'Game Of Thrones' Season 5 Spoilers: 8 Characters Who Will Make Their Debut In The New Episodes

“Game of Thrones” returns to HBO on Sunday with premiere of Season 5. The new episodes – which will feature two new regions – will introduce new characters as well, as the ever-expanding universe on the show continues to get bigger. Since nobody on “Game of Thrones” is ever safe, it is always nice to have new characters to ease the pain of surprise losses.

Here is a list of some of the new characters making their debuts in Season 5:

The Sand Snakes

So much of the chatter around the new season has been about the Sand Snakes. The Sand Snakes are the illegitimate daughters of Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal). They all share the name Sand – the family name taken on by children born out of wedlock in Dorne. The snake moniker is a reference to their father’s “Red Viper” nickname. The three daughters – Obara (Keisha Castle-Hughes), Nymeria (Jessica Henwick) and Tyene (Rosabell Laurenti Sellers) – are trained warriors and will be out for revenge for their father’s untimely death in Season 4.

The High Sparrow

The High Sparrow is the name of the new High Septon in Season 5 – the head of the Faith of the Seven religion in Westeros. The name comes after the new High Septon sells his cloth robes and gold and guides the religion in a more traditional – and militant – direction. The religious leader will clash with Cersei (Lena Heady) throughout the new episodes as the Faith gains power. Jonathan Pryce will play the new character.

Doran Martell

Prince Doran Martell (Alexander Siddig) is the ruling prince of Dorne. The wheelchair-bound leader will become a major character as the region becomes an important locale in the show’s plot. His handicap is the result of a bad case of gout, which kept from attending Joffrey’s (Jack Gleeson) wedding in Season 4 – Doran’s brother Oberyn went instead.

Areo Hotah

Areo (DeObia Oparei) is the personal bodyguard for Doran Martell. The soldier will be important in Season 5 when he is sent to stop the Sand Snakes – and others – from making any reckless attempts to avenge Oberyn’s death.

Trystane Martell

In Season 2, Cersei’s daughter Myrcella (Nell Tiger Free) was married off to a prince and sent away to live in Dorne. That prince was Trystane Martell (Toby Sebastian). The young ruler will make his debut in the Season 5 premiere as the Martell family takes interest in his Lannister wife.

Denys Mallister

Mallister (J.J. Murphy) is a senior member of the Night’s Watch who will play a part in the upcoming selection of a new Lord Commander after the death of Jeor Mormont (James Cosmo).

Which new character are you most excited to see? Tweet your thoughts to @Ja9GarofaloTV.