Season 3

Season 3 of Game of Thrones was commissioned on 10 April 2012, following a major increase in audience figures between the first two seasons. It consists of ten episodes and began filming on 10 July 2012. . It concluded filming on 24 November 2012. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will return as executive producers and show runners.

The season will premiere on 31 March, 2013.

Season 3 will be based on A Storm of Swords, the third novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin. However, whilst the first two seasons roughly corresponded to the first two books, the sheer length of the third novel (almost half again the length of the first by word count) makes this impossible. As a result, the events of the novel will be split over the third and a potential fourth season. Some events from the third novel were also moved into the final episodes of the second season to help facilitate this.

Plot
Season 3 spans several months on a world where the seasons can last for years at a time. Autumn has fallen across the world, with winter not far behind. The people should be preparing for years of snow and ice, but the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros instead remain gripped by civil war. Would-be king Renly Baratheon has been assassinated, altering the alliances in the war. The cruel boy-king Joffrey Baratheon has won a great victory by securing an alliance with House Tyrell, with his supporters defeating his uncle Stannis in an epic battle. Joffrey now commands the largest armies in the realm and his triumph appears inevitable.

King Robb Stark remains in the field, however his homeland, the North, is partially under ironborn occupation. Robb needs to decide on a course of action to win an overall victory. He must also win back the allegiance of House Frey, whom he has offended by breaking his marriage pact to them. King Robb has won every battle he has fought, but as with old King Robert, the Starks will have to see if good soldiers make good kings.

Stannis Baratheon may be defeated and most of his army destroyed or scattered, but he is not out of the fight yet. Having retreated to his headquarters on Dragonstone island with his handful of surviving soldiers, Stannis' status as the last legitimate heir to his older brother Robert still casts a shadow over Joffrey's claim to the throne. With the priestess Melisandre at his side, Stannis can still influence the course of the war by striking where least expected.

The lives of many others still hang in the balance. Bran Stark and his protectors must cross the frozen wastelands of the North to reach the Wall, whilst Arya must brave the war-torn Riverlands in search of her mother and brother. Brienne also has the thankless task of taking the captive Jaime Lannister home across hundreds of miles of battlefields and carnage. Theon Greyjoy must face the consequences of his actions at Winterfell. And in King's Landing both Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark must brave the currents of a much more dangerous court in order to survive.

On the eastern continent, Daenerys Targaryen has fled the political viper-pit of Qarth. Her dragons are growing and her fame is spreading, but to take the Iron Throne she will need supporters and an army. Both may be found in the corrupt cities of Slaver's Bay... for a price.

Beyond the Wall, the White Walkers are on the move, threatening both the Seven Kingdoms and the lands of the Free Folk. While the Night's Watch faces the threat of the White Walkers in the field, Jon Snow must infiltrate the wildling army of Mance Rayder and discover the King-Beyond-the-Wall's plans.

Production
The series has again been filmed primarily in Northern Ireland, and has also returned to Iceland and Croatia. The production also added Morocco to the locations roster. A couple of scenes, involving a trained bear, were shot in Los Angeles for safety and legal reasons. The production expanded to three production units, adding a new "Raven" unit to the existing "Dragon" and "Wolf" units.

Production in Croatia continued to use the walled medieval city of Dubrovnik to film external scenes for King's Landing, and Iceland was again used to film scenes set in the frozen lands that Jon Snow and the Night's Watch encounter Beyond the Wall. Production in the new location of Morocco filmed Daenerys Targaryen's new storyline in Slaver's Bay as well as some King's Landing exterior shots. The Los Angeles scenes are, in the book, set in Harrenhal.

Returning
All cast members whose characters survive the events of Season 2 are expected to return for the third season.

Starring cast
 * Emilia Clarke as Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen, called "Daenerys Stormborn" and "Mother of Dragons".
 * Michelle Fairley as Lady Catelyn Stark.
 * Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister, called "the Kingslayer".
 * Alfie Allen as Prince Theon Greyjoy.
 * Natalie Dormer as Lady Margaery Tyrell.
 * Jack Gleeson as King Joffrey Baratheon.
 * Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth, called "the Onion Knight".
 * Aidan Gillen as Lord Petyr Baelish, called "Littlefinger".
 * Kit Harington as Jon Snow
 * Charles Dance as Lord Tywin Lannister.
 * John Bradley as Samwell Tarly.
 * Richard Madden as King Robb Stark, called "the Young Wolf".
 * Stephen Dillane as King Stannis Baratheon.
 * Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister.
 * Lena Headey as Queen Cersei Lannister.
 * Sophie Turner as Princess Sansa Stark.
 * Maisie Williams as Princess Arya Stark
 * Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Prince Bran Stark
 * Carice van Houten as Melisandre, called "the Red Woman".
 * Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont, called "Jorah the Andal".
 * Jerome Flynn as Bronn
 * Sibel Kekilli as Shae
 * James Cosmo as Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
 * Conleth Hill as Varys, called "the Spider"
 * Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane, called "The Hound"
 * Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth.
 * Rose Leslie as Ygritte.

