Westeros is officially heading to the theater. The Royal Shakespeare Company has unveiled the full ensemble cast for its highly anticipated stage adaptation, George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King. Set to make its grand debut next week, the production promises to bring the cutthroat political intrigue of the Seven Kingdoms to the live stage.
Taking place roughly ten years before the events of the hit HBO television series and the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, The Mad King centers on a fateful dinner banquet during the final, volatile years of King Aerys II Targaryen's reign. This pivotal era serves as the inciting incident for Robert's Rebellion, the bloody conflict that ultimately shaped the modern history of Westeros.
A newly released promotional image showcases the core cast fully suited up in their Westerosi garb. Veteran actor Michael Shaeffer anchors the production as the titular King Aerys II Targaryen. Because the story predates the flagship series, audiences will see fresh faces stepping into iconic roles that were made famous on television. Maxim Ays takes on the mantle of a young Ser Jaime Lannister, Michael Abubakar steps into the boots of Eddard Stark, and Callum Woodhouse portrays a young Lord Robert Baratheon.
Here is the complete cast list for Game of Thrones: The Mad King:
- Michael Abubakar: Eddard Stark
- Elizabeth Ayodele: Princess Elia Martell
- Maxim Ays: Ser Jaime Lannister
- Miles Barrow: Benjen Stark
- Islam Bouakkaz: Howland Reed
- Luke Brady: Brandon Stark
- Marty Breen: Catelyn Stark
- Sebastian Charles: Owen Merryweather
- Adrian Christopher: Prince Lewyn Martell
- Ronan Cullen: On-stage Swing and Puppeteer
- Fred Davis: Qarlton Chelsted
- Edem-Ita Duke: Oberyn Martell
- Simi Egbejumi-David: Ensemble and Puppeteer
- Daisy Franks: Cersei Lannister and Golda Whent
- Mariah Gale: Queen Rhaella Targaryen and Lady Shella Whent
- Richard Hansell: Grand Maester Pycelle
- Daniel Hawksford: Ser Barristan Selmy
- Lewis Howard: Ensemble and Puppeteer
- April Nerissa Hudson: Ensemble and Puppeteer
- Tom Larkin: Lord Whent and Wisdom Ressart
- Chelsea Marie: Ensemble and Puppeteer
- Kel Matsena: Ser Arthur Dayne
- Shaun Yusuf McKee: Ser Gerold Hightower
- Alexander Newland: Lord Rickard Stark
- Hughie O'Donnell: Lord Varys
- Huw Parmenter: Ser Oswell Whent
- Noah Ritter: Prince Rhaegar Targaryen
- Harmony Rose-Brenner: Lyanna Stark
- Kate Roswell: On-stage Swing and Puppeteer
- Michael Shaeffer: King Aerys II Targaryen
- Tanisha Spring: Ashara Dayne
- Tom Stacy: On-stage Swing and Puppeteer
- Matt Tait: Ensemble and Puppeteer
- Tzarina-Nassor: Ensemble and Puppeteer
- Marcello Walton: Ser Jonothor Darry and Lord Tywin Lannister
- Callum Woodhouse: Lord Robert Baratheon
Fans eager to see the seeds of rebellion sown live on stage can catch George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The production is scheduled to run from August 8 through September 5.