WiC readers figure out all THREE!

George has just confirmed two actors out readers came up with as an answer to his casting clues. We have Lord John Arryn, who will appear in a flashback, and Ser Alliser Thorne. GRRM exaplains the clues, first for Arryn:

“The first never says a word in the books.” No, not Ilyn Payne. (I told you he hadn’t been cast yet). It’s Lord Jon Arryn. Who is dead before the books begin. We do hear others quoting things he said, but never from Lord Arryn himself. But in the series, he will appear on screen in a flashback scene.

“The first flew by night to find the truth.” In my Hugo-losing novella “Nightflyers,” the scientist Karoly d’Branin leads an expedition to find the truth behind the legendary volcryn, voagers through interstellar space. In the 1987 film NIGHTFLYERS his name his changed to Michael d’Branin, and he is portrayed by the fine British actor JOHN STANDING. Sir John Standing is a distinguished veteran of stage and screen, and the descendant of a great British acting family. We’re incredibly honored to have him as Jon Arryn. And hey, maybe he’s even forgiven me for NIGHTFLYERS.

Then for Thorne:

“The third birthed a monkey, a pimple, and a loon.” Yes, it’s Ser Alliser Thorne, master-at-arms at Castle Black, who fastens those nicknames on three of the young recruits that he is training.

“The third was a supervillain, and once ambled amongst oak trees and hollies, where he might have come across a golden rose.” Playing the part of Ser Alliser we have DEREK HALLIGAN, who played the supervillain Dr. Nightshade in TONIGHT WE FLY, and also appeared in the British soap opera HOLLYOAKS, where he might have encountered Finn Jones, our Knight of Flowers (the golden rose). His reading was lights out. I sure wouldn’t want him chewing my ass in medieval boot camp.

The third one remains unveiled, and we are apparently not even close. Happy guessing! George concludes with promising a bunch of new casting announcements with terrific actors soon, likely to arrive through other channels. For your convenience, the left-over clues:

• a lord
• gave up one lordship and received another
• is a merry man from the god of war

Hear Me Roar: Congratulations to those who got it right! This time around, it is Nymeria with cOvenant, and Mormegil who enter the immortal ranks. We now know we definitely get at least one flashback in the series, too. Exciting stuff. I expect the readers will soon home in on the actor in the role that remains, now that they can concentrate their effor on just the one. After all the promises, I am now seriously excited to get that big announcement (in volume or in names).

UPDATE: Clues cracked! GRRM has confirmed that the guess of James Cosmo for Jeor Mormont is correct. Congrats to Tysnow for puzzling out this one!

Damn, you guys are good.

Yes, you got it. The third and final part I hinted at is the Old Bear, Lord Commander Jeor Mormont, and the actor playing him is the fabulous James Cosmo.

I knew that I referenced BRAVEHEART or TROY or any of his other numerous film credits, you folks would use IMDB and ferret him out in seconds, so I went all the way to my childhood as a funny book fan for a clue — a short-lived comic that lasted only six issues half a century ago, called COSMO THE MERRY MARTIAN.

As for James Cosmo, well, he really doesn’t need much in the way of introduction.

I wish I could show you his audition. He blew away a dozen other strong contenders, including some very fine actors and household names. He will be an AMAZING Old Bear.

• Published on 07/16/2010 at 2:06 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 5:14 PM CDT