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GAME OF THRONES IS ONE OF THE BEST FUCKING SHOWS OUT THERE. IT WAS SO MANY NUDE SCENES ITS LIKE WATCHING PORN!
{{pp-pc1|expiry=14:52, October 2, 2017|small=yes}}
{{good article}}
{{about|the television series|the novel in the series A Song of Ice and Fire|A Game of Thrones||A Game of Thrones (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox television
|show_name = Game of Thrones
|image = Game of Thrones title card.jpg
|genre = {{plainlist|
* [[Fantasy]]
* [[Serial (radio and television)|Serial drama]]
}}
|creator = {{plainlist|
* [[David Benioff]]
* [[D. B. Weiss]]
}}
|based_on = {{Based on|''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}
|starring = <!-- Do not add cast without consensus on the talk page --> see [[List of Game of Thrones characters#Main characters|List of ''Game of Thrones'' characters]]
|theme_music_composer = [[Ramin Djawadi]]
|opentheme = "[[Game of Thrones Theme|Main Title]]"
|composer = Ramin Djawadi
|country = United States
|language = English
|num_seasons = 7 <!-- Only update after a new season begins -->
|num_episodes = <onlyinclude>67</onlyinclude> <!-- Only update after a new episode airs -->
|list_episodes = List of Game of Thrones episodes
|executive_producer = {{plainlist|
* David Benioff
* D. B. Weiss
* [[Carolyn Strauss]]
* Frank Doelger
* [[Bernadette Caulfield]]
* George R. R. Martin
}}
|location = <!-- Per [[WP:OVERLINK]] we do not wikilink the names of countries. --><!-- Try to keep in order of prevalence -->{{plainlist|
* Canada<!-- Footage of Direwolf Ghost for S5E1 and S5E7 filmed in Calgary, digitally inserted into scene -->
* Croatia <!-- King's Landing, Red Keep, Red Waste, Qarth, Meereen -->
* Iceland <!-- Scenes north of the wall -->
* Malta <!-- S1 King's Landing exterior -->
* Morocco <!-- S3 Astapor, Yunkai -->
* Spain <!-- Dorne, Volantis -->
* Northern Ireland <!-- Main shooting location is studios in Belfast, used for most interior scenes. Also used for Winterfell, Castle Black, Vaes Dothrak, Riverrun, Iron Islands. -->
* Scotland <!-- Doune Castle in Scotland used in original pilot episode for exterior shots of Winterfell, with some of them later incorporated into Season 1 Episode 1 -->
* United States <!-- Footage of Bear for S3E7 filmed in LA, digitally inserted into scene -->
}}
|runtime = 50–80 minutes <!-- Shortest: 50:32, longest: 80.00, please update this hidden notice after each episode once runtimes have been calculated. -->
|company = {{plainlist|
* Television 360
* Grok! Television
* Generator Entertainment
* Startling Television
* Bighead Littlehead
}}
|distributor = [[Warner Bros. Television Distribution]]
|picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[16:9]] [[High-definition television|HDTV]])
|audio_format = [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1
|first_aired = {{Start date|2011|4|17}}
|last_aired = present
|related = ''[[After the Thrones]]'' <br/> ''[[Thronecast]]''
|website = http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones
|production_website = http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/
|channel = [[HBO]]
}}

'''''Game of Thrones''''' is an <!--HBO is American, thus Game of Thrones is American-->American <!--Awards/nominations do not go here--> [[fantasy]]<!-- Do not add a flavor of fantasy, such as high, epic or medieval fantasy here. Detailed discussion of genre, it it can be cited to reliable sources, belongs in the article body, not the lead sentene. --> [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] television series created by [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]]. It is an adaptation of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', [[George R. R. Martin]]'s series of fantasy novels, the first of which is ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''. It is filmed in [[Belfast]] and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and the United States. The series premiered on [[HBO]] in the United States on April 17, 2011, and its seventh season ended on August 27, 2017. The series will conclude with its eighth season in 2018 or 2019.<ref name="finalseason">{{cite web |url=http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |title=Game of Thrones: HBO clarifies prequels, final seasons plan |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 2, 2017 |accessdate=June 2, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602204015/http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |archivedate=June 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Set on the fictional continents of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|Westeros and Essos]], ''Game of Thrones'' has several plot lines and a large [[ensemble cast]] but centers on three primary [[story arc]]s. The first story arc centers on the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]] of the [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Westeros|Seven Kingdoms]] and follows a web of alliances and conflicts among the dynastic noble families either vying to claim the throne or fighting for independence from the throne. The second story arc focuses on the last descendant of the realm's deposed ruling dynasty, exiled and plotting a return to the throne. The third story arc centers on the longstanding brotherhood charged with defending the realm against the ancient threats of the fierce peoples and legendary creatures that lie far north, and an impending winter that threatens the realm.

''Game of Thrones'' has attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, international [[Fandom|fan base]]. It has been acclaimed by critics, particularly for its acting, complex characters, story, scope, and production values, although its frequent use of nudity and violence (including sexual violence) has been criticized.<!-- See the "critical reception" section for references. The lead is a summary and as such is normally not footnoted. --> The series has received 38 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] in 2015 and 2016, more than any other primetime scripted television series. Its [[List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones|other awards and nominations]] include three [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation]] (2012–2014), a 2011 [[Peabody Award]], and four nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama]] (2012 and 2015–2017). Of the ensemble cast, [[Peter Dinklage]] has won two [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (2011 and 2015) and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]] (2012) for his performance as [[Tyrion Lannister]]. [[Lena Headey]], [[Emilia Clarke]], [[Kit Harington]], [[Maisie Williams]], [[Diana Rigg]], and [[Max von Sydow]] have also received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for their performances in the series.


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'{{pp-pc1|expiry=14:52, October 2, 2017|small=yes}} {{good article}} {{about|the television series|the novel in the series A Song of Ice and Fire|A Game of Thrones||A Game of Thrones (disambiguation)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Use American English|date=August 2014}} {{Infobox television |show_name = Game of Thrones |image = Game of Thrones title card.jpg |genre = {{plainlist| * [[Fantasy]] * [[Serial (radio and television)|Serial drama]] }} |creator = {{plainlist| * [[David Benioff]] * [[D. B. Weiss]] }} |based_on = {{Based on|''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''|[[George R. R. Martin]]}} |starring = <!-- Do not add cast without consensus on the talk page --> see [[List of Game of Thrones characters#Main characters|List of ''Game of Thrones'' characters]] |theme_music_composer = [[Ramin Djawadi]] |opentheme = "[[Game of Thrones Theme|Main Title]]" |composer = Ramin Djawadi |country = United States |language = English |num_seasons = 7 <!-- Only update after a new season begins --> |num_episodes = <onlyinclude>67</onlyinclude> <!-- Only update after a new episode airs --> |list_episodes = List of Game of Thrones episodes |executive_producer = {{plainlist| * David Benioff * D. B. Weiss * [[Carolyn Strauss]] * Frank Doelger * [[Bernadette Caulfield]] * George R. R. Martin }} |location = <!-- Per [[WP:OVERLINK]] we do not wikilink the names of countries. --><!-- Try to keep in order of prevalence -->{{plainlist| * Canada<!-- Footage of Direwolf Ghost for S5E1 and S5E7 filmed in Calgary, digitally inserted into scene --> * Croatia <!-- King's Landing, Red Keep, Red Waste, Qarth, Meereen --> * Iceland <!-- Scenes north of the wall --> * Malta <!-- S1 King's Landing exterior --> * Morocco <!-- S3 Astapor, Yunkai --> * Spain <!-- Dorne, Volantis --> * Northern Ireland <!-- Main shooting location is studios in Belfast, used for most interior scenes. Also used for Winterfell, Castle Black, Vaes Dothrak, Riverrun, Iron Islands. --> * Scotland <!-- Doune Castle in Scotland used in original pilot episode for exterior shots of Winterfell, with some of them later incorporated into Season 1 Episode 1 --> * United States <!-- Footage of Bear for S3E7 filmed in LA, digitally inserted into scene --> }} |runtime = 50–80 minutes <!-- Shortest: 50:32, longest: 80.00, please update this hidden notice after each episode once runtimes have been calculated. --> |company = {{plainlist| * Television 360 * Grok! Television * Generator Entertainment * Startling Television * Bighead Littlehead }} |distributor = [[Warner Bros. Television Distribution]] |picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[16:9]] [[High-definition television|HDTV]]) |audio_format = [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 |first_aired = {{Start date|2011|4|17}} |last_aired = present |related = ''[[After the Thrones]]'' <br/> ''[[Thronecast]]'' |website = http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones |production_website = http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/ |channel = [[HBO]] }} '''''Game of Thrones''''' is an <!--HBO is American, thus Game of Thrones is American-->American <!--Awards/nominations do not go here--> [[fantasy]]<!-- Do not add a flavor of fantasy, such as high, epic or medieval fantasy here. Detailed discussion of genre, it it can be cited to reliable sources, belongs in the article body, not the lead sentene. --> [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] television series created by [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]]. It is an adaptation of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', [[George R. R. Martin]]'s series of fantasy novels, the first of which is ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''. It is filmed in [[Belfast]] and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and the United States. The series premiered on [[HBO]] in the United States on April 17, 2011, and its seventh season ended on August 27, 2017. The series will conclude with its eighth season in 2018 or 2019.<ref name="finalseason">{{cite web |url=http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |title=Game of Thrones: HBO clarifies prequels, final seasons plan |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 2, 2017 |accessdate=June 2, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602204015/http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |archivedate=June 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Set on the fictional continents of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|Westeros and Essos]], ''Game of Thrones'' has several plot lines and a large [[ensemble cast]] but centers on three primary [[story arc]]s. The first story arc centers on the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]] of the [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Westeros|Seven Kingdoms]] and follows a web of alliances and conflicts among the dynastic noble families either vying to claim the throne or fighting for independence from the throne. The second story arc focuses on the last descendant of the realm's deposed ruling dynasty, exiled and plotting a return to the throne. The third story arc centers on the longstanding brotherhood charged with defending the realm against the ancient threats of the fierce peoples and legendary creatures that lie far north, and an impending winter that threatens the realm. ''Game of Thrones'' has attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, international [[Fandom|fan base]]. It has been acclaimed by critics, particularly for its acting, complex characters, story, scope, and production values, although its frequent use of nudity and violence (including sexual violence) has been criticized.<!