'Game of Thrones' Taps 'Rome' Alum for Prominent Season 3 Role

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After announcing more than a dozen new cast members earlier this summer, Game of Thrones has settled on the biggest addition to the third season.

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An HBO rep confirms to The Hollywood Reporter that Rome actor Ciarán Hinds has joined the cast as Mance Rayder, as first reported by EW.

Rayder, "the King Beyond the Wall," was once a member of the Night's Watch before abandoning his post to lead the Wildlings. Though he was referenced several times throughout the series' second season, and Jon Snow (Kit Harington) was taken to meet him during the finale, he had yet to appear on the show.

Hinds is no stranger to HBO. He played Julius Caesar on Rome, from 2005 to 2007. Most recently he's played Bill Clinton-esque figure Bud Hammond on USA miniseries Political Animals.

Read about more third season additions to Game of Thrones here.