HBO have sent out a new press release today revealing many details about what we can expect from season 4 of Game Of Thrones. Beginning with an overall plot synopsis of the season and ending with some interesting details about the first four episodes.
As ever, if you're not into spoilers then best stop reading now.
Everyone else, carry on...
Encouraged by the Red Wedding slaughter in the Riverlands that wiped
out many of their Stark nemeses, the Lannisters’ hold on the Iron Throne
remains intact…but can they survive their own egos, as well as new and
ongoing threats from the south, north and east?
While an unbowed Stannis
Baratheon continues to rebuild his army in Dragonstone, a more
immediate danger comes from the south, as Oberyn Martell, the
Lannister-loathing “Red Viper of Dorne,” arrives at King’s Landing to
attend Joffrey’s wedding to Margaery Tyrell, and perhaps act on an
ulterior agenda.
In the north, a depleted Night’s Watch seems
overmatched against the inexorable Wall advances of Mance Rayder’s army
of wildlings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable
foe: the undead White Walkers.
As if that weren’t enough, Daenerys
Targaryen, accompanied by her menacing trio of dragons and army of
Unsullied, is poised to liberate Meereen, the largest city in Slaver’s
Bay, which could ultimately provide her with enough ships to sail to
Westeros and reclaim the Iron Throne.
The Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning GAME OF THRONES returns for its
ten-episode fourth season SUNDAY, APRIL 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT),
exclusively on HBO, followed by other episodes on subsequent Sundays at
the same time.
Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George
R.R. Martin, the hit series is an epic story of treachery and nobility
set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last
years, and only the lust for power is eternal.
Returning series regulars on GAME OF THRONES this season include:
Emmy® and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Nikolaj
Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Emilia
Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister), Aidan
Gillen (Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish), Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon),
Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Diana Rigg (Lady Olenna Tyrell), Sophie
Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Isaac Hempstead
Wright (Bran Stark).
Additional returning series regulars this season include: Alfie Allen
(Theon Greyjoy), Jerome Flynn (Bronn), Conleth Hill (Varys), John
Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Liam
Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon),
Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont), Kristofer
Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane), Sibel Kekilli (Shae), Rose Leslie (Ygritte),
Rory McCann (Sandor “The Hound” Clegane), Michael McElhatton (Roose
Bolton), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Snow) and Carice van Houten (Melisandre).
Returning cast members include: Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Thomas
Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed), Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Ciaran
Hinds (Mance Rayder), Finn Jones (Loras Tyrell), Ellie Kendrick (Meera
Reed), Kristian Nairn (Hodor) and Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy).
New cast members for the fourth season include: Pedro Pascal (Oberyn
Martell), Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand, Oberyn’s paramour), Roger
Ashton-Griffiths (Lord Mace Tyrell), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis, a
mercenary ally to Daenerys), Yuri Kolokolnikov (Styr, a wildlings chief)
and Hafþór JúlÃus Björnsson (Ser Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. “The
Mountain”).
April’s episodes:
Episode #31: “Two Swords”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) welcomes a guest to King’s Landing. At Castle
Black, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) finds himself unwelcome. Dany (Emilia
Clarke) is pointed to Meereen, the mother of all slave cities. Arya
(Maisie Williams) runs into an old friend.
Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss; directed by D. B. Weiss.
Episode #32: “The Lion and the Rose”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 13 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Tyrion lends Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) a hand. Joffrey (Jack
Gleeson) and Margaery (Natalie Dormer) host a breakfast. At Dragonstone,
Stannis (Stephen Dillane) loses patience with Davos (Liam Cunningham).
Ramsay (Iwan Rheon) finds a purpose for his pet. North of the Wall, Bran
(Isaac Hempstead Wright) sees where they must go.
Written by George R.R. Martin; directed by Alex Graves.
Episode #33: “Breaker of Chains”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Tyrion ponders his options. Tywin (Charles Dance) extends an olive
branch. Sam (John Bradley) realizes Castle Black isn’t safe, and Jon
proposes a bold plan. The Hound (Rory McCann) teaches Arya the way
things are. Dany chooses her champion.
Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss; directed by Alex Graves.
Episode #34: “Oathkeeper”
Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 27 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Dany balances justice and mercy. Jaime tasks Brienne (Gwendoline
Christie) with his honor. Jon secures volunteers while Bran, Jojen
(Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Meera (Ellie Kendrick) and Hodor (Kristian
Nairn) stumble on shelter.
Written by Bryan Cogman; directed by Michelle MacLaren.
Game of Thrones returns Sunday April 6th.