-- See the "critical reception" section for references. The lead is a summary and as such is normally not footnoted. --> The series has received 38 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] in 2015 and 2016, more than any other primetime scripted television series. Its [[List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones|other awards and nominations]] include three [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation]] (2012–2014), a 2011 [[Peabody Award]], and four nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama]] (2012 and 2015–2017). Of the ensemble cast, [[Peter Dinklage]] has won two [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (2011 and 2015) and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]] (2012) for his performance as [[Tyrion Lannister]]. [[Lena Headey]], [[Emilia Clarke]], [[Kit Harington]], [[Maisie Williams]], [[Diana Rigg]], and [[Max von Sydow]] have also received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for their performances in the series. =={{anchor|Premise}}Background== {{main article|List of Game of Thrones episodes}} {{See also|A Song of Ice and Fire#Plot synopsis|l1=Synopsis of A Song of Ice and Fire}} [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Weapons.jpg|thumb|alt=Weapons in the series|Power and violence are central themes of ''Game of Thrones'', and the number of weapons made for the series (some of which are shown here) reflects this.]] ===Setting=== {{main article|World of A Song of Ice and Fire}} ''Game of Thrones'' is roughly based on the storylines of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'',<ref name="var">{{cite news |last=Fleming|first=Michael|title =HBO turns 'Fire' into fantasy series|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date =January 16, 2007|accessdate=March 2, 2010|url=http://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/hbo-turns-fire-into-fantasy-series-1117957532/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516224747/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957532?refCatId=14|archivedate=May 16, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Cogman|first=Bryan|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|accessdate=November 6, 2016|date=November 6, 2014|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0|page=4|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|archivedate=November 6, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the continent of Essos. The series chronicles the violent dynastic struggles among the realm's noble families for the Iron Throne, while other families fight for independence from it. It opens with additional threats in the icy North and Essos in the east.<ref name="gotfactsheet">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307150640/http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |title=From HBO |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=July 16, 2010 |publisher=Not a Blog |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |accessdate=March 14, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Showrunner]] David Benioff jokingly suggested "''[[The Sopranos]]'' in [[Middle-earth]]" as ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} [[tagline]], referring to its intrigue-filled plot and dark tone in a fantasy setting of magic and dragons.<ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503185336/http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/47040/ |archivedate=May 3, 2016 |last=Kachka |first=Boris |title=Dungeon Master: David Benioff |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=May 18, 2008 |url= http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/47040/ |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> In a 2012 study of deaths per episode, it ranked second out of 40 recent U.S. TV drama series (with an average of 14).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629182833/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911 |archivedate=June 29, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' Topped by 'Spartacus: Vengeance' as TV's Deadliest Series| url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911|accessdate=May 23, 2012|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 22, 2012| first=Michael| last=O'Connell|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Themes=== {{Main article|Themes in A Song of Ice and Fire}} The series is generally praised for what is perceived as a sort of medieval realism.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Orr |first=David |authorlink=David Orr (journalist) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all |title=Dragons Ascendant: George R. R. Martin and the Rise of Fantasy |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 12, 2011 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6FSBH1FPF?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |archivedate=March 28, 2013 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> George R.R. Martin set out to make the story feel more like historical fiction than contemporary fantasy, with less emphasis on magic and sorcery and more on battles, political intrigue, and the characters, believing that magic should be used moderately in the epic fantasy genre.<ref>{{cite web|last=Richards |first=Linda |url=http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |title=January interview: George R.R. Martin |work=[[January Magazine]] |date=January 2001 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ff9Skfe?url=http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |title=His Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: George R. R. Martin Talks ''Game of Thrones'' |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 1, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402184647/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=April 2, 2011 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="themes">{{cite book|last=Cogman|first=Bryan|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|accessdate=November 6, 2016|date=November 6, 2014|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0|page=7|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|archivedate=November 6, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Martin has stated that "the true horrors of human history derive not from orcs and Dark Lords, but from ourselves."<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> A common theme in the fantasy genre is the battle between [[good and evil]], which Martin says does not mirror the real world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gevers |first=Nick |authorlink=Nick Gevers |url=http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |title=Sunsets of High Renown – An Interview with George R. R. Martin |publisher=Infinity Plus |date=December 2000 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ffA94Sr?url=http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Just like people's capacity for good and for evil in real life, Martin explores the questions of redemption and character change.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402202912/http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/06/10/martin-talks-about-new-series-game-thrones|archivedate=April 2, 2016|url=http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/06/10/martin-talks-about-new-series-game-thrones |title=The battle between good and evil reigns – Martin talks about new series ''Game of Thrones'' |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 11, 2011 |accessdate=August 22, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The show allows the audience to view different characters from their perspective, unlike in many other fantasies, and thus the supposed villains can provide their side of the story.<ref name="themes"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Baum |first=Michele Dula |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/books/04/11/george.rr.martin/index.html |title=''A Song of Ice and Fire'' – Author George R.R. Martin's fantastic kingdoms |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 11, 2001 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66fwaYo3j?url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/books/04/11/george.rr.martin/index.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Benioff said, "George brought a measure of harsh realism to high fantasy. He introduced gray tones into a black-and-white universe."<ref name="themes"/> In early seasons, under the influence of the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' books, main characters were regularly killed off, and this was credited with developing tension among viewers.<ref name="ign 7.7">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/28/game-of-thrones-the-dragon-and-the-wolf-review |title=Game of Thrones: "The Dragon and the Wolf" Review |publisher=IGN |accessdate=August 28, 2017 |date=August 27, 2017 |author=Fowler, Matt}}</ref> Later seasons, however, critics pointed out that certain characters had developed "plot armor", attributing this to the show's deviating from the books and becoming more of a traditional television series.<ref name="ign 7.7"/> The series also reflects the substantial death rates in war.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kirschling |first=Gregory |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20161804,00.html |title=George R.R. Martin answers your questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 27, 2007 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ffAO5ka?url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20161804%2C00.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boulaziz|first=Louisa|url=http://universitas.no/nyheter/61703/game-of-thrones-is-realistic|title=Game of Thrones is realistic|work=[[Universitas (newspaper)|Universitas]]|date=September 13, 2016|accessdate=May 30, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320101232/http://universitas.no/nyheter/61703/game-of-thrones-is-realistic|archivedate=March 20, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ===Inspirations and derivations=== Although the first season closely follows the events of the first novel, later seasons have made significant changes. According to David Benioff, the show is "about adapting the series as a whole and following the map George laid out for us and hitting the major milestones, but not necessarily each of the stops along the way".<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430065802/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners |archivedate=April 30, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners |title=Game of Thrones showrunners answer burning season 5 questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdate=March 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tom Holland of ''[[The Guardian]]'' believes that the novels and their adaptations base aspects of their settings, characters, and plot on events in European history.<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629202416/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history |archivedate=June 29, 2013 |last=Holland|first=Tom|title=Game of Thrones is more brutally realistic than most historical novels|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history|accessdate=March 24, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 24, 2013|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> Most of Westeros is reminiscent of [[high medieval]] Europe, from lands and cultures,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 27, 2013 |last=Mund |first=Lucas |title=Are the Lands of Westeros Inspired by Real-Life Countries? |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/03/27/game_of_thornes_are_the_kingdoms_of_westeros_inspired_by_real_life_countries.html |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |accessdate=February 9, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211082840/http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/03/27/game_of_thornes_are_the_kingdoms_of_westeros_inspired_by_real_life_countries.html |archivedate=February 11, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> to the palace intrigue, [[Feudalism|feudal system]], castles, and knightly tournaments. A principal inspiration for the novels is the English [[Wars of the Roses]]<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722135616/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all |archivedate=July 22, 2016 |last=Orr|first=David|title=Dragons Ascendant: George R. R. Martin and the Rise of Fantasy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=March 24, 2013|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 12, 2011| quote=Martin's books are essentially the War of the Roses with magic|deadurl=no}}</ref> (1455–85) between the houses of [[House of Lancaster|Lancaster]] and [[House of York|York]], reflected in Martin's houses of [[Lannister]] and [[Characters in A Song of Ice and Fire#House Stark|Stark]]. The scheming [[Cersei Lannister]] evokes [[Isabella of France|Isabella]], the "she-wolf of France" (1295–1358);<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013" /> Isabella and her family (particularly as portrayed in [[Maurice Druon]]'s historical-novel series, ''[[The Accursed Kings]]'') were also a main inspiration for Martin.