‘Game of Thrones’ Season 3 Finally Casts Mance Rayder

The King Beyond the Wall finally has a face.  'Game of Thrones' season 3 has already earned a frenzy of attention following the Comic-Con 2012 announcement that introduced over a dozen new characters and cast members, some familiar, some fresh-faced.  Even then, fans have been chomping at the bit to learn who would play the oft-mentioned Wildling leader Mance Rayder, but need wait no more!  It's not 'The Wire's Dominic Cooper, so what 'Rome' star will "rayd" the role?

'Game of Thrones' season 3 just got a bit more political with its latest, and biggest casting to date.  Mance Rayder, the frequently-referenced former Night's Watch and Wildling "King Beyond the Wall" has finally been cast.  According to Entertainment Weekly, former 'Rome' and 'Political Animals' star Ciarán Hinds will take the iconic role, meeting up with Jon Snow (Kit Harington) when the third season debuts in 2013.

For those unfamiliar with the books, Mance Rayder's introduction will see the famed King Beyond the Wall organizing the Wildling tribes of the far north in an effort to attack the Wall itself, and ultimately invade the more temperate Westeros.

Curiously, Hinds was actually born in 'Game of Thrones' primary production location of Belfast, Ireland, though Rayder's scenes will mostly be shot in Iceland.  Having previously played the former U.S. President for USA's 'Political Animals' and Julius Caesar himself of 'Rome,' Ciarán Hinds is actually the second former 'Rome' star to join 'Game of Thrones' season 3 behind Tobias Menzies (who played Brutus) as Edmure Tully, the younger brother of Catelyn Stark.

Hinds joins the ranks of Diana Rigg, Mackenzie Crook, Clive Russell, Nathalie Emannuel, Iwan Rheon, Kerry Ingram, Tara Fitzgerald, Paul Kaye, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ellie Kendirck, Richard Dormer, Kristofer Hivju, Philip McGinley, Tobias Menzies and Anton Lesser, all of whom new additions for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 3.

What say you?  Does Hinds have what it takes to bring Mance Rayder to life for 'Game of Thrones' season 3?  Who would you have preferred take the role?  Give us your hopes for 'Game of Thrones' season 3 in the comments!