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 is expected to consist of 10 episodes and to begin filming in the summer 2012 for transmission in the spring of 2013. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will return as executive producers and show runners.

The season will debut on April, 2013.

Season 3 will be based on A Storm of Swords, the third novel in the 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 (half again the length of the first) 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.

Production
The series will again film primarily in Northern Ireland, and will also return to Iceland and Croatia. The production is also adding Morocco to the locations roster.

Cast
All cast members whose characters survive the events of Season 2 are expected to return for the third season.
 * Natalie Dormer as Lady Margaery Tyrell
 * Jack Gleeson as King Joffrey Baratheon
 * Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth

Guest stars

 * Kerry Ingram - Princess Shireen Baratheon (announced 1 June 2012)
 * Charlotte Hope - Myranda (announced 28 June 2012)
 * Clive Russell - Ser Brynden Tully, also called "the Blackfish". (announced 30 June 2012)
 * Diana Rigg - Lady Olenna Redwyne (announced 12 July 2012)
 * Mackenzie Crook - Orell (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Nathalie Emannuel - Missandei (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Paul Kaye - Thoros of Myr (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Thomas Brodie-Sangster - Jojen Reed (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Ellie Kendirck - Meera Reed (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Richard Dormer - Lord Beric Dondarrion (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Christopher Hivju - Tormund Giantsbane (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Philip McGinley - Anguy (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Tara Fitzgerald - Queen Selyse Baratheon (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Tobias Menzies - Edmure Tully (announced 13 July 2012)
 * Anton Lesser - Qyburn (announced 13 July 2012)

Casting
David Benioff and Dan Weiss confirmed casting calls.


 * Mance Rayder, the King-Beyond-the-Wall
 * Daario Naharis
 * Vargo Hoat

Producers

 * David Benioff: executive producer.
 * D.B. Weiss: executive producer.
 * George R.R. Martin: co-executive producer.

Writers

 * David Benioff & D.B. Weiss: episodes to be confirmed
 * Bryan Cogman: episodes to be confirmed
 * Vanessa Taylor: episodes to be confirmed
 * George R.R. Martin: episode 7.

Directors

 * David Nutter: episodes 9 and 10.
 * David Benioff & D.B. Weiss: episodes to be confirmed
 * Alex Graves: episodes to be confirmed
 * Michelle MacLaren: episodes to be confirmed
 * Daniel Minahan: episode 1 (at least)
 * Alik Sakharov: episodes to be confirmed