Here is the big casting news everyone was waiting for… Pedro Pascal has been cast as Oberyn Martell! Pascal is a Chilean actor who most recently was seen in the TV shows Graceland and Red Widow. Oberyn Martell, aka the Red Viper, arrives in King’s Landing from Dorne and stands to play a pivotal role in the events of next season.

James Hibberd of Entertainment Weekly broke the news and offers this quote from Benioff and Weiss about the casting:

“This was a tough one,” say showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss about the casting. “The Red Viper is sexy and charming, yet believably dangerous; intensely likable, yet driven by hate. The boys love him, the girls love him, and he loves them all back. Unless your last name is Lannister. We found a fellow who can handle the job description and make it seem effortless. He wasn’t easy to find and he won’t be easy to stop.”

Winter Is Coming: We have our Red Viper! I don’t know much about Pascal, so I will have to take some time to familiarize myself with his work. Looks-wise, he is a bit younger and less swarthy than I imagined, but I can live with that. In Nina Gold I trust and all that. What are your thoughts? Does Pedro match the Red Viper in your head? Do you think he can pull off the cocky and confident Prince of Dorne?