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721223613/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993 |archivedate=July 21, 2016 |last=Milne|first=Ben|title=Game of Thrones: The cult French novel that inspired George RR Martin|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993|work=[[BBC News Magazine]]| accessdate=April 6, 2014|date=April 4, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Holland further proposes that other historical antecedents of series elements include [[Hadrian's Wall]] (which becomes Martin's Wall), the legend of [[Atlantis]] (ancient [[Valyria]]), Byzantine [[Greek fire]] ("wildfire"), Icelandic [[saga]]s of the [[Viking Age]] (the [[Ironborn]]), the [[Mongol invasions and conquests|Mongol hordes]] (the [[Dothraki Sea|Dothraki]]), the [[Hundred Years' War]] (1337–1453) and the [[Italian Renaissance]] (c. 1400–1500).<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013"/> The series' popularity has been attributed, in part, to Martin's skill at fusing these elements into a seamless, credible version of [[alternate history]].<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013" /> Martin acknowledges, "I take [history] and I file off the serial numbers and I [[up to eleven|turn it up to 11]]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lipscomb|first=Suzannah|title=Game of Thrones has hacked our history|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/23/game-of-thrones-hacked-history-britains-bloody-past|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 23, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193639/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/23/game-of-thrones-hacked-history-britains-bloody-past|archivedate=August 8, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ==Cast and characters== {{main article|List of Game of Thrones characters}} [[File:Peter Dinklage by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|alt=Peter Dinklage|upright=0.7|[[Peter Dinklage]] ([[Tyrion Lannister]]) has led the principal cast since season two]] ''Game of Thrones'' has an [[ensemble cast]] estimated to be the largest on television;<ref name="hibberd1">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105005619/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/ |archivedate=January 5, 2015 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' scoop: Season 3 character list revealed – EXCLUSIVE|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/|accessdate=March 5, 2013|date=May 29, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> during its third season, 257 cast names were recorded.<ref name="Making">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306120407/http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2012/11/2/season-3-by-the-numbers.html |archivedate=March 6, 2013 |title=Season 3: by the Numbers |url=http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2012/11/2/season-3-by-the-numbers.htm |publisher=Making Game of Thrones |accessdate=November 3, 2012 |date=November 2, 2012}}</ref> In 2014, several actor contracts were renegotiated to include a seventh-season option, with raises which reportedly made them among the highest-paid performers on [[Cable television|cable TV]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813105026/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314 |archivedate=August 13, 2016 |last1=Belloni|first1=Matthew|last2=Goldberg|first2=Lesley|title='Game of Thrones' Cast Signs for Season 7 with Big Raises|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314|accessdate=October 31, 2014|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=October 30, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, it was reported that several actor contracts were again renegotiated, with five of the main cast members having increased their salary to £2 million per episode for the last two seasons, which would make them the [[List of highest paid American television stars|highest paid actors on television]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425052433/http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/795123/Game-of-Thrones-stars-to-be-paid-millions |archivedate=April 25, 2017|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/795123/Game-of-Thrones-stars-to-be-paid-millions|title=Game Of Thrones season 7: Stars set to earn £2 Million per episode|work=[[Daily Express]]|last=Parker|first=Mike|date=April 25, 2017|accessdate=April 25, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-actors-salary-net-worth-pay-million-hbo-per-episode-a7700506.html|title=Game of Thrones season 7: Actors 'set to earn £2million per episode', making them highest-paid ever|work=[[The Independent]]|last=Hooton|first=Christopher|date=April 25, 2017|accessdate=April 25, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425052433/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-actors-salary-net-worth-pay-million-hbo-per-episode-a7700506.html|archivedate=April 25, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The main cast is listed below.<ref>{{cite press |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027172331/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=101453 |archivedate=October 27, 2014 |title=More Details on the Return of ''Game of Thrones''|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=101453|publisher=[[HBO]] (via ComingSoon.net)|accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Lord [[Ned Stark|Eddard "Ned" Stark]] ([[Sean Bean]]) is the head of House Stark, whose members are involved in plot lines throughout most of the series. He and his wife, [[Catelyn Tully]] ([[Michelle Fairley]]), have five children: [[Robb Stark|Robb]] ([[Richard Madden]]), the eldest, followed by [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] ([[Sophie Turner]]), [[Arya Stark|Arya]] ([[Maisie Williams]]), [[Bran Stark|Bran]] ([[Isaac Hempstead-Wright]]) and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]] ([[Art Parkinson]]), the youngest. Ned's [[Legitimacy (family law)|illegitimate]] son [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]] ([[Kit Harington]]) and his friend, [[Samwell Tarly]] ([[John Bradley-West|John Bradley]]), serve in the [[Night's Watch]] under Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] ([[James Cosmo]]). The Wildlings living north of the Wall include young [[Gilly (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Gilly]] ([[Hannah Murray]]), and warriors [[Tormund Giantsbane]] ([[Kristofer Hivju]]) and [[Ygritte]] ([[Rose Leslie]]).<ref name="hbo cast">{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew#/ |title=Game of Thrones: Cast |publisher=[[HBO]] |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew#/ |archivedate=September 1, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Others associated with House Stark include Ned's ward [[Theon Greyjoy]] ([[Alfie Allen]]), his [[vassal]] [[Roose Bolton]] ([[Michael McElhatton]]), and Bolton's bastard son, [[Ramsay Snow]] ([[Iwan Rheon]]). Robb falls in love with the healer [[Talisa Maegyr]] ([[Oona Chaplin]]), and Arya befriends blacksmith's apprentice [[Gendry]] ([[Joe Dempsie]]) and assassin [[Jaqen H'ghar]] ([[Tom Wlaschiha]]). The tall warrior [[Brienne of Tarth]] ([[Gwendoline Christie]]) serves Catelyn and, later, Sansa.<ref name="hbo cast"/> In King's Landing, the capital, Ned's friend King [[Robert Baratheon]] ([[Mark Addy]]) shares a loveless marriage with [[Cersei Lannister]] ([[Lena Headey]]) – who has taken her twin brother, the Kingslayer Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]<!-- Yes, it's spelled with an 'E'. It's Ser, not Sir --> ([[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]]), as her lover. She loathes her younger brother, the dwarf [[Tyrion Lannister]] ([[Peter Dinklage]]), who is attended by his mistress [[Shae (character)|Shae]] ([[Sibel Kekilli]]) and the [[mercenary]], or 'sellsword', [[Bronn (character)|Bronn]] ([[Jerome Flynn]]). Cersei's father is Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] ([[Charles Dance]]). Cersei also has two young sons<!--Do not list Myrcella here, this section is for main characters - the actress Nell Tiger Free was only ever recurring-->: [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] ([[Jack Gleeson]]) and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] ([[Dean-Charles Chapman]])<!--Do not list Myrcella here, this section is for main characters - the actress Nell Tiger Free was only ever recurring-->. Joffrey is guarded by the scar-faced warrior, [[Sandor Clegane|Sandor "the Hound" Clegane]] ([[Rory McCann]]).<ref name="hbo cast"/> The king's Small Council of advisors includes crafty Master of Coin Lord [[Petyr Baelish|Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish]] ([[Aidan Gillen]]) and [[eunuch]] spymaster Lord [[Varys]] ([[Conleth Hill]]). Robert's brother, [[Stannis Baratheon]] ([[Stephen Dillane]]), is advised by foreign priestess [[Melisandre]] ([[Carice van Houten]]) and former smuggler Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] ([[Liam Cunningham]]). The wealthy Tyrell family is primarily represented at court by [[Margaery Tyrell]] ([[Natalie Dormer]]). [[The High Sparrow]] ([[Jonathan Pryce]]) is the capital's principal religious leader. In the southern principality of Dorne, [[Ellaria Sand]] ([[Indira Varma]]) seeks vengeance against the Lannisters.<ref name="hbo cast"/> Across the Narrow Sea, siblings [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] ([[Harry Lloyd]]) and [[Daenerys Targaryen]] ([[Emilia Clarke]]) – the exiled children of the last king of the original ruling dynasty, who was overthrown by Robert Baratheon – are running for their lives and trying to win back the throne. Daenerys has been married to [[Khal Drogo]] ([[Jason Momoa]]), the leader of the nomadic Dothraki. Her retinue includes exiled knight Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] ([[Iain Glen]]), her aide [[Missandei]] ([[Nathalie Emmanuel]]) and the sellsword [[Daario Naharis]] ([[Michiel Huisman]]).<ref name="hbo cast"/> ==Production== ===Conception and development=== [[File:D. B. Weiss and David Benioff.jpg|thumb|alt=D. B. Weiss and David Benioff|Showrunners D. B. Weiss and David Benioff created the series, wrote most of its episodes and directed several.]] In January 2006, David Benioff had a phone conversation with George R. R. Martin's literary agent about the books he represented, and became interested in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' as he had been a fan of fantasy fiction when young but had not read the books before. The literary agent then sent the first four books of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' to Benioff.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&lpg=PT15#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|first=Bryan|last=Cogman|publisher=Gollancz|date=November 6, 2014|asin=B00P187U0Y|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219212618/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&lpg=PT15#v=onepage&q&f=false|archivedate=December 19, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Benioff read a few hundred pages of the first novel, ''A Game of Thrones'', shared his enthusiasm with D. B. Weiss and suggested that they adapt Martin's novels into a television series; Weiss finished the first novel in "maybe 36 hours".<ref>{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Elvis|title=UpClose: Game of Thrones with David Benioff and D. B. Weiss (Full Length)|url=https://soundcloud.com/kcrw/upclose-game-of-thrones-with|accessdate=May 15, 2013|publisher=[[KCRW]]|date=May 8, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019093107/https://soundcloud.com/kcrw/upclose-game-of-thrones-with|archivedate=October 19, 2013|df=mdy-all}} At about 2:50.</ref> They [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitched]] the series to HBO after a five-hour meeting with Martin (a veteran screenwriter) in a restaurant on [[Santa Monica Boulevard]]. According to Benioff, they won Martin over with their answer to his question, "[[Jon Snow (character)#Parentage|Who is Jon Snow's mother?]]"