Game of Thrones actor, audiobook narrator Roy Dotrice dead at 94
For many George R.R. Martin fans out there, Dotrice was well known well before the show first came on HBO. He was the narrator for the audiobook versions of A Song of Ice and Fire, and voiced well over 200 different characters over the course of the books that are actually out there. This is a man known for his distinctive voice and incredible energy, and he apparently had that in one way or another for much of his life. He died at the age of 94.
The love that was out there for Dotrice was such that he did find his way onto the HBO show for a brief role earlier on in the show’s run as Hallyne, a pyromaster who was in a pair of season 2 episodes. This was a great nod to everyone who loved the audiobooks, and originally, there was a plan out there to use him for even more than just this. According to a new report that is coming in now via Entertainment Weekly, there was at one point talk about casting Dotrice as Maester Pycelle; however, this move was later scrapped due to health issues. One way or another, we’re glad that the actor had a chance to be a part of both the TV and literary versions of this world.
One thing that will most likely feel difficult for many audiobook fans out there is knowing that Dotrice is not around to serve in this capacity for the final editions of A Song of Ice and Fire. There are still two more books coming in The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring — we don’t want to start speculating as to when they could be out there (this is not the time or place for that), but they would need a new narrator now who has some incredible shoes to try and fill. They have more of our sympathy than we can possibly express here given that Dotrice was a legend. He was skilled in his craft, incredibly gifted, and probably someone who doesn’t receive the recognition that he probably deserves for all the work that he put into the show. He will be sorely missed.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Dotrice and everyone who knew/loved him during this very difficult time. (Photo: HBO.)