Michael McElhatton is an Irish actor and scriptwriter. He won the IFTA Award for Best Actor in 2003 for his role in the comedy series Paths to Freedom, which he also co-wrote. In Game of Thrones, McElhatton played the role of Lord Roose Bolton. He was confirmed in the role on August 10, 2011. He joined the cast as a guest star in the second season and returned for the third, and fourth, and was promoted to starring cast member for the fifth.