As much as the complex and gripping plots of Game of Thrones - as well as the hefty budget that covers all its epic fantasy needs - help to keep audiences coming back and ratings climbing, the real strength of show is the universally strong talent all across the board of its sprawling ensemble cast, which features a mix of veterans like Charles Dance and Julian Glover and newcomers such as Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke.

Season 4 will bring with it a host of new characters and, by extension, a number of new additions to the cast. Michael Huisman will be replacing Ed Skrein as mercenary leader Daario Naharis, Pedro Pascal (The Good Wife) as Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne and Indira Varma (Rome) as his lover, Ellaria Sand. Banshee star Joseph Gatt is also joining the show as Styr, Magnar of Thenn.

When casting announcements for season 4 of Game of Thrones began this summer, one of the names mentioned was actor and writer Mark Gatiss, though at the time his exact role was unconfirmed. Now Gatiss' CV has been updated to reveal that he'll be playing Tycho Nestoris, a representative of the Iron Bank of Braavos, to whom the Iron Throne owes tens of millions in borrowed gold.

By the end of season 3 there were many threats descending upon Westeros, including Daenerys Targaryen's army and dragons and a horde of ice zombies from the north, but poor fiscal management could be enough to end the reign of Good King Joffrey all by itself. The Iron Bank, as Tyrion mentioned in the last season, is notorious for always collecting on its debts and, if they aren't repaid, offering financing to those who plan to usurp the throne.

Games of Thrones season 3 title

Aside from his well-known role as Mycroft Holmes in the soon-to-return BBC series Sherlock, Gatiss has a long history of both comedic and dramatic roles. Along with fellow British comedians Reece Shearsmith (The World's End) and Steve Pemberton (Whitechapel) he played dozens of different characters in the gruesome black comedy show The League of Gentlemen, and also had a brief role in the original series of Being Human as an ancient vampire called Mr. Snow.

Game of Thrones fans probably didn't need another reason to look forward to season 4, but Gatiss is certainly a very welcome addition to the cast. Tell us if you think he's the right actor to play Tycho Nestoris in the comments.

_____

Game of Thrones season 4 premieres in Spring 2014 on HBO.

Source: Curtis Brown (via WinterisComing)