<ref name="variety 2"/> {{quote box |width=30em |bgcolor=White |align=left |quote=I had worked in Hollywood myself for about 10 years, from the late '80s to the '90s. I'd been on the staff of ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'' and ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1987 TV series)|Beauty and the Beast]]''. All of my first drafts tended to be too big or too expensive. I always hated the process of having to cut. I said, 'I'm sick of this, I'm going to write something that's as big as I want it to be, and it's going to have a cast of characters that go into the thousands, and I'm going to have huge castles, and battles, and dragons.|source=—George R. R. Martin, author<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011"/>}} Before being approached by Benioff and Weiss, Martin had had other meetings with other scriptwriters, most of them wanting to turn it into a feature film. Martin however deemed it "unfilmable" and impossible to be done as a feature film, stating that the size of one of his novels is as long as ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', which had been adapted as three feature films.<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011"/> Similarly, Benioff also said that it would be impossible to turn the novels into a feature film as the scale of the novels is too big for a feature film and dozens of characters would have to be discarded. Benioff added, "a fantasy movie of this scope, financed by a major studio, would almost certainly need a PG-13 rating. That means no sex, no blood, no profanity. Fuck that."<ref name="themes"/> Martin himself was pleased with the suggestion that they adapt it as an HBO series, saying that he "never imagined it anywhere else".<ref name="long_story_short">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725153103/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/video/long-story-short |archivedate=July 25, 2016|url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/video/long-story-short|title=HBO's 'Game of Thrones': Long Story Short |publisher=[[HBO]]|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> "I knew it couldn't be done as a network television series. It's too adult. The level of sex and violence would never have gone through."<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412142746/http://ew.com/article/2011/04/04/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-r-r-martin/|archivedate=April 12, 2017|url=http://ew.com/article/2011/04/04/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-r-r-martin/|title='Game of Thrones': George R. R. Martin talks HBO show|date=April 4, 2011|first=Jennifer|last=Armstrong|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> The series began development in January 2007.<ref name="var"/> HBO acquired the TV rights to the novels, with Benioff and Weiss as its executive producers, and Martin as a co-executive producer. The intention was for each novel to yield a season's worth of episodes.<ref name="var"/> Initially, Martin would write one episode per season while Benioff and Weiss would write the rest of the episodes.<ref name="var"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918180445/http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/32275-hello-from-benioff-and-weiss/page__st__40__p__1593863 |archivedate=September 18, 2013 |last=Benioff |first=David |author2=D. Weiss |title=Hello from Benioff and Weiss |work= A Song of Ice and Fire |publisher=Westeros |date=November 19, 2008 |url= http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/32275-hello-from-benioff-and-weiss/page__st__40__p__1593863|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Jane Espenson]] and Bryan Cogman were later added to write one episode apiece the first season.<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> The first and second drafts of the [[pilot episode|pilot]] script by Benioff and Weiss were submitted in August 2007<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030137/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Hudson |first=Laura |title=Talking with George R. R. Martin Part 2 |work=[[Publishers Weekly]] |date=August 14, 2007 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and June 2008,<ref name="NOB">{{cite web |title=Ice & Fire on HBO |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=June 13, 2008 |publisher=Not a Blog |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/2008/06/13/ |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120701004154/http://grrm.livejournal.com/2008/06/13/ |archivedate=July 1, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> respectively. Although HBO liked both drafts,<ref name="NOB"/><ref name="ewq&a">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017021658/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20161804%2C00.html |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |last=Kirschling |first=Gregory |title=George R.R. Martin answers your questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 27, 2007 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20161804,00.html |accessdate=March 13, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> a pilot was not ordered until November 2008;<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023128/http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |archivedate=October 16, 2014 |title=HBO orders fantasy pilot ''Thrones'' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Jame |last=Hibberd |date=November 11, 2008 |url=http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |accessdate=June 5, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] may have delayed the process.<ref name="ewq&a"/> The pilot episode, "[[Winter Is Coming]]", was first shot in 2009; after a poor reception in a private viewing, HBO demanded an extensive re-shoot (about 90 percent of the episode, with cast and directorial changes).<ref name="variety 2">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825210144/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-ending-season-5-producers-interview-1201469516/ |archivedate=August 25, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-ending-season-5-producers-interview-1201469516/ |title='Game of Thrones' Creators: We Know How It's Going to End |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 15, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20160615202502/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/game-of-thrones-original-pilot-bad |archivedate=June 15, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/game-of-thrones-original-pilot-bad |title=Game of Thrones Show-Runners Get Extremely Candid About Their Original "Piece of Sh—t" Pilot |date=February 3, 2016 |first= Joanna |last=Robinson |work= [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> The pilot reportedly cost HBO $5–10 million to produce,<ref>{{cite news| last=Hibberd |first=James |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' dailies 'look fantastic' |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-fantastic-52924 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120602120504/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-fantastic-52924 |archivedate=June 2, 2012 |date=January 14, 2010 |accessdate=July 24, 2010}}</ref> while the first season's budget was estimated at $50–60 million.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-by-numbers-178659 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-by-numbers-178659|title='Game of Thrones' by The Numbers|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=April 14, 2011|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=April 14, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the second season, the show received a 15-percent budget increase for the climactic battle in "[[Blackwater (Game of Thrones)|Blackwater]]" (which had an $8 million budget).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2014/04/07/game_of_thrones_hbo_season_2_s_blackwater_cost_8_million.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2014/04/07/game_of_thrones_hbo_season_2_s_blackwater_cost_8_million.html|title=How HBO Let Game of Thrones Make an $8 Million Episode|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|first=Frank|last=Pallotta|date=April 7, 2012|accessdate=March 14, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101132101/http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/ |archivedate=January 1, 2015 |title=This Week's Cover: 'Game of Thrones,' the battle to make season 2 epic|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/|accessdate=March 18, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 14, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Between 2012 and 2015, the average budget per episode increased from $6 million<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.eonline.com/news/318306/holy-flaming-warships-how-expensive-is-game-of-thrones-anyway |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/318306/holy-flaming-warships-how-expensive-is-game-of-thrones-anyway|title=Holy Flaming Warships! How Expensive Is Game of Thrones, Anyway?|publisher=[[E!]]|first=Leslie|last=Gornstein|date=May 28, 2012|accessdate=March 14, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> to "at least" $8 million.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602111711/http://www.ew.com/microsites/longform/got/ |archivedate=June 2, 2016 |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title='Game of Thrones': EW spends 240 hours in Westeros |url=http://www.ew.com/microsites/longform/got/ |accessdate=April 1, 2015 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 2015 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> The sixth-season budget was over $10 million per episode, for a season total of over $100 million and a series record.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402013700/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/game-of-thrones/news/a788677/game-of-thrones-season-6-costs-a-lot-per-episode-budget-revealed/ |archivedate=April 2, 2016 |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/game-of-thrones/news/a788677/game-of-thrones-season-6-costs-a-lot-per-episode-budget-revealed/ |title=Game of Thrones season 6 costs A LOT per episode: The HBO fantasy epic's massive budget is revealed |first=Ben |last=Lee |date=March 30, 2016 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]] |accessdate=April 1, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ===Casting=== [[Nina Gold]] and Robert Sterne are the series' primary casting directors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-casting-director-nina-gold-bafta-award-1201733675/ |title='Game of Thrones' Casting Director Nina Gold to Receive BAFTA Award |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=April 15, 2016 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808020522/http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-casting-director-nina-gold-bafta-award-1201733675/ |archivedate=August 8, 2016 |accessdate=March 18, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> Through a process of auditions and readings, the main cast was assembled. The only exceptions were [[Peter Dinklage]] and [[Sean Bean]], whom the writers wanted from the start; they were announced as joining the [[Winter is Coming|pilot]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news| title = Two will play HBO's 'Game' | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date = May 5, 2009 |last=Andreeva|first=Nellie| url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30b29365238b3652e08e2efdc7f0af62 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509074111/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30b29365238b3652e08e2efdc7f0af62 |archivedate=May 9, 2009|accessdate=May 12, 2009}}</ref><ref name="reuters5cast">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106205031/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/20/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 |archivedate=November 6, 2015 |author1=Kit, Borys |author2=Andreeva, Nellie | title = Sean Bean ascends to "Game of Thrones" |agency=Reuters | date =July 19, 2009 | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/20/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 | accessdate =July 20, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> Other actors signed for the pilot were [[Kit Harington]] as [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]], [[Jack Gleeson]] as [[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Harry Lloyd]] as [[Viserys Targaryen]] and [[Mark Addy]] as [[Robert Baratheon]].