‘Game of Thrones’ season 4 spoilers: Dubrovnik filming, and more on Mark Gatiss

We’ll start this “Game of Thrones” season 4 update with just a brief summary of the filming progression so far. There has already been some shooting completed in Iceland this year, but it is not the same sort of Night’s Watch footage that we have had in the past. Think of it as a sunnier, cheerier part of the country during the summer months, and with Maisie Williams and Gwendoline Christie present for most of it.

Following that, production is now in Dubrovnik proper filming some scenes set around the fictional city of King’s Landing. There has of course been work done in Northern Ireland all summer long at the various stages and in the wilderness, though trying to find out specifics about most of this would be a lost cause. (Plus, we’re not too interested in spoiling anything severe; if you want to know major plot points, go read the books.)

Finally, we’ll turn now to the latest news breaking about “Doctor Who’s” Mark Gatiss, and the part that he is going to play on this show. According to a report from Winter is Coming (using his CV as evidence), Gatiss will take on the part of Tycho Nestoris from the Iron Bank of Braavos. This is an institution that tends to fund the enemies of those it lends money to, provided that these patrons fail to repay the debt. While a Lannister is said to always pay their debts, it became clear last year that the crown owes quite a bit of coin thanks to their wedding planning and countless other resources. Could this be trouble? Possibly, but we are only speculating at the moment. There is no guarantee that Tycho is tied to this story at all.

If you want to check out some more “Game of Thrones” coverage, including a fun video that is largely all about Red Wedding reactions, just be sure to click here. The series will return to HBO with new episodes starting in the spring of 2014.

Photo: HBO