Season 02 of Homeland gets a release date

The Showtime series Homeland has gathered a lot of fans and positive reviews (not to mention awards) over the last few months.

And rightly so. It’s a cracker – great plot, great characters and great performances throughout. Damian Lewis, Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin and Dave Harewood star in the story of a US Marine sergeant who has just been rescued from 8 years as an Al-Qeada prisoner of war in Iraq. The story revolves around the question of whether he has been turned, or not, and whether his a terrorist who resent a threat to US security.

Well, the good news is that Homeland is returning for a second season later this year. It has been scheduled to premiere on Showtime on Sunday September 30th 2012.

At this stage I don’t have any info on when it will air in other countries such as the UK or Australia. Considering the buzz that is surrounding it, I would expect that it will air fairly soon after this date in both those countries.

 

 

New Game of Thrones poster, and first look at Jaqen H’ghar

With the return of Game of Thrones almost upon us, the marketing machine is in full swing now.

HBO have released a new poster. Pease look away now if you haven’t seen Season 1 yet…

Also, have our first look at Jaqen H’ghar, played by German actor Tom Wlaschiha.

Excited yet? Tune into HBO on 1st April…

Game of Thrones Season 2 to air in April in Australia

Great news for Australian fans of Game of Thrones. Showtime will air Season 2 starting with Episode 1: The North Remembers on Tuesday 10th April.

That comes just 9 days after it premieres on HBO in the US on the 1st April. The new season will air in the UK on Sky Atlantic on the 2nd April.

Of course, you’ve got to wonder why there’s any delay at all in today’s current climate of piracy and internet downloading, but at least it’s not the six months or so that Australian fans had to wait for Season 1 to air last year.

So, sit back and enjoy as we return once more to Westeros…

 

New trailer for season 2 of Game of Thrones

Under a month until the new season of Game of Thrones hits the small screens, and the HBO marketing juggernaut is now in full flow.

For those of you living under a rock in 2011 who haven’t heard of this excellent TV show, Game of Thrones is a fantasy epic based on the wonderful A Song of Ice And Fire books by George RR Martin (A Game of Thrones is actually the title of the first book in the series).

The TV show thankfully lived up to all expectations (especially for the multitude of devoted fans out there) with an amazingly well-chosen cast, typically huge HBO production values and of course great writing (ably assisted by Martin himself).

To be honest, I don’t think they could have done it better.

Season 2 sees numerous new characters (many of whom have since become firm fan favourites) and storylines being introduced. Crucial characters such as Stannos Baratheon, Melisandre, Davos Seaworth, Brienne the Beauty, Balon Greyjoy and Margaery Tyrell (to name but a few) will all make their first appearances in season 2.

So, take a look at the newest trailer – called Seven Devils – and start counting down the days to April 1st.

 

 

First photos of the new Game of Thrones characters

Well it’s not long now at all until the new season of Game of Thrones kicks off. April 1st to be exact.

Up til now there hasn’t been an awful lot of information released to whet the fans appetites. Of course they released the names of the actors playing all the new characters for the new season, but asides from a couple of behind-the-scenes teasers, there hasn’t been much else for us to get too excited about. Until now…

HBO have released official photos of some of the new characters, and I must say they’re great. We’ve known about the actors playing these characters for some time now, but to actually see me in the flesh is another matter entirely.

Let’s kick off with Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) himself, accompanied of course by none other than Melisandre (Carice Van Houten).

Next up we have Brienne the Beauty (Gwendoline Christie).

Stannis’ right-hand man, Davis the Onion Knight (Liam Cunningham).

The father of Theon, and Lord of the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide).

How’s that for starters? Satisfied? Stay posted for more shots when I get them…

 

 

Resident Evil: Retribution

What an awesome trailer! It starts off with what at first glance could be an ad for Google/Microsoft/Apple then morphs into Milla saying, “My name is Alice, and this is my world!” Classic!

There’s not a lot more to be said really. Its another Resident Evil movie – what more could you ask for? if you don’t like the Resident Evil movie series, then what are you even doing on this blog anyway?