<ref name="reuters5cast"/><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=A Casting We Will Go |work=Not A Blog |publisher=LiveJournal |date=July 19, 2009 |accessdate=July 20, 2009 |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/95840.html |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Addy was, according to showrunners Benioff and Weiss, the easiest actor to cast for the show, being that his audition was on point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nerdist.com/what-we-learned-from-game-of-thrones-sxsw-panel-and-what-it-might-mean/|title=What We Learned From Game Of Thrones' SXSW Panel, and What It Might Mean|publisher=[[Nerdist Industries]]|first=Michael|last=Walsh|date=March 12, 2017|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402080955/http://nerdist.com/what-we-learned-from-game-of-thrones-sxsw-panel-and-what-it-might-mean/|archivedate=April 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Catelyn Stark]] was scheduled to be played by [[Jennifer Ehle]], but the role was recast with [[Michelle Fairley]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 | last = Sepinwall | first = Alan | title = 'Game of Thrones' recasting: Ehle out, Fairley in | publisher=[[HitFix]] | date = March 19, 2010 | url = http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |accessdate=February 24, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Daenerys Targaryen]] was also recast, with [[Emilia Clarke]] replacing [[Tamzin Merchant]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803070636/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 3, 2016 | last =Ryan | first =Maureen | title = Exclusive: 'Game of Thrones' recasts noble role |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date =May 21, 2010 |accessdate=February 24, 2013| url = http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/153995.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |title=A New Daenerys |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=May 21, 2010 |work=Not A Blog |publisher=LiveJournal |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/153995.html |accessdate=February 24, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The rest of the first season's cast was filled in the second half of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 17, 2016 |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |title=The 'Games' afoot: HBO's 'Game of Thrones' gears up |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |date=October 13, 2009 |accessdate=August 29, 2016 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although many of the first-season cast were set to return, the producers had a large number of new characters to cast for the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]]. Due to this, Benioff and Weiss postponed the introduction of several key characters and merged several characters into one or assigned plot functions to different characters.<ref name="hibberd1"/> ===Writing=== [[File:George R.R. Martin at Archipelacon.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=George R. R. Martin|George R. R. Martin, author of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', is a series co-[[executive producer]] and wrote one episode for each of the first four seasons.]] ''Game of Thrones'' used seven writers in six seasons. Series creators [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]], the showrunners, write most of the episodes each season.<ref name="observer">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903222758/http://observer.com/2015/04/blood-caffeine-sex-magic-how-game-of-thrones-gets-written/ |archivedate=September 3, 2016 |url=http://observer.com/2015/04/blood-caffeine-sex-magic-how-game-of-thrones-gets-written/ |title=Blood Caffeine Sex Magic: How 'Game of Thrones' Gets Written |work=[[New York Observer]] |first=Sean T. |last=Collins |date=April 2, 2015 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' author [[George R. R. Martin]] wrote one episode in each of the first four seasons. Martin did not write an episode for the later seasons, since he wanted to focus on completing the sixth novel (''[[The Winds of Winter]]'').<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/30/george-rr-martin-not-writing-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/30/george-rr-martin-not-writing-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode |title=George R. R. Martin Not Writing Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode |publisher=[[IGN]] |first=Luke |last=Karmali |date=March 30, 2015 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Jane Espenson]] co-wrote one first-season episode as a [[freelance writer]].<ref name="espenson">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |title=HBO's 'Game of Thrones': The 'Buffy' and 'Battlestar' connection |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |first=Maureen |last=Ryan |date=March 16, 2010 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Bryan Cogman]], initially a script coordinator for the series,<ref name="espenson"/> was promoted to producer for the fifth season. Cogman, who wrote at least one episode for the first five seasons, is the only other writer in the writers' room with Benioff and Weiss. Before his promotion, [[Vanessa Taylor]] (a writer during the second and third seasons) worked closely with Benioff and Weiss. [[Dave Hill (screenwriter)|Dave Hill]] joined the writing staff for the fifth season after working as an assistant to Benioff and Weiss.<ref name="vanity fair">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101102954/http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |archivedate=January 1, 2015 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |title=The Surprising Connection Between ''Game of Thrones'' and ''Monty Python'' |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=March 24, 2014 |accessdate=September 7, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although Martin is not in the writers' room, he reads the script outlines and makes comments.<ref name="observer"/> Benioff and Weiss sometimes assign characters to particular writers; for example, Cogman was assigned to Arya Stark for the fourth season. The writers spend several weeks writing a character outline, including what material from the novels to use and the overarching themes. After these individual outlines are complete, they spend another two to three weeks discussing each main character's individual arc and arranging them episode by episode.<ref name="observer"/> A detailed outline is created, with each of the writers working on a portion to create a script for each episode. Cogman, who wrote two episodes for the fifth season, took a month and a half to complete both scripts. They are then read by Benioff and Weiss, who make notes, and parts of the script are rewritten. All ten episodes are written before filming begins, since they are filmed out of order with two [[film crew|units]] in different countries.<ref name="observer"/> Benioff and Weiss write each of their episodes together, with one of them writing the first half of the script and the other the second half. After that they begin with passing the drafts back and forth to make notes and rewrite parts of it.<ref name="long_story_short"/> ===Adaptation schedule=== Benioff and Weiss originally intended to adapt the entire, still-incomplete ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of novels for television.{{citation needed|reason=This was originally written in the present simple, with no date. The source cited in the following sentence does not support either this version or the more probable "originally intended" version I just changed it to.|date=August 2017}} After ''Game of Thrones'' began outpacing the published novels in the sixth season, the series was based on a plot outline of the future novels provided by Martin<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621094105/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books |archivedate=June 21, 2016 |last=Robinson|first=Joanna|title=Game of Thrones Creators Confirm the Show Will Spoil the Books|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books|accessdate=March 23, 2015|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=March 22, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and original content. In April 2016, the showrunners' plan was to shoot 13 more episodes after the sixth season: seven episodes in the seventh season and six episodes in the eighth.<ref name="seasons 7 and 8">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |title='Game of Thrones' Creators Mull Shorter Final Seasons (EXCLUSIVE) |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 14, 2016 |accessdate=April 28, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Later that month, the series was renewed for a seventh season with a seven-episode order.<ref name="HBO confirms">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7|title=Game of Thrones: HBO announces summer return, 7 episodes|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=July 18, 2016|accessdate=July 18, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="s7 renewed">{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/ |title='Game of Thrones' Picked Up For Season 7, 'Veep' & 'Silicon Valley' Also Renewed By HBO|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=April 21, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826043921/http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/|archivedate=August 26, 2016 |work=Deadline|accessdate=April 21, 2016|deadurl=no|df=}}</ref> {{As of|2017}}, seven seasons have been ordered and filmed, adapting the novels at a rate of about 48 seconds per page for the first three seasons.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610070743/http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/apr/06/game-of-thrones-how-does-the-tv-series-compare-to-the-books|archivedate=June 10, 2016|last=Scott|first=Patrick|title=Game of Thrones: how does the TV series compare to the books?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/apr/06/game-of-thrones-how-does-the-tv-series-compare-to-the-books|accessdate=April 6, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 6, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="width:8%" | Season ! style="width:10%" | Ordered ! style="width:15%" | Filming ! style="width:11%" | First aired ! style="width:11%" | Last aired ! Novel(s) adapted ! Refs |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|Season 1]] | March 2, 2010 | Second half of 2010 | April 17, 2011 | June 19, 2011 | ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title=HBO picks up 'Game of Thrones'; first picture, cast list|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html|accessdate=May 15, 2012|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 2, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|Season 2]] | April 19, 2011 | Second half of 2011 | April 1, 2012 | June 3, 2012 | ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' and some early chapters from ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Hibberd|first=James|title=HBO renews 'Game of Thrones' for second season!|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=April 19, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://io9.gizmodo.com/5915744/10-best-changes-game-of-thrones-made-to-a-clash-of-kings |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/5915744/10-best-changes-game-of-thrones-made-to-a-clash-of-kings |title=10 Best Changes ''Game of Thrones'' Made to ''A Clash of Kings'' |publisher=[[Gizmodo]] |first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders |date=June 5, 2012 |accessdate=January 3, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|Season 3]] | April 10, 2012 | July – November 2012 | March 31, 2013 | June 9, 2013 | About the first two-thirds of ''A Storm of Swords'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title='Game of Thrones' Renewed for Season 3|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=April 10, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners on season 2, splitting Book 3 and their hope for a 70-hour epic|page=3|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2|accessdate=April 10, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630212435/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_4_writer_bryan_cogman_on_tyrions_trial_book_deviations_and_that_white_walker-2014-05 |archivedate=June 30, 2015|url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_4_writer_bryan_cogman_on_tyrions_trial_book_deviations_and_that_white_walker-2014-05 |title='Game of Thrones' Season 4: Writer Bryan Cogman breaks down Tyrion's trial, book deviations and that White Walker scene |work=[[Zap2it]] |first=Terri |last=Schwartz |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=May 17, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|Season 4]] | April 2, 2013 | July – November 2013 | April 6, 2014 | June 15, 2014 | The remaining one-third of ''A Storm of Swords'' and some elements from ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' and ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009040900/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/ |archivedate=October 9, 2014 |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title='Game of Thrones' renewed for season 4|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=April 2, 2013|accessdate=April 2, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|title=What Will Happen in Season 4 of ''Game of Thrones''?