Game of Thrones News: Natalie Dormer is Margaery Tyrell

Casting announcements for Season 2 of Game of Thrones are finally here!  These are the actual people HBO has hired to play the parts, not to be confused with the speculation posts I've been doing up to now.  I'll start each post with the character description (which may be recycled from a speculation post), and then we'll examine the actor who's been announced.  Let's take a look at some of the new players we'll meet in 2012:

--------

Margaery Tyrell

Art by Amok

Margaery is the only daughter of Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden and the Reach. She is slightly younger than her brother Loras, the Knight of Flowers. The Tyrells are the second wealthiest family in Westeros, behind only the Lannisters.  As the only daughter, Margaery's access to that fortune will make her an enticing pawn as the game of thrones gains steam. Margaery is described as "doe-eyed and pretty with long, curly brown hair." - (from Tower of the Hand)
























Natalie Dormer

Best known for her role as Anne Boleyn in Showtime's The Tudors, Natalie is originally from Reading, England. She just turned 29, which is definitely older than the 17yo Margaery of the books.  However, remember that many of the characters have been aged up for television.  Jon Snow is supposed to be 15 at the start of the novels, whereas on the show he seems to be at least 18.  That kind of aging doesn't get Margaery to 29, but I think it will be fine.  Natalie also played the role of Victoria in Casanova with Heath Ledger, and has a part in this summer's Captain America.  

As for my pick, I had the right show, but the wrong actress.  I wanted to go with Sarah Bolger, who played Princess Mary on The Tudors.  She's a little closer to the correct age, and I felt like she would be a bit less recognizable from her previous role, but I'm still very happy with the actual hire.  Natalie did a good job playing one type of royal woman, and it will be interesting to get to see her try a different take in Westeros. 

Bonus Pic:

What do you think, can they pass for siblings?