The Royal Wedding fast approaches / Credit: Sky Atlantic

The wait is almost over for Game of Thrones fans, and as hundreds of media, celebrities and competition winners poured into the Guildhall in London last night for the season's UK premiere, the anticipation and excitement was palpable.

First came the announcement that revealed Sky Atlantic was to simulcast the season four premiere with the USA on Monday, April 7, and then the lights dimmed and the main event was upon us.

King Joffrey is soon to be wed / Credit: Sky Atlantic

Valyrian steel. The most powerful and magical alloy known to man in all of Westeros; a metal forged to create weapons of a quality that highly surpasses anything else, and one that seems will play a huge part in the events to follow.

As the season opener seems to lay out the foundations of what's to come in later episodes: the royal wedding; Daenerys' need to save those who need help; the Wildling's impending attack on The Wall; Jaime and Cersei's relationship - the list goes on - we are also introduced to new characters.

Daario has been recast / Credit: Sky Atlantic

A face you may not recognise is that of Michiel Huisman, but the role he's stepping into isn't one we haven't met before. He's in fact replacing Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis - Daeny's mercenary captain who can't keep his eyes off the Mother of Dragons.

Then there's Oberyn Martell, played ever so brilliantly by Pedro Pascal. He's the second Prince of Dorne who's arrived at King's Landing for the biggest event of the year - a mysterious and alluring character that's sinister yet likeable because of his hate for the Lannister family.

Prince Oberyn Martell arrives in King's Landing / Credit: Sky Atlantic

Standout moments came from Rory McCann as The Hound who had audiences roaring with laughter as he dropped the c-bomb on more than one occasion, continuing a fantastic relationship with Maisie Williams in the role of Arya Stark. They're a duo to keep an eye on, delivering comedic moments as well as raw brutality. Arya is a character you can easily root for - never traditionally feminine ("I'm a GIRL!") but forced to rid herself of any innocence she may have had back in the first season.

The Hound provides much needed moments of laughter / Credit: Sky Atlantic

The promise comes that things are to kick off really early this season, with Liam Cunningham promising a lot of "WTF moments" throughout. As a fan of the books, I know that's certainly no lie.

Game of Thrones premieres in the UK at 2am on Sky Atlantic and Sky Atlantic HD on Monday April 7, and also airs at 9pm on the same day.

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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