The Royal Shakespeare Company has released the first official cast image for "The Mad King," the new stage production written by "Game of Thrones" author George R.R. Martin, giving fans their first proper look at the sprawling cast behind the show. The play dramatises the downfall of King Aerys II Targaryen and the tensions that spark Robert's Rebellion, events set decades before the original A Song of Ice and Fire novels, offering an early glimpse of a pivotal chapter of Westerosi history previously only referenced in passing.

The four-hour production, directed by Dominic Cooke, endured a rocky start after several preview performances were cancelled owing to what the RSC described as unforeseen production delays. Previews resumed earlier this week, however, and the first full audience gave the show a standing ovation after Cooke addressed the crowd beforehand.