Game of Thrones-alumnus Joseph Mawle cast as villain in Lord of The Rings TV series

Amazon's highly-anticipated Lord of the Rings TV series has found its villain. Game of Thrones-star Joseph Mawle has joined the cast of the scripted drama project, according to sources.

Mawle, who essayed the role of Benjen Stark in Game of Thrones, is believed to be playing a villain named Oren in the Amazon Prime original show. He joins a cast that also includes Will Poulter (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) and Australian actor Markella Kavenagh. 

JA Bayona (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) is set to direct the first two episodes of the Lord of the Rings series. He will also executive produce along with his producing partner Belén Atienza. 

Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke said in August that the creative team has been "working for months" on breaking the first season of the show. Production is slated to begin in 2020.
 
Once production budgets, casting, writers, producers, and visual effects are factored in, the total cost for the Lord of the Rings series could reach as high as $1 billion.