GAME OF THRONES Fans Want Sid to Star

The third season of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones premieres March 31, but fans are already presenting their casting choices for characters likely to appear in season four and there is a very vocal group championing Alexander Siddig to play the role of Oberyn Martell.

I first saw some buzz for this last year while they were filming season 3, but it appears that the character won’t turn up until next season which, as far as I know, fits perfectly with Sid’s schedule. For those who haven’t read the George R.R. Martin series on which the show is based, here’s a brief, non-spoilery description of Oberyn from Wikipedia:

Oberyn Martell is the youngest brother of Doran Martell. He is a hot-headed, forceful, and lusty man with a quick wit and a barbed tongue. He is a formidable fighter and is called the Red Viper because it is rumored he poisons his weapons. He has traveled the world, founded a mercenary company, and briefly studied at the Citadel, which trains Maesters. He has eight illegitimate daughters, collectively known as the Sand Snakes; four of them he fathered with his paramour Ellarie Sand.

He’s also described as “a great warrior, in his 40s, with dark eyes and dark hair streaked with silver” by GoT fansite Winter Is Coming, which posted a round up of top fan picks for the role, including Sid. Physically he matches the character, and we’ve seen him be the ruthless warrior in Hannibal and Merlin and a politician in Kingdom of Heaven and Syriana. I’ve no doubt he could pull off the “lusty” part that resulted in 8 illegitimate daughters as well. As for Oberyn’s ultimate fate, well, let’s just say Sid will have another entry for a certain record book.

What do you think about Sid playing a Prince of the Seven Kingdoms?