|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html|accessdate=February 7, 2014|work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=June 11, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|Season 5]] |rowspan="2"|April 8, 2014 | July – December 2014 | April 12, 2015 | June 14, 2015 | ''A Feast for Crows'', ''A Dance with Dragons'' and original content, with some late chapters from ''A Storm of Swords'' and elements from ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' | align="center"| <ref name="Season 5 & 6">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6|title=Game of Thrones Renewed for Season 5 and Season 6|last=Goldman|first=Eric|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=April 8, 2014|accessdate=April 8, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Game of Thrones Season 5: Inside the Episode #9 (HBO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |access-date=June 9, 2015 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=June 7, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608054353/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |archivedate=June 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112065324/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/18/game-of-thrones-season-5/ |archivedate=January 12, 2015 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners talk season 5: 'There will be Dorne'|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/18/game-of-thrones-season-5/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=June 18, 2014|accessdate=June 18, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415115215/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/12/why-season-5-of-game-of-thrones-is-the-most-important-yet-for-hbo/ |archivedate=April 15, 2015 |last=Kain |first=Erik |title=Why Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' Is The Most Important Yet For HBO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/12/why-season-5-of-game-of-thrones-is-the-most-important-yet-for-hbo/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 12, 2015 |accessdate=April 13, 2015 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones Episodes: EP510: Mother's Mercy|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy|publisher=Westeros.org|accessdate=June 18, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617184145/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy|archivedate=June 17, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 6)|Season 6]] | July – December 2015 | April 24, 2016 | June 26, 2016 | Original content and outline from ''The Winds of Winter'', with some late elements from ''A Feast for Crows'' and ''A Dance with Dragons''<!-- Doesn't the death of Balon come from ASOS? Is this one element significant enough to note? --> | align="center"| <ref name="Season 5 & 6"/><ref name=writing>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403094457/http://www.goldderby.com/news/10007/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-season-six-tease-emmys-entertainment-13579086-story.html |archivedate=April 3, 2016 |url=http://www.goldderby.com/news/10007/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-season-six-tease-emmys-entertainment-13579086-story.html|title='Game of Thrones' director Jeremy Podeswa dishes Jon Snow death, teases season six (Exclusive Video)|publisher=GoldDerby|last=Noble|first=Matt|date=August 18, 2015|accessdate=August 21, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><br><ref name=EW516>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones|title=George R. R. Martin revealed 3 huge shocks to Game of Thrones producers|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=James|last=Hibberd|date=May 24, 2016|accessdate=May 24, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/game-of-thrones-has-not-gone-off-book.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/game-of-thrones-has-not-gone-off-book.html|title=Why It's a Misconception That Game of Thrones Has Gone 'Off-Book'|publisher=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|first=Jennifer|last=Vineyard|date=May 5, 2016|accessdate=May 24, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 7)|Season 7]] | April 21, 2016 | August 2016 – February 2017 | July 16, 2017 | August 27, 2017 | Original content and outline from ''The Winds of Winter'' and ''[[A Dream of Spring]]'' | align="center"|<ref name="seasons 7 and 8" /><ref name="HBO confirms" /><br><ref name="s7 renewed" /><ref name="EW516"/><ref name="FutonCritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/game-of-thrones/listings/|title=Shows A-Z - game of thrones on hbo|work=[[The Futon Critic]]|accessdate=April 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816112050/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-episode-6-leaks-online-full-hbo-spain-torrents-download-reddit-watch-jon-a7895636.html|archivedate=August 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |} The first two seasons adapted one novel each. For the later seasons, its creators see ''Game of Thrones'' as an adaptation of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' as a whole rather than the individual novels;<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-game-of-thrones-insider-bryan-cogman-on-the-biggest-season-yet-20130320?print=true |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Collins|first=Sean T.|title=Q&A: 'Game of Thrones' Insider Bryan Cogman on the Biggest Season Yet|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-game-of-thrones-insider-bryan-cogman-on-the-biggest-season-yet-20130320?print=true|accessdate=March 24, 2013|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=March 20, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> this enables them to move events across novels, according to screen-adaptation requirements.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516052225/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2/2/ |archivedate=May 16, 2016 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners on season 2, splitting Book 3 and their hope for a 70-hour epic|page=2|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2/2/|accessdate=April 10, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Filming=== [[File:Malta191.jpg|thumbnail|alt=The Azure Window at Ras-id-Dwerja|The [[Azure Window]] at Ras-id-Dwerja, on Gozo, was the site of the Dothraki wedding in season one.]] Principal photography for the first season was scheduled to begin on July 26, 2010,<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> and the primary location was the [[The Paint Hall|Paint Hall Studios]] in [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite press release |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430032117/http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-210409-hbo-to-film.htm |archivedate=April 30, 2016 |title= HBO to film TV pilot in Belfast, Northern Ireland |publisher=Northern Ireland Executive |date= April 21, 2009 |url=http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-210409-hbo-to-film.htm |accessdate=March 13, 2013}}</ref> Exterior scenes in Northern Ireland were filmed at Sandy Brae in the [[Mourne Mountains]] (standing in for Vaes Dothrak), [[Castle Ward]] (Winterfell), Saintfield Estates (the Winterfell godswood), [[Tollymore Forest]] (outdoor scenes), [[Cairncastle]] (the execution site), the [[Magheramorne]] quarry (Castle Black) and [[Shane's Castle]] (the tourney grounds).<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012">{{cite news |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120401123724/http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2012-04-01/Where-the-HBO-hit-Game-of-Thrones-was-filmed/53876876/1 |archivedate=April 1, 2012|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2012-04-01/Where-the-HBO-hit-Game-of-Thrones-was-filmed/53876876/1 |title=Where HBO's hit 'Game of Thrones' was filmed |work=[[USA Today]] |first=Josh |last=Roberts |date=April 1, 2012 |accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref> [[Doune Castle]] in [[Stirling]], Scotland, was also used in the original pilot episode for scenes at Winterfell.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811101337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8322843.stm |archivedate=August 11, 2016 |title=Medieval keep becomes film set|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8322843.stm|accessdate=April 11, 2012|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=October 23, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> The producers initially considered filming the whole series in Scotland, but decided on Northern Ireland because of the availability of studio space.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529084634/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scotland-mourning-the-loss-of-epic-160m-tv-opportunity.21352049 |archivedate=May 29, 2015 |last=Miller|first=Phil|title=Beaten in Game of Thrones: why Scotland lost £160m chance to host TV series|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scotland-mourning-the-loss-of-epic-160m-tv-opportunity.21352049|accessdate=June 17, 2013|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=June 17, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The first season's southern scenes were filmed in Malta, a change in location from the pilot episode's Moroccan sets.<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> The city of [[Mdina]] was used for King's Landing. Filming was also done at [[Fort Manoel]] (representing the Sept of Baelor), at the [[Azure Window]] on the island of [[Gozo]] (the Dothraki wedding site) and at [[San Anton Palace]], [[Fort Ricasoli]], [[Fort St Angelo]] and St. Dominic monastery (all used for scenes in the Red Keep).<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012" /> [[File:Dubrovnik crop.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The walled city of Dubrovnik|The walled city of Dubrovnik became King's Landing in season two.]] Filming of the second season's southern scenes shifted from Malta to Croatia, where the city of [[Dubrovnik]] and nearby locations allowed exterior shots of a walled, coastal medieval city. The [[Walls of Dubrovnik]] and [[Fort Lovrijenac]] were used for scenes in King's Landing and the Red Keep. The island of [[Lokrum]], the St. Dominic monastery in the coastal town of [[Trogir]], the [[Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik|Rector's Palace]] in Dubrovnik, and the Dubac quarry (a few kilometers east) were used for scenes set in Qarth. Scenes set north of the Wall, in the Frostfangs and at the Fist of the First Men, were filmed in November 2011 in Iceland: on the [[Vatnajökull]] glacier near Smyrlabjörg, the Svínafellsjökull glacier near [[Skaftafell]] and the [[Mýrdalsjökull]] glacier near [[Vík í Mýrdal|Vik]] on Höfðabrekkuheiði.<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012" /><ref name="location iceland">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826083416/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/game-of-thrones-iceland-tour-filming-locations/ |archivedate=August 26, 2016 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/game-of-thrones-iceland-tour-filming-locations/ |title=Iceland's most spectacular Game of Thrones filming locations |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first= Oliver|last= Smith |date=June 7, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Third-season production returned to Dubrovnik, with the Walls of Dubrovnik, Fort Lovrijenac and nearby locations again used for scenes in King's Landing and the Red Keep. [[Trsteno Arboretum]], a new location, is the garden of the Tyrells in King's Landing. The third season also returned to Morocco (including the city of [[Essaouira]]) to film Daenerys' scenes in Essos.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617031757/http://www.salon.com/2014/04/29/the_7_kingdoms_in_game_of_thrones_are_actually_these_5_real_world_places_partner/ |archivedate=June 17, 2016 |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/04/29/the_7_kingdoms_in_game_of_thrones_are_actually_these_5_real_world_places_partner/ |title=The 7 kingdoms in 'Game of Thrones' are actually these 5 real-world places |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |first=Jessica |last=Phelan |date=April 29, 2014 |accessdate=August 23, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Dimmuborgir]] and the [[Grjótagjá]] cave in Iceland were used as well.