The major role of Oberyn the Red Viper for season four of Game of Thrones will be filled by actor Pedro Pascal.

Entertainment Weekly first reported the news of the Chilean actor’s newest television role. Pascal has appeared on several major cable television shows, including the Good Wife, Red Widow and Graceland.

The role of Oberyn the Red Viper, real name Prince Oberyn Martell, is reportedly a very important and anticipated one, according to Entertainment Weekly. Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss commented on the casting, saying, “This was a tough one… The Red Viper is sexy and charming, yet believably dangerous; intensely likable, yet driven by hate. The boys love him, the girls love him, and he loves them all back. Unless your last name is Lannister. We found a fellow who can handle the job description and make it seem effortless. He wasn’t easy to find and he won’t be easy to stop.”

Season four of the fantasy series will be covering “roughly the second half of the third book,” “A Storm of Swords”, according to the LA Times. This season will mark the first time a member of the Martell family is seen on screen.

HBO will air the fourth season of Game of Thrones sometime in early 2014.