Wow, and we thought the season 1 cast was big. Although a few characters were killed off in the first season, Game of Thrones, which was just awarded Outstanding New Program by the Television Critics Association,  has been filling our news feeds with season 2 casting news. Including news that just came out today, here is the latest on casting:

As first confirmed by TV Guide, the inimitable Roy Dotrice, the British actor who has been in a billion seven things but especially Hellboy II and the Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton Beauty and the Beast tv series, will play Pyromancer Hallyne, the Chief of the Guild of Alchemists. Hannah Murray (British Skins) has been set to play Gilly, one of the women living with Old Craster who wants to escape his oppression. The newest addition, as reported by Access Hollywood, is British actor Ben Crompton (Man Stroke Woman) will play Dolorous Edd, a member of the Night’s Watch.

They join this gang of other new castmates: Karl Davies (Kingdom) as Alton Lannister, German actor Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H’ghar, Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy (in the books as Asha), Nonso Anozie as Xaro Xhoan Daxos, Liam Cunningham as Davos, Stephen Dillane as Robert Baratheon’s heir and brother, Stannis, Dutch actress Carice van Houten as the red priestess Melisandre, Gwendoline Christie as Brienne, knight to Renly Baratheon, and “Tudors” actress Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell, Renly’s wife.

That’s an even dozen. We have a lot of characters to meet next season.

Here’s something very special if you were a fan of season one. A video montage of the visual effects created by Blue Bolt (and accompanied by that gorgeous theme song):

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcqY2AFNa08&hd=1[/youtube]

Game of Thrones is currently shooting season 2 for HBO.