There will be nine new characters to be introduced in the Game of Thrones TV series starting Season 5 according to HBO during a panel discussion at last week's San Diego Comic-Con, but to the disappointment of fans of the George RR Martin novels, 'Arianne Martell,' niece of the slain Prince Oberyn and heiress to the kingdom of Dorne in the book, is not one of them.
The nine additions to the cast include Alexander Siddig as 'Doran Martell,'the, ruler of Dorne and older brother of Oberyn, and Toby Sebastian as 'Trystane Martell,', the youngest son of Doran and the heir to the throne in the HBO announcement. DeObia Oparei will reprise the role of 'Areo Hotah,' a loyal protector of Doran. Previously, Game of Thrones executive producers David Beniof and D.B. Weis have already confirmed that Season 5 will have a storyline on Dorne in the aftermath of Oberyn's death.
The Dorne storyline will include an arc covering the feared 'Sand Snake Sisters,' Oberyn's illegitimate daughters who will be plotting revenge for their father's death. Playing the 'Sand Snake Sisters' are Keish Castle-Hughes as 'Obara Sands,' Jessica Henwick as 'Nymeria Sands,' and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers as 'Tyene Sands.'
Jonathan Pryce, has been cast as the 'High Sparrow,' the leader of a religious movement which will be stirrin up things in King's Landing against the Lannisters.
Nell Tiger Free will reprise the role of 'Myrcella Baratheon,' the daughter of Cersei and Jaime who was shipped off by her uncle Tyrion Dorne in Season 2.
Rounding up the cast of new characters, Enzo Cilenti will play 'Yezzan zo Quaggaz,' a slave trader and one of the elite rulers at Slavers' Bay.
Game of Thrones will return to TV screens on April 2015 for its Season 5.
