'Game of Thrones' Season 3 preview: New characters, new locations, new stories [Video]

Winter has come, but "Game of Thrones" fans will have to wait until spring for the third season of the acclaimed drama.

But as a little holiday treat, HBO released a tantalizing behind-the-scenes look at the production of Season 3.

"It's always fun and exciting to come back to see what else they've created -- all these new sets and costumes," said Peter Dinklage (Tyrion).

The preview gives fans glimpses of characters like King Beyond the Wall Mance Raydar (Ciaran Hinds); Olenna Tyrell, aka the Queen of Thorns (Diana Rigg); and Bran Stark's companions Jojen and Meera Reed (Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Ellie Kendrick).

[Related: Meet the new faces of 'Game of Thrones' Season 3]

Season 3 was shot in Ireland, Iceland, Morocco, and Croatia, among other places.

"What keeps it fresh is that it's such an expansive world," noted executive producer D.B. Weiss. "It's such a rich, endlessly fascinating world that you can lose yourself in it."

The new characters and locations will add even more layers to the dense, complicated story.

[Related: 'Game of Thrones' Season 3 poster]

"The game is being upped," noted Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen. "There's so much more danger; there's so much more risk."

What part of the sneak peek are you most excited about? Sound off in the comments below!