<ref name="location iceland"/> One scene, with [[Bart the Bear 2|a live bear]], was filmed in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016062544/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/01/game-of-thrones-casts-a-bear-and-shoots-in-los-angeles-for-major-season-3-scene.html |archivedate=October 16, 2013 |title='Game of Thrones' casts a bear and shoots in Los Angeles for major Season 3 scene |last=Schwartz |first=Terri |date=January 28, 2013 |publisher=[[Zap2it]] |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/01/game-of-thrones-casts-a-bear-and-shoots-in-los-angeles-for-major-season-3-scene.html |accessdate=March 8, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> The production used three units (Dragon, Wolf and Raven) filming in parallel, six directing teams, 257 cast members and 703 crew members.<ref name="Making" /> [[File:Ballintoy Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 19750.jpg|thumb|alt=Ballintoy Harbour|[[Ballintoy Harbour]] was Lordsport on the Iron Islands.]] The fourth season returned to Dubrovnik and included new locations, including [[Diocletian's Palace]] in [[Split, Croatia|Split]], [[Klis Fortress]] north of Split, Perun quarry east of Split, the [[Mosor]] mountain range, and [[Baška Voda]] further south.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224065003/http://winteriscoming.net/2013/09/new-set-photos-from-klis-and-dubrovnik/ |archivedate=December 24, 2013 |url=http://winteriscoming.net/2013/09/new-set-photos-from-klis-and-dubrovnik/|title=New set photos from Klis and Dubrovnik|publisher=WinterIsComing.net |date=September 18, 2013 |accessdate=September 19, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Thingvellir National Park]] in Iceland was used for the fight between Brienne and the Hound.<ref name="location iceland"/> Filming took 136 days and ended on November 21, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222200023/http://winteriscoming.net/2013/11/thats-a-wrap-season-4-filming-is-complete/ |archivedate=February 22, 2014 |url=http://winteriscoming.net/2013/11/thats-a-wrap-season-4-filming-is-complete/ |title=That's a wrap! Season 4 filming is complete |publisher=WinterIsComing.net |date=November 21, 2013 |accessdate=November 26, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The fifth season added [[Seville]], Spain, used for scenes of [[Dorne]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103546/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Burgen|first=Stephen|title=Game of Thrones fifth series: more than 10,000 Spaniards apply to be extras|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain|date=July 6, 2014|accessdate=July 26, 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> The sixth season, which began filming in July 2015, returned to Spain and filmed in [[Girona]] and [[Peniscola]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530024956/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |archivedate=May 30, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |title=''Game of Thrones'' returning to Spain for season 6 |work=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 3, 2015 |accessdate=June 3, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Filming also returned to [[Dubrovnik]], [[Croatia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/611134/Game-of-Thrones-season-6-Lena-Headey-HBO-Cersei-Lannister-Croatia-Dubrovnik |title=Game of Thrones season 6: Lena Headey spotted filming in Croatia |work=The Daily Express |first=Neela |last=Debnath |date=October 9, 2015 |accessdate=July 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Filming of the seven episodes of season 7 began on August 31, 2016, at Titanic Studios in Belfast, with other filming in Iceland, Northern Ireland and many locations in Spain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Oliver |date=September 23, 2016 |title=The incredible locations that will star in Game of Thrones season 7 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/arts-and-culture/filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-seven/ |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=January 1, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082411/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/arts-and-culture/filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-seven/ |archivedate=January 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Spain filming locations included [[Seville]], [[Cáceres, Spain|Cáceres]], [[Almodovar del Rio]], [[Santiponce]], [[Zumaia]] and [[Bermeo]].<ref>{{cite press |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/game-of-thrones-s7-production-9c12d317565d#.92n7dmdmz |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/game-of-thrones-s7-production-9c12d317565d#.92n7dmdmz|title=EMMY®- AND GOLDEN GLOBE-WINNING HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES TO BEGIN PRODUCTION ON SEASON SEVEN THIS SUMMER|publisher=[[HBO]]|date=July 18, 2016|accessdate=August 31, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The series also filmed in [[Dubrovnik]], which is used for location of King's Landing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/1631-photo-video-exclusive-game-of-thrones-is-back-in-dubrovnik |title=EXCLUSIVE – Game of Thrones is back in Dubrovnik |work=The Dubrovnik Times |date=December 14, 2016 |accessdate=July 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702082729/http://thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/1631-photo-video-exclusive-game-of-thrones-is-back-in-dubrovnik |archivedate=July 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Filming continued until the end of February 2017 as necessary to ensure winter weather in some of the European locations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2016/07/06/game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-date-delayed-new-interview/ |title=''Game of Thrones'' Season 7 Production Delayed |publisher=[[TVLine]] |first=Andy |last=Swift |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |date=July 6, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707215822/http://tvline.com/2016/07/06/game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-date-delayed-new-interview/ |archivedate=July 7, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Directing=== Each ten-episode season of ''Game of Thrones'' has four to six directors, who usually direct back-to-back episodes. [[Alan Taylor (director)|Alan Taylor]] has directed seven episodes, the most episodes of the series. [[Alex Graves]] and [[David Nutter]] have directed six each. [[Daniel Minahan]] directed five episodes, and [[Michelle MacLaren]], [[Mark Mylod]], [[Jeremy Podeswa]], [[Alik Sakharov]], and [[Miguel Sapochnik]] directed four each. [[Brian Kirk]] directed three episodes during the first season, and [[Tim Van Patten]] directed the series' first two episodes. [[Neil Marshall]] directed two episodes, both with large battle scenes: "[[Blackwater (Game of Thrones)|Blackwater]]" and "[[The Watchers on the Wall]]". Other directors have been [[Jack Bender]], [[David Petrarca]], [[Daniel Sackheim]], [[Michael Slovis]] and [[Matt Shakman]].<ref name="Directors">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/game-of-thrones-season-7/|title=Game of Thrones season 7: US and UK air date, teaser trailer, official poster, cast, rumors, and everything you need to know|work=GamesRadar|accessdate=April 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404215853/http://www.gamesradar.com/game-of-thrones-season-7/|archivedate=April 4, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> David Benioff and D. B. Weiss have directed two episodes together but only credited one each episode, which was determined after a coin toss.<ref name="vanity fair"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/index.html |title=Game of Thrones: Cast & Crew |publisher=[[HBO]] |accessdate=December 28, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117044703/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/index.html |archivedate=November 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Technical aspects=== [[Alik Sakharov]] was the pilot's cinematographer. The series has had a number of cinematographers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/sakharov.htm |title=ALIK SAKHAROV ASC |publisher=Cinematographers |accessdate=August 29, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125162551/http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/sakharov.htm |archivedate=January 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and has received seven [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series]] nominations.<ref name="emmys.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |title=Game of Thrones |publisher=[[Emmy Award|Emmys.com]] |accessdate=February 21, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413192605/http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |archivedate=April 13, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Oral Norrey Ottey, Frances Parker, Martin Nicholson, Crispin Green, [[Tim Porter]] and Katie Weiland have edited the series for a varying number of episodes. Weiland received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series]] in 2015.<ref name="emmys.com"/> ==={{anchor|Costuming}}Costumes=== [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Ygritte, Jon and Tormund costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=The costumes of Ygritte, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane|The costumes of Ygritte, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane reflect the harsh climate in which they are worn.]] [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Royal court costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=Royal dresses in King's Landing|Dresses worn at the royal court in King's Landing indicate their wearers' wealth and status.]] [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Brienne and Jaime costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=Brienne and Jaime costumes|Functional weapons and armor, like [[Brienne of Tarth]]'s (left), were manufactured for the series.]] [[Michele Clapton]] was [[costume designer]] for ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} first five seasons before she was replaced by [[April Ferry]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895 |title='Game of Thrones' Season 6 Adds New Costume Designer |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Merle |last=Ginsberg |date=June 19, 2015 |accessdate=December 13, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Clapton will return to the show as costume designer for the seventh season.<ref name="www.ew.com game-thrones-season-7">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7|title=Game of Thrones season 7 directors revealed|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=June 29, 2016|accessdate=June 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The costumes used in the show drew inspiration from a number of sources, such as [[Japanese armor|Japanese]] and [[Persian clothing|Persian]] armour. Dothraki dress resembles that of the [[Bedouin]] (one was made out of fish skins to resemble dragon scales), and the Wildlings wear animal skins like the [[Inuit]].<ref name="wischhover20120604">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://fashionista.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-hair-and-wardrobe-secrets-revealed/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://fashionista.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-hair-and-wardrobe-secrets-revealed/ |title=Game of Thrones' Hair and Wardrobe Secrets Revealed |work=Fashionista |date=June 4, 2012 |accessdate=June 6, 2012 |author=Wischhover, Cheryl|deadurl=no}}</ref> Wildling bone armor is made from molds of actual bones, and is assembled with string and latex resembling [[catgut]].<ref name="Snead, Elizabeth">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/game-thrones-michelle-clapton-costume-designer-emmy-335607 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/game-thrones-michelle-clapton-costume-designer-emmy-335607 |title='Game of Thrones' Designer Michelle Clapton's Secret Source for Wildling Bones: eBay |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 11, 2012 |accessdate=June 11, 2012 |author=Snead, Elizabeth|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although the extras who play Wildlings and the Night's Watch often wear hats (normal in a cold climate), members of the principal cast usually do not so viewers can distinguish the main characters. [[Björk]]'s [[Alexander McQueen]] high-neckline dresses inspired [[Margaery Tyrell]]'s funnel-neck outfit, and prostitutes' dresses are designed for easy removal.