Skins UK Star & Former British Soap Actor Join Game Of Thrones Season 2

By Jolie LashLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- A former star of the British version of Skins, actress Hannah Murray, has joined the cast of Game of Thrones Season 2. HBO confirmed to Access Hollywood that the redheaded actress will play Gilly in the series, news first reported by Westeros.org. Fans of the books will know that Gilly plays a major role in the life of Jon Snows (Kit Harington) best friend on the Nights Watch Samwell Tarly (played by Manchester-bred actor John Bradley West). Gilly is a wildling woman, who men of the Nights Watch meet as they journey beyond the wall in Season 2. She is not only the pregnant daughter of Craster, a friend of the Nights Watch, but in a move set to put the Lannister clan to shame one of his wives. In related GOT casting news, Karl Davies, who starred in the UK soap Emmerdale, has signed on as Alton Lannister, HBO confirmed to Access Hollywood. Alton is not in the books by author George R. R. Martin, and no character description was immediately available. Murray and Davies are the latest in a long line of new cast members coming into the Emmy-nominated fantasy series, based on the books by George R. R. Martin, for Season 2 including Roy Dotrice as Hallyne, the pyromancer, German actor Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen Hghar, Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy (in the books as Asha), Nonso Anozie as Xaro Xhoan Daxos, Liam Cunningham as Davos, Stephen Dillane as Robert Baratheons heir and brother Stannis, Dutch actress Carice van Houten as the red priestess Melisandre, Gwendoline Christie as Brienne, knight to Renly Baratheon, and Tudors actress Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell, Renlys wife. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.