Carice van Houten (born 5 September 1976) is a Dutch award-winning actress, best-known to English-speaking audiences for her roles in Repo Men, Valkyrie and Black Death (alongside Game of Thrones actors Sean Bean and Emun Elliott). She has won five Golden Calf (Dutch: Gouden Kalf) awards for acting. She recently starred in the award winning movie Undercover Kitty. A very popular actress in the Netherlands, she starred in the lead role of Black Book, the most commercially successful Dutch film in history.
In Game of Thrones Van Houten is playing the role of Melisandre of Asshai. She was confirmed in the role on 19 July 2011. She is a new starring cast member for the second season. Van Houten discussed her role in an interview with Cyril Falisse from the Ferryman Critical on February 22, 2012. She said "I think I am only in episodes 1, 2, 4 and 10 or something. You are not going to see me that much but in season 3 that we are going to shoot this summer I'll come back with a vengeance." Regarding her role she said "I'm [Stannis'] right hand. I manipulate him. I take the decisions for him almost. I wouldn't say I'm a very sympathetic character. I have a great wig, great red hair. I hope I did it right."[1]
Carice van Houten was previously asked to audition for a different role when Season 1 was shot, but schedule conflicts prevented her from auditioning. She was asked to come back to audition during shooting of season 2, and was cast as Melisandre. [2]
Van Houten made a parody appearance as Melisandre in a 2016 skit on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[3]
Carice van Houten on Wikipedia
