Dublin actor Liam Cunningham says that his experience in theatre helped him in his latest “Game of Thrones” role.

"I think there is a great tradition of theatre in Europe, which involves two-hour-long plays with lots of dialogue, and I think that lends itself well to something like 'Game of Thrones,'" he told the Irish Independent.

The film star revealed that he was forced to turn down a role in the first series of the hit HBO show and was delighted when the opportunity arose for the latest series.

"I'd met some of the guys for a different role but because of timing and availability it didn't work out.

"For the second season, the producers said they liked what I had done already and asked if I would come back. I was delighted to.

"I'd already worked with some of the cast before such as Aidan Gillen, and with Rory McCann on 'Clash of the Titans.'"

Cunningham said he was delighted to star in HBO production which is mainly filmed in Northern Ireland.

"The productions HBO are creating right now are some of the best television shows that have ever been made.

"The show is beautifully crafted, with great visuals and writing, and it's full of extraordinary characters doing extraordinary things.

"People who haven't seen the show might say to themselves they're not into swords and magic but 'Game of Thrones' is much more than that -- it's a drama with great characters."

The show’s second season is based on ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ novel by author George R. R. Martin.

"Anyone that's not usually into the fantasy genre should watch 'Game of Thrones'. It's a character-driven, incredibly intense human drama, with a backdrop of fantasy that's just one small layer of what it is about," Cunningham added.

Game of Thrones: Season 2 HBO GO First Look Trailer: