Game of Thrones: If You Haven't Read the Books, You Need to Know About These Season 6 Characters

Updated on 4/24/2016 at 7:00 AM

There are a bunch of new characters coming to Game of Thrones in season six, but not all of them are completely "new." In fact, if you've read George R.R. Martin's book series, you've already met a number of them. The upcoming season features a wide array of characters who have either been mentioned or appeared in the A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Samwell Tarly's family is coming, as well as a relative of Theon's who will inevitably wreak some havoc. Before you fall into a hole of season six details and quotes from the cast, check out our guide to the characters who aren't new to the books but will be new to viewers of the TV series.

Euron Greyjoy, played by Pilou Asbæk

Euron (nickname: "Crow's Eye") is Theon Greyjoy's uncle, and he's one of the most highly anticipated (and feared) new characters. He's alluded to in the first season, when Tyrion tells Theon about how Theon's uncles caused the Raid on Lannisport. In the books, Euron wears an eyepatch and is known for being manipulative, unpredictable, and violent. He is banished from the Iron Islands for raping a woman, and he's just been sailing around raping and pillaging other cities ever since. He's mentioned in the first five books but only appears in A Feast For Crows.

Khal Moro, played by Joe Naufahu

Khal Moro appears in the book A Game of Thrones, then is mentioned in A Feast for Crows. He's an ally of Daenerys Targaryen.

Randyll Tarly, played by James Faulkner

This is Samwell Tarly's father, whom he has talked about several times on the show. Randyll is the Lord of Horn Hill, and he's a fierce man — very different than the kind and gentle Sam. He is either mentioned or appears in the first five books of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Melissa Florent, played by Samantha Spiro

Melissa Florent is Sam's mother. She is mentioned in A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast For Crows, as Sam tells Jon Snow that they could send Gilly and her child to Melissa to keep them safe. On screen, Sam has talked about her in past seasons of the show, but this is the first time we'll get to meet her.

Dickon Tarly, played by Freddie Stroma

Dickon is Sam's younger brother. Since Sam joins the Night's Watch (and is therefore ineligible to inherit property), Dickon is the heir to Horn Hill. He is mentioned in A Game of Thrones, A Feast For Crows, and A Dance With Dragons, in which he marries a 13-year-old named Eleanor Mooton.

Talla Tarly, played by Rebecca Benson

Talla is Sam's sister, and she's mentioned in A Storm of Swords. We'll get to meet her this season!

Izembaro, probably played by Richard E. Grant

This role hasn't been confirmed yet, but it's widely speculated that Grant is playing Izembaro, the leader of a theater troupe. (Essie Davis and Kevin Eldon are playing actors in his new play, "The Bloody Hand.") He's a friend of the Faceless Men, and he comes into contact with Arya in The Winds of Winter.

Smalljon Umber, played by Dean S. Jagger

Umber appears as part of Robb Stark's guard in A Game of Thrones and A Storm of Swords. He's the son of Lord Greatjohn Umber and the heir to the Last Hearth. In the books, he actually dies during the massacre at the Red Wedding. It's unclear how he'll factor into the TV series.