Kevan Lannister

Ser Kevan Lannister is a recurring character in Game of Thrones. He is played by guest star Ian Gelder and débuts in the eighth episode of the first season. Kevan Lannister is a loyal adviser to his brother Lord Tywin Lannister. He is fighting for Tywin and their nephew King Joffrey Baratheon in the War of the Four Kings.

Background
Kevan is the second son of the late Lord Tytos Lannister. He is the brother of Lord Tywin Lannister the head of House Lannister and Lord of Casterly Rock. Kevan is married to Dorna Lannister and they have a son Lancel, who is a squire to King Robert Baratheon. He is a noted knight who serves his elder brother loyally as an adviser.

Season 1
Whilst talking with his mother on how to handle the North should it come to conflict with the Starks, Prince Joffrey muses on crushing the Northerners with a new 'Royal Army' and giving Winterfell to his Uncle Kevan (actually his grand-uncle) to rule over. Cersei dismisses the plan as impractical. Kevan is also referred to as a half wit with a stutter by King Robert when he taunts Lancel about his alliterative name.

Ser Kevan is part of his brother's strategy meeting as they debate how to meet the threat posed by the Stark army, which is rushing south to meet them in battle. He appraises Tyrion of the tactical situation. He is amused when the sellsword Bronn makes a quip, unlike his stone-faced brother. He is later part of Tywin's pre-battle strategy meeting, where Tywin places Tyrion in the vanguard of his army to the latter's disquiet.

Following the Lannister defeat at the Battle of the Whispering Wood and the capture of Kevan's nephew, Jaime Lannister, Kevan joins Tywin's council as they discuss their next move. Kevan indicates that their position is in danger of being outflanked. Tywin agrees and orders the Lannister army to fall back on Harrenhal.

In the books
In the Song of Ice and Fire novels, Ser Kevan is a solid, reliable and serious man, apparently happy living in his elder brother's shadow. He is loyal to his brother, loves his wife and children and is proud of his family and heritage. He is married to the Lady Dorna of House Swyft. As well as Lancel he has two younger sons, Willem and Martyn, and a young daughter, Janei.