Casting Game of Thrones - Season 2: Xaro Xhoan Daxos

HBO's Game of Thrones premiered Sunday, April 17th to rave reviews and decent ratings. That combination was enough for the network to officially greenlight a second season. We'll be getting at least 10 more episodes in the spring of 2012, covering the events of the second book, A Clash of Kings.


If you've read the series, you know that means we'll be seeing a host of new characters, in addition to the favorites who managed to survive season 1. I've always been a huge fan of casting speculation, so I'm channeling my excitement for season 2 into a series of posts where I cast the major roles. And don't forget, Sean Bean and Peter Dinklage were the fan favorites to play Ned & Tyrion, so who knows, maybe I'll actually get one right along the way.

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Xaro Xhoan Daxos

No picture of this character, couldn't find a good one anywhere on the web.  Xaro is a new character Daenerys meets in A Clash of Kings.  He is a merchant from Qarth, whose people are called "Milk Men" by the Dothraki.  This is because the the Qartheen are very tall and very pale.  He is described as "bald with a jewel in his nose." - (from Tower of the Hand)


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Paul Bettany

This will probably be one of my most controversial picks, but I'm ok with that.  Paul Bettany is a great actor, and has worked strictly in movies for the last decade.  Unfortunately, none of his starring roles have been very successful to date.  He is probably best known as Silas from The Da Vinci Code, Dr. Maturin in Master and Commander, or Charles from A Beautiful Mind.  My favorite role of his is probably Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight's Tale.  He has recently starred in Creation, Legion, and Priest. 


I know some people will say he's much too famous to play a relatively minor part on a television show.  First, it's not TV, it's HBO.  Second, he doesn't seem to have any parts lined up currently, so there's nothing professionally keeping him from Ireland.  Third, he's worked with Mark Addy, so he has a personal connection who could tell him what a blast the first season was.  Finally, it couldn't hurt his image right now.  As I said, his starring roles haven't gone over well, and GoT is a dynamo right now.  This is the kind of fan base that will follow him to future roles simply because he was a part of "their show".  Bettany could put in a month in Ireland, have a blast, and be part of something really groundbreaking in television history.

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NEXT TIME:  Not sure who I'll go with next.  I keep hoping they'll announce an actress for Brienne, but maybe if they haven't by next week I'll break down and pick the Maid of Tarth.


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PREVIOUS GoT S2 CASTING SPECULATION:
Stannis Baratheon
Melisandre
Edmure Tully
Asha Greyjoy
Davos Seaworth
Margaery Tyrell
Balon Greyjoy
Ygritte
Jaqen H'ghar
Qhorin Halfhand