Sean Bean has joined the cast of TNT's 'Snowpiercer'.

Sean Bean

Sean Bean

The 'Game of Thrones' star has been confirmed to play a regular in the second series, despite the fact that the first run isn't even set to air until next year.

The upcoming show is set seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, and focuses on the remnants of humanity inhabiting a perpetually-moving train that circles the globe.

Based on the 2013 film of the same name, the series will explore the themes of class warfare, social injustice and the politics of survival.

Details about Sean's character are being kept under wraps, but he will join a cast that includes Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs.

Meanwhile, the 60-year old is currently starring in the BBC drama 'World on Fire' and recently admitted that he was fed up of the characters he portrayed being killed off.

Sean's alter egos died in a whole range of projects - including 'Game of Thrones' and 'Lord of the Rings' - and he has rejected roles that end in an on-screen death.

He said: "I've turned down stuff. I've said, 'They know my character's going to die because I'm in it!' I just had to cut that out and start surviving, otherwise it was all a bit predictable.

"I did do one job and they said, 'We're going to kill you', and I was like, 'Oh no!' and then they said, 'Well, can we injure you badly?' and I was like, 'OK, so long as I stay alive this time'.

"I've played a lot of baddies, they were great but they weren't very fulfilling - and I always died."