Wikia

Season 3

No. of episodes	10
Transmission dates	31 March 2013 to 9 June 2013
Production dates	10 July 2012 to 24 November 2012
DVD/Blu-Ray release	TBA
Season chronology
previous Season 2	next Season 4

Season 3 of Game of Thrones was commissioned on 10 April 2012, following a major increase in audience figures between the first two seasons.^[1] It consists of ten episodes and began filming on 10 July 2012.^[2]. It concluded filming on 24 November 2012.^[3] David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will return as executive producers and show runners.^[4]

The season premiered on 31 March, 2013.^[5]

Season 3 is based on A Storm of Swords, the third novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin. However, whilst the first two seasons roughly corresponded to the first two books, the sheer length of the third novel (almost half again the length of the first by word count) makes this impossible. As a result, the events of the novel will be split over the third and a the recently confirmed fourth season. Some events from the third novel were also moved into the final episodes of the second season to help facilitate this.

Plot

Season 3 spans several months on a world where the seasons can last for years at a time. Autumn has fallen across the world, with winter not far behind. The people should be preparing for years of snow and ice, but the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros instead remain gripped by civil war. Would-be king Renly Baratheon has been assassinated, altering the alliances in the war. The cruel boy-king Joffrey Baratheon has won a great victory by securing an alliance with House Tyrell, with his supporters defeating his uncle Stannis in an epic battle. Joffrey now commands the largest armies in the realm and his triumph appears inevitable.

King Robb Stark remains in the field, however his homeland, the North, is partially under ironborn occupation. Robb needs to decide on a course of action to win an overall victory. He must also win back the allegiance of House Frey, whom he has offended by breaking his marriage pact to them. King Robb has won every battle he has fought, but as with old King Robert, the Starks will have to see if good soldiers make good kings.

Stannis Baratheon may be defeated and most of his army destroyed or scattered, but he is not out of the fight yet. Having retreated to his headquarters on Dragonstone island with his handful of surviving soldiers, Stannis' status as the last legitimate heir to his older brother Robert still casts a shadow over Joffrey's claim to the throne. With the priestess Melisandre at his side, Stannis can still influence the course of the war by striking where least expected.

The lives of many others still hang in the balance. Bran Stark and his protectors must cross the frozen wastelands of the North to reach the Wall, whilst Arya must brave the war-torn Riverlands in search of her mother and brother. Brienne also has the thankless task of taking the captive Jaime Lannister home across hundreds of miles of battlefields and carnage. Theon Greyjoy must face the consequences of his actions at Winterfell. And in King's Landing both Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark must brave the currents of a much more dangerous court in order to survive.

On the eastern continent, Daenerys Targaryen has fled the political viper-pit of Qarth. Her dragons are growing and her fame is spreading, but to take the Iron Throne she will need supporters and an army. Both may be found in the corrupt cities of Slaver's Bay... for a price.

Beyond the Wall, the White Walkers are on the move, threatening both the Seven Kingdoms and the lands of the Free Folk. While the Night's Watch faces the threat of the White Walkers in the field, Jon Snow must infiltrate the wildling army of Mance Rayder and discover the King-Beyond-the-Wall's plans.

Production

The series has again been filmed primarily in Northern Ireland,^[6] and has also returned to Iceland and Croatia.^[7] The production also added Morocco to the locations roster.^[7] A couple of scenes, involving a trained bear, were shot in Los Angeles for safety and legal reasons.^[8] The production expanded to three production units, adding a new "Raven" unit to the existing "Dragon" and "Wolf" units.^[9]

Production in Croatia continued to use the walled medieval city of Dubrovnik to film external scenes for King's Landing, and Iceland was again used to film scenes set in the frozen lands that Jon Snow and the Night's Watch encounter Beyond the Wall. Production in the new location of Morocco filmed Daenerys Targaryen's new storyline in Slaver's Bay as well as some King's Landing exterior shots. The Los Angeles scenes are, in the book, set in Harrenhal.

