It’s still nearly two months away from the debut of season three of HBO’s Game of Thrones, but these new character images should help pass the time.  Featuring new looks at old characters and first looks at new cast additions, these images showcase the outstanding costume design that’s been a hallmark of the series.  Fan-favorite Peter Dinklage returns with a whole new look while we get our first introductions to such new players as Clive Russell (Sherlock Holmes) as Catelyn Stark’s dutiful uncle, Bryndon Tully (“The Blackfish”) and Paul Kaye (Match Point) as Thoros of Myr, a red priest of the same order as Stannis’ go-to sorceress Melisandre, plus a lot more.  Hit the jump to check them out.  Game of Thrones returns to HBO starting March 31st.

Although HBO’s third season of Game of Thrones won’t kick-off until March 31st, their regular video blogs have given fans some insight into the daily workings of the production. A new behind-the-scenes featurette is no different as it shows off a good deal of footage of both fan-favorite characters we’ve come to know and love so far, plus new additions to the cast.  The cast and crew also provide commentary on the production of the season and what they’re excited for viewers to see.  Hopefully it won’t be too long before we finally get a real trailer.  Hit the jump to watch the new featurette for season three of Game of Thrones. 

The casting call for Season 3 of HBO’s resident fantasy-drama (but mostly drama) Game of Thrones was always going to be a big’un, as creators David Benioff and Dan Weiss face the challenge of further expanding George R.R. Martin’s already-unruly world; early word had the cast growing by at least 11. Today at Comic-Con, HBO officially revealed 14 new combatants in the Game of Thrones, with more announcements still to come. While many of them had already leaked out in the days leading up to the event, the biggest news is certainly that Dame Diana Rigg, best known for the 1960s British series The Avengers, has been tapped for the role of fan favorite Olenna Tyrell (aka Olenna Redwyne, aka “The Queen of Thorns”).

Hit the jump for more on Olenna and all the other new faces you’ll be seeing in Westeros next spring, including an introductory video screened at the Con. Also, click over to Matt Goldberg’s recap of the Game of Thrones panel to see what cast and crew had to say about the show.