We're dying for a taste of new blood come 'Game of Thrones' season 4, which to date has announced far fewer castings than previous cycles, however more significant. New roles may prove to be a moot point, though, as new rumors suggest that a major role will need to be recast beginning with season 4, and from a surprising source at that.

WinterisComing reports that the role of Tommen Baratheon will be recast in season 4, the role having largely served as a background character portrayed by young actor Callum Wharry until now. For reasons known well to book readers, Tommen will come to further prominence beginning with 'Game of Thrones' season 4, for which the slightly older Dean-Charles Chapman will assume the role.

Interestingly, Chapman already appeared in the series in an important Lannister role, that of the young Martyn killed in captivity by the Karstarks. HBO has yet to confirm the casting change, though producers have a history of recasting when it comes time for a role to expand. For instance, David Michael Scott briefly portrayed the role of Beric Dondarrion in season 1, before Richard Dormer assumed the expanded role in season 3.

While we wait for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 4, HBO has cast in the important roles of the latest run Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mace TyrellPedro Pascal as Prince Oberyn “The Red Viper” Martell, Indira Varma as his lover Ellaria Sand, and ‘Sherlock‘ star/writer Mark Gatiss in an unknown role. ‘Mad Men‘ star Christina Hendricks‘ expressed her interest in joining the HBO drama after AMC closes Sterling-Cooper’s doors next year, though we doubt the Red God favors us that much. Previous season characters Lysa Arryn (Kate Dickie), Ser Alliser Thorne (Owen Teale), Rorge (Andy Beckwith) and Janos Slynt (Dominic Carter) will likely all return, among others.

What say you? Will 'Game of Thrones' season 4 prove the most furtive yet, or collapse under the weight of expanded characters and story cramming?

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