Cast

Main article: Season 3 cast

Starring cast

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister (8 episodes)
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister (6 episodes)
Lena Headey as Queen Cersei Lannister (7 episodes)
Emilia Clarke as Queen Daenerys Targaryen (6 episodes)
Kit Harington as Jon Snow (6 episodes)
Richard Madden as King Robb Stark (6 episodes)
Iain Glen as Ser Jorah Mormont (6 episodes)
Michelle Fairley as Lady Catelyn Stark (7 episodes)
Aidan Gillen as Lord Petyr Baelish (4 episodes)
Charles Dance as Lord Tywin Lannister (7 episodes)
Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth (3 episodes)
Stephen Dillane as King Stannis Baratheon (4 episodes)
Carice van Houten as Lady Melisandre (5 episodes)
Natalie Dormer as Lady Margaery Tyrell (6 episodes)
Alfie Allen as Prince Theon Greyjoy (5 episodes)
John Bradley as Samwell Tarly (6 episodes)
Oona Chaplin as Queen Talisa Stark (5 episodes)
Joe Dempsie as Gendry (7 episodes)
Jack Gleeson as King Joffrey Baratheon (6 episodes)
Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Prince Bran Stark (4 episodes)
Rose Leslie as Ygritte (6 episodes)
Sophie Turner as Princess Sansa Stark (7 episodes)
Maisie Williams as Princess Arya Stark (7 episodes)
James Cosmo as Lord Commander Jeor Mormont (4 episodes)
Jerome Flynn as Ser Bronn (4 episodes)
Conleth Hill as Lord Varys (4 episodes)
Sibel Kekilli as Shae (5 episodes)
Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane (6 episodes)

Selected guest starring cast

Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth (6 episodes)
Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei (6 episodes)
Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane (6 episodes)
Paul Kaye as Thoros of Myr (6 episodes)
Ian McElhinney as Ser Barristan Selmy (6 episodes)
Philip McGinley as Anguy (6 episodes)
Mackenzie Crook as Orell (5 episodes)
Finn Jones as Ser Loras Tyrell (5 episodes)
Michael McElhatton as Lord Roose Bolton (5 episodes)
Iwan Rheon as the boy (5 episodes)
Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell (5 episodes)
Noah Taylor as Locke (5 episodes)
Luke Barnes as Rast (4 episodes)
Esmé Bianco as Ros (4 episodes)
Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Jojen Reed (4 episodes)
Ben Crompton as Eddison Tollett (4 episodes)
Richard Dormer as Lord Beric Dondarrion (4 episodes)
Tobias Menzies as Lord Edmure Tully (4 episodes)
Hannah Murray as Gilly (4 episodes)
Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne (4 episodes)
Clive Russell as Ser Brynden Tully (4 episodes)
Mark Stanley as Grenn (4 episodes)
Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm (3 episodes)
Dan Hildebrand as Kraznys mo Nakloz (3 episodes)
Ciarán Hinds as Mance Rayder (3 episodes)
Ellie Kendrick as Meera Reed (3 episodes)
Anton Lesser as Qyburn (3 episodes)
Kristian Nairn as Hodor (3 episodes)
Art Parkinson as Prince Rickon Stark (3 episodes)
John Stahl as Lord Rickard Karstark (3 episodes)
Natalia Tena as Osha (3 episodes)
Ian Beattie as Ser Meryn Trant (2 episodes)
Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle (2 episodes)
Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie (2 episodes)
Robert Pugh as Craster (2 episodes)

Announced cast

Steven Cole as Kovarro^[10]
Eugene Simon as Ser Lancel Lannister^[10]
Josef Altin as Pyp^[11]
Kate Dickie as Lady Lysa Arryn^[11]
Lino Facioli as Lord Robin Arryn^[11]
Ian Whyte as Ser Gregor Clegane, ^[12]
David Bradley as Lord Walder Frey^[13]
Laura Pradelska as Quaithe^[14]
Kelly Long as Lady Joyeuse Erenford^[15]
Sophie O'Brien as prostitute^[15]
Ian Gelder as Ser Kevan Lannister^[16]
Gemma Whelan as Princess Yara Greyjoy^[15]
Charlotte Hope as Myranda^[17]
Rickard Nordstrand as an Unsullied^[18]
Will Champion as a drummer^[19]
Alexandra Dowling as Lady Roslin Frey^[20]
Oddie Braddell as Ser Wendel Manderly^[15]
David Grenfell as a Bolton officer^[21]
Johnny Phair as a Bolton soldier^[22]

Clive Mantle's agent confirmed that he will not reprise his role as Greatjon Umber in Season 3.^[2]

