The past few years have produced incredible success for HBO’s hit fantasy show Game of Thrones as it prepares to return to our television screens in April.

The last two series in particular have been riveting to watch though the long wait for its return on has been a frustrating one!

Thankfully, fans will be pleased to know that a couple of trailers for the upcoming fifth series have been released. Fans of David Bowie will appreciate the cover of his hit song “Heroes” which can be heard in the first preview.

Following on from the dramatic events of Series 4, the footage shows a bearded Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) now free from King’s Landing as he and Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) discuss the future ruler of Westeros.

Meanwhile, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) is glimpsed several times in the trailer as she issues a chilling warning threatening to “break the wheel” when it comes to the Westerosi houses. However her reign in Meereen is set to come under threat from a sinister group known as the Sons of the Harpy.

Back in King’s Landing, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is baying for blood in the aftermath of her father’s death at the hands of Tyrion. But we also see her grow jealous of her son King Tommen (Dean Charles-Chapman) marrying the scheming Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) for which she then decides to complicate the relationship by seeking the help of a group of religious fanatics known as the Faith Militant.

Meanwhile Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) goes on a risky mission to Dorne to rescue his and Cersei’s daughter Myrcella (now played by Nell Tiger Free) whose life is in danger as a vengeful Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma) vows to hurt the Lannisters for their role in the brutal death of her husband Oberyn in Series 4.

At Castle Black, Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane) and his army are planning to launch an attack on the Boltons who are now based in Winterfell. However Jon Snow (Kit Harington) decides to make the controversial decision to seek help from the Wildlings despite their previous battles as the threat of the White Walkers looms large.

Elsewhere, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) finds herself in familiar territory whilst being escorted by Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish (Aidan Gillen) though Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) and Podrick Payne (Daniel Portman) are not far behind.

Finally in Braavos, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) enters the House of Black and White where she gets the opportunity to reunite with an old friend.

However there is no appearance for Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) or his companions at all in this series owing to their story arc being finished in the book.

The rest of the talented ensemble back for Season 5 include Liam Cunningham (Ser Davos Seaworth), Carice Van Houten (Melisandre), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Hannah Murray (Gilly), Jerome Flynn (Bronn), Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy / Reek), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis), Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane), Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen H’ghar), Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Bolton) and Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont).

There are also recurring appearances for Diana Rigg (Olenna Tyrell), Julian Glover (Grand Maester Pycelle), Anton Lesser (Qyburn), Finn Jones (Loras Tyrell), Roger Ashton-Griffiths (Mace Tyrell), Eugene Simon (Lancel Lannister), Ian Gelder (Kevan Lannister), Ian McElhinney (Ser Barristan Selmy), Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Joel Fry (Hizdahr zo Loraq), Ian Beattie (Meryn Trant), Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane), Peter Vaughan (Maester Aemon), Owen Teale (Alliser Thorne), Dominic Carter (Janos Slynt), Ben Crompton (Dorian Edd), Brenock O’Connor (Olly), Richard Brake (Night King), Tara Fitzgerald (Selyse Baratheon), Kerry Ingram (Shireen Baratheon), Charlotte Hope (Myranda), Will Tudor (Olyvar), Elizabeth Webster (Walda Bolton), Rupert Vansittart (Yohn Royce), Lino Facioli (Robin Arryn), Mark Gatiss (Tycho Nestoris) and Ciaran Hinds (Mance Rayder).

The biggest acting newcomer to the series is British veteran Jonathan Pryce (Brazil, Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy) who has been cast as the High Sparrow, the head of the Faith Militant who ends up working with Cersei.

With Dorne being a major set-piece this year, there are several more key castings with Alexander Siddig (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Da Vinci’s Demons) portraying the late Oberyn Martell’s brother Prince Doran while Oscar nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider, Sons of Anarchy), Jessica Henwick (Spirit Warriors, Silk) and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (The Whistleblower, Balancing Act) are playing Oberyn’s three daughters.

The rest of the acting newbies include Faye Marsay (The White Queen, Pride) as the Waif, DeObia Oparei (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Dredd) as Areo Hotah, Hannah Waddingham (Les Miserables, Benidorm) as Septa Unella, Toby Sebastian (After the Dark, The Hollow Crown) as Trystane Martell, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen (The Passion of Marie, Borgen) as Karsi and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Oz, Lost) as Malko.

Game of Thrones’ fifth series will begin the first of its ten episode run on Sky Atlantic on April 13th.