Dame Diana Rigg has joined Game of Thrones.
The Avengers actress will play Olenna Tyrell – otherwise known as the Queen of Thorns, the powerful matriarch of the Tyrell family – on the HBO show’s third season.
In a number of casting announcements made at Comic-Con 2012, Office star Mackenzie Crook and Waking the Dead‘s Tara Fitzgerald were confirmed for the show, as had previously been rumoured.
Crook will play wildling raider Orell, while Fitzgerald will portray Stannis Baratheon’s wife Selyse Florent.
As had also been expected, Clive Russell will appear as Bryndon “The Blackfish” Tully, a famous knight and the uncle of Catelyn Stark, and Kerry Ingram takes on Shireen Baratheon, the only child of Stannis Baratheon.
It was also announced that Game of Thrones season three will premiere on HBO on March 31, 2013. In the UK, the show airs on Sky Atlantic.
Elsewhere, Nathalie Emannuel will feature as Missandei, who became a translator to the slave trader Kraznys in Astapor; Tobias Menzies stars as Edmure Tully, the younger brother of Catelyn Stark; and Anton Lesser portrays Qyburn, a former maester of the Citadel, who was stripped of his chain years ago.
Paul Kaye will play Thoros of Myr, a member of the outlaw band the Brotherhood Without Banners; Thomas Brodie-Sangster stars as Jojen Reed, a mysterious young man who helps Bran Stark; and Richard Dormer portrays Beric Dondarrion, the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners.
Finally, Ellie Kendirck is Meera Reed, the eldest daughter of Howland Reed and a fervent Stark loyalist; Kristofer Hivju will play Tormund Giantsbane, a fearsome and strong warrior, and Philip McGinley is cast as Anguy, a key member of the Brotherhood Without Banners.