‘Game of Thrones’ Season 4: ‘Banshee’ Star Joins as Styr, Magnar of Thenn

Though character names and actors may prove inherently meaningless to 'Game of Thrones' fans unfamiliar with George R.R. Martin's writing, the fourth season of HBO has just made a huge addition to its cast, both literally and figuratively. Cinemax's 'Banshee' star Joseph Gatt has reportedly joined 'Game of Thrones' season 4 in a major literary role as Styr, Magnar of Thenn, but how much of the character will be changed?

News of Gatt's casting arrives from Maltese publication Malta Today, citing both Gatt's agency representation and IMDb credits for the casting. Martin's books describe Styr as a tall, earless Wildling leader of the Thenn clan, who forges an alliance with Mance "King Beyond the Wall" Rayder (Ciaran Hinds) in the Wildling battle against the Wall.

Gatt certainly fits the description, barring any major changes, and has been previously linked with the role as a fan-favorite suggestion. It wouldn't be the first time fan voices influenced 'Game of Thrones' casting, as was the case with both series favorites Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) and Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth).

While we wait for ‘Game of Thrones’ season 4, HBO has cast in important roles Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mace Tyrell, Pedro 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 don't hold much hope for that. 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.

We'll keep you up to date on the latest 'Game of Thrones' season 4 castings on the long road to 2014, but what say you? Would Joseph Gatt make the perfect Styr, or what?