Check out the trailer here.

Resident Evil: Retribution, the fifth installment in the series, will once again star Milla Jovovich (of course) as Alice, and will see the return of Michelle Rodriguez and Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine. Paul W.S. Anderson will once again direct.

The movie is due for release in the UK and US on the 14th September 2012, and in Australia on the 11th October 2012.

Behind the scenes of Game of Thrones Season 2

Not long now till the second season of HBO’s Game of Thrones launches in the US. April 1st to be exact!

I’m not going to pretend that I’m not a huge fan! I loved it of course. I’ve read all the books and I loved season 1 – I think they did a great job at transforming George RR Martin’s epic into a TV mini series.

So, without further ado, have a look at a small behind-the-scenes teaser from Dubrovnik in Croatia…

 

 

Game of Thrones Season 2, all the new cast members: Part 4, Margaery and Brienne

And finally I round off my recap of all the new cast members for Game of Thrones with two of the most important new characters, Margaery and Brienne. Plus a few odds and ends thrown in for good measure…

Lady Margaery Tyrell : Natalie Dormer

In the role of Lady Margaery Tyrell, HBO have cast Natalie Dormer. I think this is an inspired choice – anyone who has seen Natalie’s performances as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors will realise what a good fit she is for this role. You might also have seen her recently briefly seduce Chris Evans in Captain America.

Brienne of Tarth : Gwendoline Christie

Certainly one of the more popular characters to be introduced in Season 2 is Brienne of Tarth, or “Brienne the Beauty”, who will be played by Briitsh actress Gwendoline Christie. Gwendoline seems a good fit for Brienne, clocking in at a statuesque 6’3″, and although some fans have reservations that she may not be “ugly” enough, I personally don’t think this will be an issue once the make-up and costume department get their hands on Gwendoline.

See above… She’s not small!

Xaro Xhoan Daxos : Nonso Anozie

British actor Nonso Anonzie will play the Qartheen merchant prince Xaro Xhoan Daxos who aids Daenerys in Qarth. A stage actor, Anonzie is most famous for being the youngest person to ever play William Shakespeare’s King Lear and for his award-winning performance of Othello. He has had minor roles in Atonement and Guy Ritchie’s Rock-n-Rolla.

Pyat Pree : Ian Hanmore

Pyat Pree, a warlock is one of the three representatives of Qarth, alongside Xaro Xhoan Daxos, who meets Daenerys. He will be played by Scottish actor Ian Hanmore, mostly known for small television roles in shows such as Doctor Who, Waking the Dead and Shameless.

Jaqen H’ghar : Tom Wlaschiha

Jaqen H’ghar, a member of the Faceless Men of Braavos who meets Arya on her trip north to the wall with Yoren will be played by German Actor Tom Wlaschiha. Wlaschiha is relatively unknown outside of his native Germany, having appeared in many TV shows and movies there.

Game of Thrones Season 2, all the new characters : Part 3, Krakens, Wolves and Lions

To recap, Part 1 covered House Baratheon, including suck major characters as Stannis, Davos and Melisandre. Part 2 took us to the Wall to meet Dolorous Edd, Qhorin Halfhand and Gilly. In Part 3 we’re going to meet Krakens, Wolves and Lions…

Balon Greyjoy : Patrick Malahide

For the part of Balon Greyjoy, the father to Theon, the Kraken and Lord of the Iron Islands, British actor Patrick Malahide has been cast. Malahide will be very familiar to British TV viewers as he has appeared consistently in British TV drama since the 70s, including The Singing Detective, but has also managed to balance this work with many minor roles in bigger budget movies like The World is Not Enough, Sahara and Billy Elliot.

Yara Greyjoy : Gemma Whelan

No, it’s not an iPad autocorrect, the producers have decided to rename Balon’s daughter Asha, fearing that it would clash to much with Arya. Playing Yara will be Gemma Whelan, a London-born actress and comedienne with a couple of minor roles, in Gulliver’s Travels and The Wolfman.