Recurring cast
 * Joe Dempsie as Gendry.
 * Finn Jones as Ser Loras Tyrell, called "the Knight of the Flowers".
 * Steven Cole as Kovarro.
 * Eugene Simon as Ser Lancel Lannister.
 * Josef Altin as Pyp.
 * Luke McEwan as Rast.
 * Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy, called "Barristan the Bold".
 * Kate Dickie as Lady Lysa Arryn, Lady Regent of the Vale.
 * Lino Facioli as Lord Robin Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie.
 * Ian Whyte as Ser Gregor Clegane, called "the Mountain that Rides", and another TBA role.
 * Natalia Tena as Osha.
 * Hannah Murray as Gilly.
 * Kristian Nairn as Hodor
 * Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle
 * Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne
 * Esme Bianco as Ros
 * Ian Beattie as Ser Meryn Trant
 * David Bradley as Lord Walder Frey, the Lord of the Crossing.
 * Oona Chaplin as Queen Talisa Maegyr
 * Edward Dogliani as the Lord of Bones
 * Robert Pugh as Craster
 * John Stahl as Lord Rickard Karstark
 * Laura Pradelska as Quaithe
 * Art Parkinson as Prince Rickon Stark
 * Kelly Long as Lady Joyeuse Erenford
 * Sophie O'Brien as prostitute
 * Michael McElhatton as Lord Roose Bolton
 * Ian Gelder as Ser Kevan Lannister
 * Ben Crompton as Eddison Tollett, called "Dolorous Edd"
 * Gemma Whelan as Princess Yara Greyjoy

Clive Mantle's agent confirmed that he will not reprise his role as Greatjon Umber in Season 3.

New additions

 * Kerry Ingram as Princess Shireen Baratheon (announced 1 June 2012)
 * Charlotte Hope as Myranda (announced 28 June 2012)
 * Clive Russell as Ser Brynden Tully, also called "the Blackfish" (announced 30 June 2012)
 * Dame Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Redwyne, also called "the Queen of Thorns" (announced 12 July 2012)
 * Mackenzie Crook as Orell (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Paul Kaye as Thoros of Myr (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jojen Reed (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Ellie Kendrick as Meera Reed (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Richard Dormer as Lord Beric Dondarrion (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Philip McGinley as Anguy (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Tara Fitzgerald as Queen Selyse Baratheon (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Tobias Menzies as Lord Edmure Tully (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Anton Lesser as Qyburn (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Iwan Rheon as "Boy" (announced 20 July 2012)
 * Tom Brooke as Lothar Frey, also called "Lame Lothar" (announced 2 August 2012)
 * Elisa Lasowski as Mirelle (announced 4 August 2012)
 * Ciarán Hinds as Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-the-Wall (announced 17 August 2012)
 * Dan Hildebrand as Kraznys mo Nakloz (announced 18 August 2012)
 * Ramon Tikaram as Prendahl na Ghezn (announced 18 August 2012)
 * Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis (announced 20 August 2012)
 * Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm (announced 20 August 2012)
 * Stephanie Blacker as Violet (announced 30 August 2012)
 * Will Rastall as Tyrell Server (announced 1 October 2012)
 * Noah Taylor as Locke (announced 3 October 2012)
 * Aishling Jarrett-Gavin as Tyrell handmaid (announced 10 October 2012)
 * Rhys Howells as Unsullied (confirmed 23 October 2012)
 * Jamie Michie as Steelshanks (announced 31 October 2012)
 * Rickard Nordstrand as Unsullied (confirmed 31 October 2012)
 * Will Champion as Drummer (announced 5 November 2012)
 * Alexandra Dowling as Roslin Frey (announced 11 November 2012)
 * Tim Plester as Black Walder Frey (announced 12 November 2012)
 * Mark Killeen as Mero, also called "the Titan's Bastard"(announced 3 December 2012)
 * Burn Gorman as a member of the Night's Watch (confirmed 10 January 2013)
 * Dean-Charles Chapman as TBA (announced February 7 2013)
 * Oddie Braddell as Ser Wendel Manderly (announced February 9 2013)
 * Pixie Le Knot as prostitute (announced February 9 2013)
 * Shaun Blaney as young captive
 * David Grenfell as Bolton officer
 * Mark Drake as Astapori slave
 * Johnny Phair as Bolton troop

Casting
David Benioff and Dan Weiss confirmed several casting calls in May 2012. So far all announced roles have been cast, though as shootings are still ongoing, new roles may be revealed.

Crew
Director and producer Alan Taylor will not be returning due to his commitments on the film  Thor: The Dark World.

Producers

 * David Benioff: executive producer.
 * D.B. Weiss: executive producer.
 * Carolyn Strauss: executive producer.
 * Frank Doelger: executive producer.
 * Bernie Caufield: executive producer.
 * Guymon Casady: co-executive producer.
 * George R.R. Martin: co-executive producer.
 * Vince Geradis: co-executive producer.
 * Vanessa Taylor: co-executive producer.
 * Chris Newman: Producer
 * Greg Spence: Producer

Writers

 * David Benioff & D.B. Weiss: episode 1, 3-4, 6, 8-10.
 * Bryan Cogman: episodes 5.
 * Vanessa Taylor: episode 2.
 * George R.R. Martin: episode 7.

Directors

 * Daniel Minahan: episodes 1 and 2.
 * David Benioff & D.B. Weiss: episode 3
 * Alex Graves: episodes 4 and 5.
 * Alik Sakharov: episode 6.
 * Michelle MacLaren: episodes 7 and 8.
 * David Nutter: episodes 9 and 10.

Image gallery
HBO have released a range of promotional images and posters to market the third season.