It’s been so far, so bloody good for HBO’s Game of Thrones as the hit fantasy series prepares to return to our television screens.

With two acclaimed series out of the way, the small-screen adaptation of George R.R Martin’s treasured novels is set for its darkest season yet as it bids to make it a hat trick of successes so far.

The trailer for Series 3 has premiered online as fans continue to worry about the fate of their favourite characters….

Following her awkward time in Qarth in Season 2, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) is looking to bolster her bid to take back Westeros by purchasing an army with the help of her growing dragons as well as her loyal followers.

Meanwhile after their victory over Stannis Baratheon’s army in Blackwater Bay, the Lannisters are seeking to forge a new alliance with the Tyrells by having the vile King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) marry Margaery (Natalie Dormer). Unfortunately this does not go down well with Joffrey’s mother Cersei (Lena Headey) which leads to conflict with her father Tywin (Charles Dance). Despite his heroics at Blackwater, Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) continues to be mistreated by his family along with the unfortunate Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner).

Beyond the Wall, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) has infiltrated the Wildling army as he learns that their leader Mance Rayder (Ciaran Hinds) is planning to launch an attack on Castle Black. Jon is then forced to accompany a band of wildlings including the fiery Ygritte (Rose Leslie) on a mission to climb the Wall.

Meanwhile, Robb Stark (Richard Madden) and his army continue their campaign to attack King’s Landing with the support of his mother Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) and his new wife Talisa (Oona Chaplin). But when various obstacles get in the way, the ‘King in the North’ is forced to seek help from an old adversary.

The younger Stark children embark on their own individual missions with Arya (Maisie Williams) and her friend Gendry (Joe Dempsie) encountering a rebel group known as the “Brotherhood Without Banners”. Meanwhile, Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright), Rickon (Art Parkinson) and co. also meet new faces in the form of siblings Jojen (Thomas Sangster) and Meera Reed (Ellie Kendrick) as the group attempt to locate the Three Eyed Raven.

After his failed attempt to take control of Winterfell, Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen) finds himself in captivity with his only hopes of escaping in the hands of a mysterious young man (Iwan Rheon) while Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) struggles to get over his defeat at Blackwater as he looks to revive his plans to capture Westeros’ capital. Finally Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) is tasked with bringing Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) back to King’s Landing though perils face the pair along the way.

The rest of the main actors back for this season are Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont), Aidan Gillen (Petyr “Baelish” Littlefinger), Liam Cunningham (Ser Davos Seaworth), Carice Van Houten (Melisandre), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Sibel Kekilli (Shae), Rory McCann (Sandor “The Hound” Clegane), Conleth Hill (Lord Varys), Jerome Flynn (Bronn) and James Cosmo (Jeor Mormont).

Other returnees include Julian Glover (Grand Maester Pycelle), Finn Jones (Loras Tyrell), Ian Beattie (Meryn Trant), Daniel Portman (Podrick Payne), Esme Bianco (Ros), Kristian Nairn (Hodor), Natalia Tena (Osha), Ian McElhinney (Ser Barristan Selmy), Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), John Stahl (Rickard Karstark), Ben Hawkey (Hot Pie), Peter Vaughan (Maester Aemon), Robert Pugh (Craster), Hannah Murray (Gilly), Ben Crompton (Dorian Edd), Mark Stanley (Grenn), Josef Altin (Pypar), Luke Barnes (Rast), Patrick Malahide (Balon Greyjoy), Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy), Lucian Msamati (Salladhor Saan) and David Bradley (Walder Frey).

Veteran British actress Diana Rigg is the high-profile casting of this series as she takes on the role of Olenna Tyrell, grandmother to Margaery and Loras. However there are plenty of other Thrones newcomers to look forward to including Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane, MacKenzie Crook as Orell Skinchanger, Clive Russell as Brynden Tully, Tobias Menzies as Edmure Tully, Richard Dormer as Beric Dondarrion, Paul Kaye as Thoros of Myr, Noah Taylor as Locke, Tara Fitzgerald as Selyse Baratheon, Kerry Ingram as Shireen Baratheon, Jacob Anderson as Greyworm, Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei, Anton Lesser as Qyburn, Burn Gorman as Karl Tanner, Phillip McGinley as Anguy, Will Tudor as Olyvar, Charlotte Hope as Myranda and Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis.

Game of Thrones Series 3 will premiere on HBO / Sky Atlantic on March 31st.