Summit Entertainment just sent out a huge casting update on actors joining The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.  We now have casting news regarding The Amazon Coven, The Egyptian Coven, The Irish Coven, The Romanian Coven, The American Nomads, and The European Nomads.  Some of these names we've heard before like Lee Pace playing Garrett and Rami Malek playing Benjamin.

Newcomers to the franchise include Tracey Heggins, Judi Shekoni, Omar Metwally, Andrea Gabriel, Angela Sarafyan, Marlane Barnes, Lisa Howard, Patrick Brennan, Noel Fisher, Guri Weinberg, Toni Trucks, Bill Tangradi, Erik Odom, Valorie Curry, and Joe Anderson.  Hit the jump for a full casting breakdown plus notes on each group.  The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn has been split into two parts.  Part I opens November 18, 2011 while Part II is set for November 16, 2012.

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(All descriptions are from a press release sent out by Summit Entertainment.)

THE AMAZON COVEN

  • Tracey Heggins (Things Fall Apart) as Senna.
  • Judi Shekoni (EastEnders) as Zafrina.

Among the oldest vampires in the world, Senna and Zafrina are descendants of an ancient Amazonian tribe.  They have lived outside of civilization for centuries and therefore make no attempt to keep up a human facade. Though they drink human blood, the Amazons have long been allies of Carlisle.

THE EGYPTIAN COVEN

  • Omar Metwally (Rendition) as Amun.
  • Andrea Gabriel (Lost) as Kebi.
  • Rami Malek (The Pacific) as Benjamin.
  • Angela Sarafyan (The Good Guys) as Tia.

The Egyptian Coven consists of Amun, Kebi, Benjamin, and Tia, with Amun as the leader. It is stated that even though they are not a biological family, they could pass for one. Amun is extremely protective of his family and fearful of Aro.

THE IRISH COVEN

  • Marlane Barnes (The Tree of Life) as Maggie.
  • Lisa Howard as Siobhan.
  • Patrick Brennan as Liam.

The Irish Coven, a relatively young group, was founded by Siobhan and Liam, but Maggie's talent made her an important element of it. They are not vegetarian but they are civilized.

THE ROMANIAN COVEN

  • Noel Fisher (The Pacific) as Vladimir.
  • Guri Weinberg (Munich) as Stefan.

The Romanian Coven is one of the oldest covens in the world and they were the ruling vampire family until they were unseated by the Volturi.  For that reason they harbor a centuries old resentment of the Italian coven.

THE AMERICAN NOMADS

  • Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) as Garrett.
  • Toni Trucks (Music and Lyrics) as Mary.
  • Bill Tangradi (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles as Randall.
  • Erik Odom (The Dead Ones) as Peter.
  • Valorie Curry (Veronica Mars) as Charlotte.

Turned during the Revolutionary War, Garrett has chosen to live a nomadic existence, wandering the world on his own. Garrett has never lost the rebellious spirit of his human life, and loves a good fight, always rooting for the underdog. Though not a vegetarian, Garrett is among Carlisle's closest and oldest friends.

Mary and Randall are American nomadic vampires.

Peter and Charlotte are nomadic vampires and mates.  They were created during the aftermath of the Southern Vampire Wars, in which Jasper was a key player.  They have remained friends with Jasper ever since.

THE EUROPEAN NOMADS

  • Joe Anderson (The Crazies) as Alistair.

A nomadic vampire from England, Alistair has a misanthropic, brooding personality and a deep mistrust of all authority.  Although he counts Carlisle as his closest acquaintance, he doesn’t visit more than once a century.

And, as previously reported:

THE DENALI COVEN

  • Maggie Grace (Taken) as Irina Denali
  • MyAnna Buring (The Descent) is Tanya, the leader of the clan who has a crush on Edward.
  • Casey LaBow (Skateland) is Kate, who can produce an electric current that shocks anyone she touches.
  • Christian Camargo (Dexter) is Eleazar, a Spaniard who has a knack for identifying the fits of others.
  • Mia Maestro (Poseidon) is Carmen, the kind mate of Eleazar who appears to know many languages.