Watch Now: First Trailer for Game of Thrones Second Season Released!

Series newcomer Stephen Dillane narrates as Stannis Baratheon

The Old Gods were good to Game of Thrones fans today.

First, the HBO hit series made AFI's list of the top ten shows of year. Huzzah! And now, HBO has decided to give fans of the show an early Christmas present: a sneak peek of all the bloody action to come when Game of Thrones returns for its second season in April. [Mandatory complaint about how far away April goes here.]

So who is making their claim for the Iron Throne in the new trailer? 

MORE: Game of Thrones First Look: Check Out What's Coming in Season Two!

Cold Wind Tease

Narrated by King Robert's brother Stannis Baratheon (GOT newbie Stephen Dillane), the new trailer makes it clear that the battle for the Iron Throne is on like Donkey Kong.

"The Iron Throne is mine by right," says Stannis. "They will bend the knee, or I will destroy them." While less than a minute long, the trailer gives us our first look at all of our beloved (and hated) characters in season two: Jon Snow (Kit Harington),  Robb Stark (Richard Madden), Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and the worst king ever, Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson). 

Now, by a show of hands, who gets chills when Stannis says, "The cold winds are rising"? Brr.

Game of Thrones returns to HBO April 2012.