Varys

Varys, sometimes called The Spider, is a character in Game of Thrones. The actor playing him has not been confirmed yet but he is expected to debut in the first season of the show.

Varys, a eunuch, is a member of the King's small council, where he serves as Master of Whisperers, the King's foremost spymaster and intelligence agent. He holds no inherited land or title, but is called 'Lord' as a courtesy due to his position on the council, which traditionally is made up of great lords.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Varys is the most enigmatic member of the small council. He was apparently born as a slave in the Free City of Lys and found himself in a mummer's troupe in Pentos, where he was cut for unclear reasons. He later found his way to Westeros and rose to the position of Master of Whisperers during the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen. After the conclusion of Robert's Rebellion Varys was pardoned by King Robert Baratheon and continued to serve him as spymaster and intelligence-gatherer.

Varys is bald and tends towards fat. He has a gift for impersonation. He runs a sophisticated intelligence network based in both Westeros and across the Narrow Sea. He refers to his agents and sources of information as his 'little birds'. One of his jobs is to keep an eye on the movements of Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen and ensure they do not become a threat to King Robert's reign.