Game of Thrones upgrades main character to series regular, but not in Season 4

Devoted fans of HBO's smash hit Game of Thrones may remember that Ed Skrein played the role of Daario Naharis for three episodes in the show's third season. Fans may also recall the news from late August (via The Hollywood Reporter) that the show booked former Treme star Michiel Huisman and the subsequent revelation that the producers had recast the role of Daario.

Now, TVLine reports exclusively that the producers of Game of Thrones have locked up the actor with a deal to return as a series regular. But in a bit of a twist, the status begins in a potential Season 5. (But who are we kidding? There's no way this show's not coming back for a fifth season).

Huisman is scheduled to appear as Daario in multiple Season 4 episodes as the love interest of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). In the series of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books on which the show is based, Dany and Daario begin a torrid affair early in the fifth book in the series, entitled A Dance with Dragons. Dany's associates do not approve, but she asserts her authority as queen and forges ahead with it. Still, she knows the romance will not last for long because she is a queen and he is a sellsword, though Daario does not agree.

Huisman is perhaps best known for his role as Sonny, the street musician/addict, on Treme and for his work on ABC's Nashville as a love interest for Rayna (Connie Britton). He will also appear in a recurring role in Season 2 of Orphan Black.

HBO has yet to set a premiere date for Season 4 of Game of Thrones.