Roy Dotrice is Grand Maester Pycelle

George R. R. Martin has confirmed via his blog that veteran British actor Roy Dotrice has been cast as Grand Maester Pycelle.

“The old maester has lived many lives, brief but numerous. In his youth he fought in the wars that some say inspired all of this. He has been a king and a god, but he’ll always be daddy to me.”

The answer to this one will be no stranger to anyone who has ever enjoyed the series as audiobooks. Yes, it’s ROY DOTRICE, our once and future audiobook reader.

Roy is an extraordinary talent who first took up acting in a prisoner of war camp during World War II, and has been working constantly ever since. Among his many, many roles was his portrayal of King Edward IV in the classic BBC production of THE WARS OF THE ROSES. He’s also in the Guinness Book of World Records for his one-man show, the play BRIEF LIVES; most performances by an actor in a one-man show. (If you ever get a chance to see it, do. It’s a great play, and Roy is wonderful). He played Zeus in HERCULES and XENA. But for me, of course, Roy will always be Father, the role he performed on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, where I was a writer/ producer for three seasons.

Working with Roy Dotrice for those three years was a singular honor, and one of the highlights of my decade in Hollywood. He’s the sort of actor who will take every line you write for him and make it better. Not to mention, he knows some great stories about Charles Laughton. He was my first and only choice as reader on the Ice & Fire audiobooks, and he has done an amazing job there as well… not simply reading the text, but acting it out, giving every character his or her own voice. He may be in Guinness for that as well: most voices by a single actor on an audiobook.

He goes on to confirm the news about the Hodor casting that Kristian himself already confirmed. He adds at the end what to expect from future casting announcements.

Meanwhile, casting continues. We’re close on half a dozen other roles. Some of them may be hinted at here, others will be first announced on HBO’s own GAME OF THRONES website, or through Mo Ryan, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, and the other entertainment media. Watch this space. Watch ALL those other spaces too, especially if you’re a fan of Harper Lee.

Winter Is Coming: So the fans were right. Dotrice it is and he will be playing Pycelle. This was something that many people suspected way back prior to the pilot being filmed when we got word that Pycelle was written out but that the actor chosen for the role, who was a “world-class thespian”, would return for the first season. Dotrice was the consensus choice and George’s clues just confirmed the suspicion. And a good choice it is. Dotrice is an experienced and respected actor that will no doubt put in a remarkable performance.

Also, it’s interesting to note George’s last statements, it sounds like we will have to keep on the lookout for surprise casting announcements. As always, keep it here for the latest casting news as soon as it breaks.

• Published on 06/23/2010 at 3:42 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 5:14 PM CDT