It's about time Peter Dinklage returned to TV.

The actor has been tapped to play a key role in HBO's fantasy pilot Game of Thrones. The pilot is based on George R.R. Martin's "Songs of Fire and Ice" novels and will take place in a violent fantasy kingdom. Dinklage will play the brother of the kingdom's queen, who is shunned because of his size.

Game of Thrones will reunite Dinklage with The Station Agent director Tom McCarthy, who is directing the pilot. McCarthy seems like an odd choice to direct a fantasy pilot. The actor-turned-director has only helmed two films, Agent and The Visitor, both low budget character dramas. Hopefully, this means Game of Thrones will deliver good character drama, as well as cool fantasy elements.