If you’ve read George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, you’re already familiar with Oberyn Martell, the Dornish prince also known as the Red Viper. If you haven’t read the books, you’re going to get to know Oberyn quite well in the upcoming fourth season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. The Red Viper figures significantly into the plot of A Storm of Swords, the third book in the series, but his role in the TV series was pushed into season four just because there’s so much ground to cover in that third book (and likely because HBO doesn’t want to produce seasons too quickly and catch up with Martin’s writing too soon). This week Game of Thrones’ showrunners announced that Pedro Pascal will be playing Oberyn Martell. He’s appeared recently on Graceland and Red Widow, and he also has made appearances on Nikita and Burn Notice.
The next season of Game of Thrones should begin production soon and likely will premiere in April 2014 on HBO.