Roose Bolton : Michael McElhatton

Everyone loves Roose Bolton, one of Robb Stark’s bannermen. He’s a real piece of work, a truly chilling character. Quote fittingly, Irish actor Michael McElhatton seems to capture that feel right away. A veteran of Irish TV and movies, he’s not that well known outside of Ireland, but has appeared in some notable movies such as I Went Down with Brendan Gleeson.

Ser Amory Lorch : Fintan McKeown

Another Irishman will play the infamous Ser Amory Lorch, a bannerman of House Lannister. Fintan McKeown is perhaps not widely known either, but has had roles in Merlin and Star Trek: Voyager.

Alton Lannister : Karl Davies

Another Lion, Alton Lannister will be played by English actor Karl Davies. Lannister is a new character who doesn’t appearing the books – the rumours are he will be based on Cleos Frey. Davies himself, apart from being something of a gay icon will be best known to British TV viewers for his work on Kingdom and Emmerdale.

Podrick Payne : Daniel Portman

Young British newcomer Daniel Portman will play Tyrion Lannister’s squire Podrick Payne, a distant cousin of Ser Ilyn Payne the royal headsman. Portman can be seen in recent movie Outcast, and will appear in upcoming movie The Angels’ Share.

Hallyne the Pyromancer : Roy Dotrice

British acting legend, long-time friend of George RR Martin and OBE recipient Roy Dotrice has been cast as Hallyne the Pyromancer, after originally being cast as Pycelle in Season One before he had to drop out due to illness. Hallyne is head of the Alchemists’ Guild, and an ally of both Cersei and Tyrion Lannister. Dotrice has been acting since the 60s, and has played roles in many productions from Space: 1999 to Beauty and the Beast, and from Amadeus to Hellboy II.

Game of Thrones Season 2, all the new cast members: Part 2, North of the Wall

My last Game of Thrones post covered all the new cast members who would be playing the characters in House Baratheon. With Part 2 I am going to cover all those from North of the Wall, covering Crows and Wildlings both. Starting with…

Craster : Robert Pugh

Welshman Robert Pugh is another British TV and movie veteran who has had roles in everything from Doctor Who to Silent Witness, from The Lakes to Shameless. He’s also played parts in major Hollywood movies such as Master and Commander, Robin Hood, Kingdom of Heaven and The Ghost Writer. In Game of Thrones he plays the infamous Craster, a wildling whose father had originally been in the Night’s Watch. He is the father/husband to Gilly and nineteen other wives (or daughters), and an all-round mean old bastard.

Gilly : Hannah Murray

Craster’s daughter Gilly will be played by Hannah Murray. Hannah is a young English actress best known for playing Cassie Ainsworth in the UK series Skins on E4.

Ygritte : Rose Leslie

Ygritte is famously described as “kissed by fire”, as much for her fiery temper as her flaming shock of red hair. She’s a Wildling, part of a raiding party that encounters Jon Snow and Qhorin Halfhand. She will be portrayed by Rose Leslie, a young Scottish actress most famous for playing housemaid Gwen in the first season of Downton Abbey.

Qhorin Halfhand : Simon Armstrong

The Halfhand is a firm fan favourite in the books, and everyone seems content with the casting of suitably grizzled Simon Armstrong as the Night’s Watch Ranger from the Shadow Tower. Armstrong is perhaps not particularly well known, unless yet again you’re a fan of the British stage, in which case you’ll have seen him in lots if productions. On the big screen he’ll appear in Killer Elite alongside Jason Statham and Clive Owen.

“Dolorous Edd” Tollett : Ben Crompton

“Dolorous Edd”, a black brother of the Night’s Watch is most famous for his droll and sarcastic humour, and has always been a favourite of the fans. He will be portrayed by Englishman Ben Crompton, most well-known for his role in the BBC comedy Man Stroke Woman, and has appeared in small roles in numerous British TV shows such as Clocking Off, Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders.