The Royal Shakespeare Company has unveiled the cast for "George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King," a new stage play based on "A Song of Ice and Fire" that is set to open next week.
The play is set a decade before the events of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series and the "Game of Thrones" television show. It primarily takes place during a dinner banquet in the waning years of King Aerys II Targaryen's rule, exploring a significant period in the franchise's history that has not been previously depicted on stage.
Michael Shaeffer will portray King Aerys II Targaryen, who is positioned at the center of a released image showcasing the play's opening-day cast in costume. Surrounding him are actors playing Ashara Dayne, Elia Martell, Rhaella Targaryen, Robert Baratheon, Lyanna Stark, Brandon Stark, Rhaegar Targaryen, and Eddard Stark. This production marks the first time some iconic characters will be recast since their appearances in the television show, a common occurrence as adaptations emerge across different media.
The full cast list for "Game of Thrones: The Mad King" includes Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark, Elizabeth Ayodele as Princess Elia Martell, Maxim Ays as Ser Jaime Lannister, Miles Barrow as Benjen Stark, Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed, Luke Brady as Brandon Stark, Marty Breen as Catelyn Stark, Sebastian Charles as Owen Merryweather, Adrian Christopher as Prince Lewyn Martell, Ronan Cullen as On-stage Swing and Puppeteer, Fred Davis as Qarlton Chelsted, Edem-Ita Duke as Oberyn Martell, Simi Egbejumi-David as Ensemble and Puppeteer, Daisy Franks as Cersei Lannister and Golda Whent, Mariah Gale as Queen Rhaella Targaryen and Lady Shella Whent, Richard Hansell as Grand Maester Pycelle, Daniel Hawksford as Ser Barristan Selmy, Lewis Howard as Ensemble and Puppeteer, April Nerissa Hudson as Ensemble and Puppeteer, Tom Larkin as Lord Whent and Wisdom Ressart, Chelsea Marie as Ensemble and Puppeteer, Kel Matsena as Ser Arthur Dayne, Shaun Yusuf McKee as Ser Gerold Hightower, Alexander Newland as Lord Rickard Stark, Hughie O'Donnell as Lord Varys, Huw Parmenter as Ser Oswell Whent, Noah Ritter as Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Harmony Rose-Brenner as Lyanna Stark, Kate Roswell as On-stage Swing and Puppeteer, Michael Shaeffer as King Aerys II Targaryen, Tanisha Spring as Ashara Dayne, Tom Stacy as On-stage Swing and Puppeteer, Matt Tait as Ensemble and Puppeteer, Tzarina-Nassor as Ensemble and Puppeteer, Marcello Walton as Ser Jonothor Darry and Lord Tywin Lannister, and Callum Woodhouse as Lord Robert Baratheon.
"George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King" will be performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from August 8 to September 5.