The pilot for HBO’s adaptation of A Game of Thrones, the first book in George RR Martin’s mostly unreadable A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series, has nabbed some new cast members. Most notable is the addition of Sean Bean in the lead role of Lord Eddard ‘Ned’ Stark, bringing Bean back to the sword and sorcery genre he was a part of in The Lord of the Rings.

Peter Dinklage is also starring, and someone named Kit Harrington is playing Jon Snow, the show’s other big lead*. Harry Lloyd, who played Will Scarlet in the really awful TV series Robin Hood will be Viserys.

Tom McCarthy, director of The Station Agent and The Visitor is helming the pilot, which was developed by David Benioff, so at least the TV talent is strong, unlike the literary talent.

via Hollywood Reporter

*I don’t know who Kit Harrington is. I looked him up and the only person who came up was this guy: