Huge Game of Thrones casting news! Producers have filled the two biggest new roles of the show’s second season — a mysterious sorceress and a powerful contender for the Iron Throne.

These two major roles are paired together in the story: Melisandre is a powerful woman who counsels the late King Robert’s eldest younger brother, Stannis Baratheon, in his quest to claim the Iron Throne. She’s described as a seductive force possessing prophetic powers who’s willing to impose her religion on the world by any means necessary. Stannis, meanwhile, believes himself to be the Iron Throne’s rightful heir and is described as humorless and authoritative, with a strict moral code (his younger brother Renly, who also wants to be king, memorably described Stannis in the first season as having “the personality of a lobster”). But Stannis is gradually succumbing to the power of his newfound religion.

Melisandre will be played by Carice van Houten, a Dutch stage and film actress. She’s appeared in the movies Valkyrie and Repo Men. I think you’ll agree she looks just about perfect for Melisandre.

And Stannis will be played by… British actor Stephen Dillane, a talented Shakespearian thespian, best known to U.S. audiences by playing Thomas Jefferson in HBO’s John Adams.

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The final major new role on HBO’s Game of Thrones has been filled: Irish actor Liam Cunningham has landed the part of Davos for the show’s second season.

Cunningham has appeared in many productions over the years, including Starz’ now defunct Camelot, the recent Clash of the Titans remake and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

A fan favorite from George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire novels, Davos Seaworth is a family man and former smuggler. He earned the nickname “The Onion Knight” after successfully getting food into Stannis Baratheon’s besieged castle during the war that put Robert Baratheon on the Iron Throne. The authoritarian Stannis gave Davos a knighthood for his actions — but also shortened some of his fingers for his criminal past. In season two, Stannis enlists Davos to help him seize the Iron Throne from King Joffrey.

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Game of Thrones is filming the new season in Europe right now, with a spring 2012 debut planned on HBO.

HBO will be hosting a Game of Thrones panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 21st.