'Game Of Thrones' Season 2 Trailer Released

HBO recently revealed their first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated second season of Game of Thrones, the fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin's epic books.

The trailer, entitled "The Cold Winds Are Rising" hints at how the show will deal with the aftermath of Ned Stark's (Sean Bean) surprising death on the first season's finale. One thing is certain — the fight for the throne to the land of Westeros is more intense than ever. There's even a new character laying down a claim.

"My brother left no true-born heirs," Stephene Dillane's Stannis Baratheon says in the trailer's voiceover. "The Iron Throne is mine by right. They will bend the knee or I will destroy them," he promises. "The cold winds are rising."

Writer and co-executive producer David Benioff understands his fans' deep connection with the characters. "You become very attached," he told New York's The Daily News. "You want to find out what's going to happen next, but at the same time you're very nervous about what's going to happen to them," he said. "Generally with good reason, because George is a savage god and he does terrible things to his characters."

Game of Thrones, also starring Lena Headey (pictured) and Peter Dinklage, was just honored as one of the American Film Institute's Top TV Programs of the Year. It will return to HBO in April 2012.

Watch the trailer for Season 2 here: