HBO’s “Game of Thrones” has cast Danish actor Pilou Asbæk as Euron Greyjoy in season six, Variety has confirmed.

Euron Greyjoy is the uncle of Theon (Alfie Allen) and Yara (Gemma Whelan) and the younger brother of Balon Greyjoy (Patrick Malahide), Lord of the Iron Islands. In George R. R. Martin’s novels, Euron is a skilled warrior who captains a ship called the Silence, and is known for his tempestuous and unpredictable moods. If season six of “Thrones” follows the Greyjoy storyline from Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels, Asbæk’s Euron is likely to play a pivotal role in the series going forward.

Other newcomers for season six of the fantasy epic include Ian McShane in an unspecified role, and Max von Sydow, who will take over the role of Bran Stark’s (Isaac Hempstead Wright) mentor, the mysterious Three-Eyed Raven, when the show returns in 2016.

Asbæk has appeared in roles on the big and small screen, including “Lucy,” “The Borgias” and “Borgen.” He’ll next be seen as Pontius Pilate in the upcoming remake of “Ben-Hur” opposite Jack Huston.

“Game of Thrones” broke an Emmy record this year, taking home 12 awards – the most for any primetime drama in a single year.

Rumors of Asbæk’s casting were first reported by Watchers on the Wall.

Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed to this report.