Crew

Director and producer Alan Taylor will not be returning due to his commitments on the film Thor: The Dark World.^[23]

Producers

David Benioff: executive producer.
D.B. Weiss: executive producer.
Carolyn Strauss: executive producer.
Frank Doelger: executive producer.
Bernie Caufield: executive producer.
Guymon Casady: co-executive producer.
George R.R. Martin: co-executive producer.
Vince Geradis: co-executive producer.
Vanessa Taylor: co-executive producer.
Chris Newman: Producer
Greg Spence: Producer

Writers

David Benioff & D.B. Weiss: episode 1, 3-4, 6, 8-10.
Bryan Cogman: episodes 5.^[24]
Vanessa Taylor: episode 2.^[25]
George R.R. Martin: episode 7.

Directors

Daniel Minahan: episodes 1 and 2.
David Benioff: episode 3^[26]
Alex Graves: episodes 4 and 5.
Alik Sakharov: episode 6.
Michelle MacLaren: episodes 7 and 8.^[27]
David Nutter: episodes 9 and 10.

Episodes

#	Title	Airdate
21	"Valar Dohaeris"^[28]	March 31, 2013
21	Jon is brought before Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall, while the Night's Watch survivors retreat south. In King's Landing, Tyrion asks for his reward, Littlefinger offers Sansa a way out, and Cersei hosts a dinner for the royal family. Dany sails into Slaver's Bay.^[29]
22	"Dark Wings, Dark Words"^[30]	April 7, 2013
22	Sansa Stark is introduced to Olenna Tyrell and is incautious when questioned about King Joffrey Baratheon. Shae asks Tyrion Lannister for help protecting Sansa. Jaime Lannister provokes Brienne into a duel but finds himself recaptured. Arya Stark crosses paths with the Brotherhood Without Banners and is recognized by their new prisoner Sandor Clegane. Ravens bring dark news to the King in the North at Harrenhal; his brothers are still missing and Hoster Tully has died. Jon Snow learns about wargs from the Free Folk. Bran Stark is surprised to meet new allies in the barren North.^[31]
23	"Walk of Punishment^[32]	April 14, 2013
23	Tyrion gains new responsibilities; Jon is taken to the Fist of the First Men; Daenerys meets with the slavers; Jaime strikes a deal with his captors.^[31]
24	"And Now His Watch is Ended"^[33]	April 21, 2013
24	The Night's Watch takes stock; Varys meets his better; Arya is taken to the commander of the Brotherhood; Daenerys makes an exchange.^[31]
25	"Kissed by Fire"^[34]	April 28, 2013
25	The Hound is judged by the gods; Jaime is judged; Jon proves himself; Robb is betrayed; Tyrion learns the cost of weddings.^[31]
26	"The Climb"	May 5, 2013
26	Tywin plans strategic unions for the Lannisters. Melisandre pays a visit to the Riverlands. Robb weighs a compromise to repair his alliance with House Frey. Roose Bolton decides what to do with Jaime Lannister. Jon, Ygritte and the Wildlings face a daunting climb.^[35]
27	"The Bear and the Maiden Fair"^[36] (formerly "Autumn Storms" and "Chains")	May 12, 2013
27	Dany exchanges gifts with a slave lord outside of Yunkai. As Sansa frets about her prospects, Shae chafes at Tyrion's new situation. Tywin counsels the king, and Melisandre reveals a secret to Gendry. Brienne faces a formidable foe in Harrenhal.^[35]
28	"Second Sons"	May 19, 2013
28	King's Landing hosts a wedding, and Tyrion and Sansa spend the night together. Dany meets the Titan's Bastard. Davos demands proof from Melisandre. Sam and Gilly meet an older gentleman.^[35]
29	"The Rains of Castamere"^[37]	June 2, 2013
29	Robb presents himself to Walder Frey, and Edmure meets his bride. Jon faces his harshest test yet. Bran discovers a new gift. Daario and Jorah debate how to take Yunkai. House Frey joins with House Tully. ^[38]
30	"Mhysa"^[39]	June 9, 2013
30	Joffrey challenges Tywin. Bran tells a ghost story. In Dragonstone, mercy comes from strange quarters. Dany waits to see if she is a conqueror or a liberator. ^[38]