Netflix fans exclaim 'are you kidding?' as Game of Thrones star signs up for huge new role

Game of Thrones fans are in a frenzy after an actor was cast in a major new Netflix role.

Jack Gleeson, known for portraying Joffrey Baratheon in the hit fantasy series, has now been confirmed for The Sandman season two - in what will be his biggest role in years. The Irish actor has only taken on a small number of roles since his Game of Thrones stint ended in 2014.

He has appeared in independent theatre, the 2020 BBC miniseries Out of Her Mind and Irish thriller The Land of Saints and Sinners. Jack also made a small appearance in the fourth season of Sex Education as Dodgy Mo. Now he will play malevolent hobgoblin Puck in The Sandman's next instalment, based on Neil Gaiman’s iconic graphic novel of the same name.

READ MORE: What is Tubi? The free streaming service rivalling Netflix and Disney+

READ MORE: Netflix fans vow to delete streamer if new series is cancelled and beg 'drop season 2 now'

The Sandman's first season, made up of 11 episodes, dropped in 2022. Executive produced by Allan Heinberg, it starred Tom Sturridge as Morpheus - or Dream - and Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer.

Allan is back for the show's second season, telling Netflix Tudum: "In the next chapter of The Sandman, the King of Dreams will come face-to-face — and go toe-to-toe — with the formidable rulers of Hell, Asgard, Faerie, and the realms beyond."

Announcing new cast members for season two, Netflix took to social media. Tweeting a photo of the nine new faces, it said: "Ruairi O’Connor, Indya Moore, Ann Skelly, Douglas Booth, Freddie Fox, Laurence O’Fuarain, Clive Russell, Jack Gleeson, and Steve Coogan have officially joined the cast of The Sandman. Welcome to the Dreaming."

Fans were delighted as they responded to the news - especially to see former Game of Thrones star Jack back in a major role. @fionavalsa commented: "Jack Gleeson? Are you kidding? [shocked face emoji]" as @mercapocy exclaimed: "JACK GLEESON I COULD CRY".

@ananymous_mr cheered: "King Joffrey is back... Can't wait, he plays a great villain" as @MrsColgateTotal wrote: "What a fantastic cast [fire emoji] and there’s Jack Gleason".

Some familiar faces will also be returning to the series, including Patton Oswalt, Vivienne Acheampong, Gwendoline Christie, Jenna Coleman, Ferdinand Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Vanesu Samunyai, and Razane Jammal.

The first season of The Sandman is available to stream now on Netflix.