Warning: Fullfor Season 1 of Game of Thrones follows. Including some bits and morsels from the upcoming Season 2

Click+the+pic+to+read+the+story!

<a+class='autolink'+href='https://stars.ign.com/objects/113/113078.html'>Lord+Stannis+Baratheon</a>

L-R:+Strong,+Eccleston,+Sewell+and+Fiennes!

<a+class='autolink'+href='https://stars.ign.com/objects/113/113079.html'>Ser+Davos+Seaworth</a>

L-R:+Sheppard,+Carlyle,+Sheen+and+West!

<a+class='autolink'+href='https://stars.ign.com/objects/113/113081.html'>Lady+Melisandre+of+Asshai</a>

L-R:+Green,+Rapace,+Weisz+and+Pike!

We're all a hundred kinds of excited about the upcoming second season of HBO's Game of Thrones , especially those of us who've read the second book in George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire book series, A Clash of Kings. We certainly don't want to spoil the bulk of the book for people, but we did want to get this casting piece out there and give you our opinions of who might be well suited to play some of the crucial roles coming up on the series. We've limited this list to just three characters because these three roles are people that you'll meet very quickly in Season 2. Yes, there are other new and great characters that will pop up in the midst of the season but naming them right now might give too much away.Plus, we're "phantom casting" here. There's no indication that notable and well-known actors will be chosen for this role, only talented ones. We're essentially picking from a pool of celebrities which may not be a consideration at all when it comes to Season 2 casting. But who knows? With Sean Bean and Mark Addy gone from the series perhaps they're looking for a new "name" to anchor the series. But the casting news regarding these roles will hit the web any day now, as it did in the past day with the news that Gwendoline Christie was cast as Brienne of Tarth. Here are some ideas for the crucial characters in Season 2 of Game of Thrones:Stannis was mentioned on the series by Ned , when he intended to send a message to King Robert's younger brother that the throne was his, after Robert died from his encounter with a wild boar on a hunting trip. Robert's youngest brother Renly objected, due to the fact that Stannis was a grim man that the people of Westeros held no love for. And yes, Stannis is as Renly said. Grim, serious, dutiful…and bitter over the love the kingdom had for Robert and the drab isle of Dragonstone he was given to rule over.There are many rumors that Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston is first in line for this part, but we also really like the idea of Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Kick-Ass, Green Lantern). Strong, with his commanding voice, would lend a great amount of gravity to Stannis. Also worth mentioning here are Rufus Sewell (A Knight's Tale, Dark City) who is no stranger to playing prickly parts in costumed dramas – and the now-available Joseph Fiennes , who impressed us with his morbid turn as Merlin on the recently cancelled Starz series Camelot.With Ned dead and gone you might be missing the "touch of honor" that he brought to the show. "The Onion Knight" Ser Davos is a former smuggler-turned-knight who Stannis likes to keep around because of his honest council. But even though Davos owes Stannis all he has and respects his justice, he's going to find himself torn over some of the decisions that the Lord of Dragonstone chooses to make. Especially concerning questionable religious practices.There are some whispers that The Tudors' David Wilmot is a favorite to win this part. And while he'd undoubtedly be great, we'd like to suggest Mark Sheppard for the role. Yes, perhaps his geek-TV history as a loveable scoundrel (Firefly, Supernatural, BSG and more) might work against him here, but we think it would be great to see him in mostly-honorable role for a change. Plus, his gravelly voice + Mark Strong's voice? In a scene? Sold! Who else would be good? SGU's Dr. Rush himself, Robert Carlyle would certainly fit the bill if he weren't already starring in ABC's Once Upon a Time, alas. Also Michael Sheen (30 Rock, Frost/Nixon) has proven that he's adept at both drama and comedy and The Wire's Dominic West could use a TV role featuring his real accent (plus a kinda/sorta reunion with ex-Wire actor Aidan Gillen, who plays Littlefinger).Adding to the dark mysticism of Season 2 is the seductive character of Melisandre, a Red Priestess who worships the Lord of Light, R'hllor. She's a controversial figure on Dragonstone to say the least and while Stannis believes that she might hold the key to a future conquest, others, including Davos, hold reservations and suspicions about her prophetic claims. And yes, Melisandre has red hair, but the actress who plays her does not need to be a natural red-head. So while I enjoy Mad Men's Christina Hendricks as much as the next person, I think all the web requests for her to play the part are a bit off course.So while we're in the midst of cherry-picking ex-Camelot stars, we should mention that many feel that Eva Green would be pitch-perfect in the role. Yes, she'd be great, but perhaps Melisandre is a bit too similar to the role of Morgan. Still, you could do worse. And while we're bringing up bewitching actresses, we wouldn't object to a Rachel Weisz or a Rosamund Pike . Also, if we're looking for a hot chick with a somewhat darker, foreign presence, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) could give the Isle of Dragonstone a good fright.

Who would you cast in these crucial roles? Let us know in the comments!The King in the North!