Latinos likely to lead new season Game of Thrones family
The hottest series on television right now is HBOs Game of Thrones, and perhaps its fitting that this is the series that Hispanics appear primed…
The series “Game of Thrones” will reportedly cast Latino actors. (Facebook)
The hottest series on television right now is HBOs Game of Thrones, and perhaps its fitting that this is the series that Hispanics appear primed to make a major breakthrough.
SEE ALSO: 7 things you didn’t know about Oberyn Martell
HBO reportedly is preparing to add several Hispanic actors for the development of next seasons major storyline set around the Martell family vying for the ultimate kingdom prize in Game of Thrones.
Producers are also currently scouting locations in the Andalucia region of Spain that would be used for Dorne, the homeland of the House of Martell.
Developing the Martell clan as Latinos apparently comes on the heels of producers having seen the skyrocketing popularity of Chilean-born actor Pedro Pascal, who was a major character in the current fourth season.
Pascal portrayed Oberyn Martell, a warrior prince in the House of Martell known as the Red Viper for his knowledge of poisons and his unusual, deadly style of combat.
Game of Thrones Cast. (Facebook/Game of Thrones HBO)
But Oberyn was killed in a brutal hand-to-hand fight in a trial by combat on behalf of the dwarf Tyrion Lannister, played by Peter Dinklage, who is accused of murdering the mad young king, Joffrey.
In the fifth season, producers intend to continue developing the Martell story and the vengeance for the death of Oberyns beloved sister.
Among the new roles to be cast with Latino actors are Prince Doran Martell, the wheelchair-bound family patriarch and the older brother of Oberyn Martell; and the grown-to-adult Prince Trystane Martell, identified in the books on which the show is based as the handsome fiance of Princess Myrcella.”
The most interesting casting, though, could wind up being Oberyns children with common-law wife Ellaria Sand, who are known as the Sand Snakes because they are all bastard daughters.
In the current season, it has been mentioned that Oberyn has eight daughters, but producers reportedly intend to cast only three who will range in age from 18 to 25 Obara, Nymeria and Tyene.
There is also speculation of a possible casting of another woman, again likely to be a Latina, as Arianne, Princess of Dorne and the beloved, headstrong daughter of Prince Doran.
Arianne is an integral voice in the George R.R. Martin books on which the show is based.
In keeping with past casting, a source close to HBO said it is unlikely the roles will go to big-name stars.
Actors whose names have been bandied about by producers reportedly include Edgar Ramirez who was in Zero Dark Thirty and Libertador; Tyler Posey, who has been in ABCs Brothers and Sisters; Genesis Rodriguez, who co-starred in Man on a Ledge; and Kiele Sanchez, who was on ABCs Lost.
The possible casting of a number of Latinos on one of televisions most popular shows comes in the face of continuing criticism that Hispanic actors still arent getting lead film or television roles.
Why are we almost always the zero and never the hero? actor Esai Morales complained last year.
Even the great villains, like Tony Montana (from Scarface) cannot be played by our own When are we going to get our history told, because its stolen from us?
Last year actor Ben Affleck played the role of CIA agent Tony Mendez in the Oscar-winning Argo that he directed.
This falls in the same category as playing black face, said producer/filmmaker Moctesuma Esparza. Thats totally unacceptable.