<ref name="wischhover20120604" /> All clothing used is aged for two weeks so it appears realistic on high-definition television.<ref name="Snead, Elizabeth"/> About two dozen wigs are used for the actresses. Made of human hair and up to {{convert|2|ft|cm}} in length, they cost up to $7,000 each and are washed and styled like real hair. Applying the wigs is time-consuming; [[Emilia Clarke]], for example, requires about two hours to style her brunette hair with a platinum-blonde wig and braids. Other actors, such as [[Jack Gleeson]] and [[Sophie Turner]], receive frequent [[hair coloring]]. For characters such as Daenerys (Clarke) and her Dothraki, their hair, wigs and costumes are processed to appear as if they have not been washed for weeks.<ref name="wischhover20120604"/> ===Makeup=== For the first three seasons, [[Paul Engelen]] was ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} main makeup designer and [[Prosthetic makeup|prosthetic makeup artist]] with Melissa Lackersteen, [[Conor O'Sullivan (make-up artist)|Conor O'Sullivan]] and Rob Trenton. At the beginning of the fourth season Engelen's team was replaced by Jane Walker and her crew, composed of Ann McEwan and Barrie and Sarah Gower.<ref name="emmys.com"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Game_of_Thrones_Wins_Big_at_Creative_Arts_Emmys/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Game_of_Thrones_Wins_Big_at_Creative_Arts_Emmys/|title=Game of Thrones Wins Big at Creative Arts Emmys|work=Westeros.org|date=September 16, 2012|accessdate=February 21, 2016|author=Elio|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Visual effects=== For the series' large number of [[visual effects]], HBO hired British-based BlueBolt and Irish-based Screen Scene for season one. Most of the environment builds were done as [[2.5D]] projections, giving viewers perspective while keeping the programming from being overwhelming.<ref name=vfx-got>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514050245/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_VFX_Producer_Lucy_Ainsworth-Taylor/ |archivedate=May 14, 2016|last1=Elio|title=Interview with VFX Producer Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_VFX_Producer_Lucy_Ainsworth-Taylor/|publisher=Westeros.org|date=June 22, 2011|accessdate=August 18, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2011 the season-one finale, "[[Fire and Blood (Game of Thrones)|Fire and Blood]]", was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects|Outstanding Special Visual Effects]].<ref name="emmys.com"/> Because the effects became more complex in subsequent seasons (including [[Computer graphics|CGI]] creatures, fire, and water), German-based [[Pixomondo]] became the lead visual-effects producer; nine of its twelve facilities contributed to the project for season two, with [[Stuttgart]] the lead.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718224036/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=July 18, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 |url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |publisher=[[Pixomondo]] |accessdate=August 19, 2014 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=Game of Thrones: Season 3|url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/|publisher=Pixomondo|accessdate=August 19, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Scenes were also produced by British-based Peanut FX, Canadian-based Spin VFX, and U.S.-based Gradient Effects. "[[Valar Morghulis]]" and "[[Valar Dohaeris]]" earned Pixomondo Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in 2012 and 2013, respectively.<ref name="emmys.com"/> For season four, HBO added German-based Mackevision to the project.<ref name=mckvsn>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://mackevision.com/123live-user-data/user_data/6084/public/DOWNLOADS_DE/HOME/20140710_GOT_Nominierung_de.pdf |archivedate=August 21, 2014 |title=Mackevision erhält Emmy-Nominierung für visuelle Effekte in "Game of Thrones" – Pressemeldung|url=http://mackevision.com/123live-user-data/user_data/6084/public/DOWNLOADS_DE/HOME/20140710_GOT_Nominierung_de.pdf|publisher=Mackevision|date=July 10, 2014|accessdate=August 19, 2014|language=German|format=PDF}}</ref> The season-four finale, "[[The Children (Game of Thrones)|The Children]]", won the 2014 Emmy Award for Visual Effects. Additional producers for season four included Canadian-based [[Rodeo FX]], German-based [[Scanline VFX]] and U.S.-based [[BAKED FX]]. The muscle and wing movements of the adolescent dragons in seasons four and five were based largely on those of a chicken. Pixomondo retained a team of 22 to 30 people which focused on visualizing Daenerys Targaryen's dragons, with the average production time per season of 20 to 22 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Johnson|first=Thomas|title=How 'Game of Thrones' creates its dragons|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=April 12, 2015|date=March 19, 2015}}</ref> For the fifth season, HBO added Canadian-based [[Image Engine]] and U.S.-based Crazy Horse Effects to its list of main visual-effects producers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://image-engine.com/tv/game-of-thrones/ |title=Game of Thrones |publisher=Image Engine |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |title=Current Projects |publisher=Crazy Horse Effects |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601231708/http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |archivedate=June 1, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Sound=== Unusual for a television series, the sound team receives a [[rough cut]] of a full season and approaches it as a ten-hour feature film. Although seasons one and two had different sound teams, one team has been in charge of sound since then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asoundeffect.com/creating-the-fantastical-sound-of-game-of-thrones/|title=This is how the fantastical sound of Game Of Thrones is made|last=Andersen|first=Asbjoern|publisher=A Sound Effect|date=August 6, 2014|accessdate=August 6, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808063046/http://www.asoundeffect.com/creating-the-fantastical-sound-of-game-of-thrones/|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> For the show's blood-and-gore sounds, the team often uses a [[Chamois leather|chamois]]. For dragon screams, mating tortoises and dolphin, seal, lion and bird sounds have been used.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506065202/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/game-of-thrones-sound-effects |archivedate=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/game-of-thrones-sound-effects|title=Game of Thrones: The Secrets Behind All the Stabbings, Screams, and Sex Scenes|last=Calautti|first=Katie|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=June 12, 2014|accessdate=August 6, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Title sequence=== {{main article|Game of Thrones title sequence}} The series' [[title sequence]] was created by production studio Elastic for HBO. [[Creative director]] [[Angus Wall]] and his collaborators received the 2011 [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design|Main Title Design]] for the sequence,<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Fernandez|first=Sofia M.|title=Emmys 2011: 'Game of Thrones' Title Sequence Gives Series Its First Emmy|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780|accessdate=June 1, 2013|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 10, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> which depicts a [[Raised-relief map|three-dimensional map]] of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|the series' fictional world]]. The map is projected on the inside of a sphere which is centrally lit by a small sun in an [[armillary sphere]].<ref name="Art of the Title 2013">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Perkins|first=Will|title=Game of Thrones (2011)|url=http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/|accessdate=June 1, 2013|publisher=Art of the Title|date=May 11, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> As the camera moves across the map, focusing on the locations of the episode's events, clockwork mechanisms intertwine and allow buildings and other structures to emerge from the map. Accompanied by the [[Music of Game of Thrones|title music]], the names of the principal cast and creative staff appear. The sequence concludes after about 90 seconds with the title card and brief [[opening credits]] indicating the episode's writer(s) and director. Its composition changes as the story progresses, with new locations replacing those featuring less prominently or not at all.<ref name="Art of the Title 2013"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401141737/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnaxelrod/2013/03/30/how-the-innovative-game-of-thrones-opening-credits-spring-to-life-in-season-3/ |archivedate=April 1, 2013 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnaxelrod/2013/03/30/how-the-innovative-game-of-thrones-opening-credits-spring-to-life-in-season-3/ |title=How The Innovative Game Of Thrones Opening Credits Were Built |work=Forbes |first=John |last=Axelrod |date=March 30, 2013 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/secrets-game-thrones-opening-credits-179656 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/secrets-game-thrones-opening-credits-179656 |title=Secrets Behind 'Game of Thrones' Opening Credits (Video) |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Tim |last=Appelo |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Music=== {{main article|Music of Game of Thrones}} [[File:Ramin Djawadi.jpg|thumb|alt=Ramin Djawadi|upright|[[Ramin Djawadi]] composed the ''Game of Thrones'' score.]] The music for the series was composed by [[Ramin Djawadi]]. The first season's soundtrack, written in about ten weeks before the show's premiere,<ref name=Ryan>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202120407/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/02/02/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=February 2, 2011 |last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title='Game of Thrones' Changes Its Tune, Hires New Composer|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/02/02/game-of-thrones/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|publisher=[[AOL TV]]|date=February 2, 2011}}</ref> was published by [[Varèse Sarabande]] in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725184403/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/05/31/game-of-thrones-soundtrack-details/ |archivedate=July 25, 2016 |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/05/31/game-of-thrones-soundtrack-details/|title=Game of Thrones Soundtrack Details|publisher=Film Music Reporter|date=May 31, 2011|accessdate=June 15, 2011 |deadurl=no}}</ref> Soundtrack albums for subsequent seasons have been released, with tracks by [[The National (band)|the National]], [[the Hold Steady]] and [[Sigur Rós]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ramin Djawadi Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829162008/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397|archivedate=August 29, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Djawadi has composed themes for each of the major houses and also for some of the main characters.<ref name="Djawadi">{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/game-of-thrones-composer-ramin-djawadi-key-musical-elements.html |title=Game of Thrones Composer Ramin Djawadi on the Show's Key Musical Elements, and That Godfather-esque Finale Tune |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |date=July 21, 2016 |accessdate=November 6, 2016 |work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017123724/http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/game-of-thrones-composer-ramin-djawadi-key-musical-elements.html |archivedate=October 17, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The themes may evolve over time, as Daenerys Targaryen's theme started small and then became more powerful after each season. Her theme started first with a single instrument, a [[cello]], and Djawadi later incorporated more instruments for it.<ref name="Djawadi"/> ===Language=== {{main article|Languages of A Song of Ice and Fire}} The Westerosi characters of ''Game of Thrones'' speak British-accented English, often (but not consistently) with the accent of the English region corresponding to the character's Westerosi region; [[Eddard Stark]] (Warden of the North) speaks in actor Sean Bean's native [[Yorkshire accent|northern accent]], and the southern lord Tywin Lannister speaks with a [[Received Pronunciation|southern accent]], while characters from Dorne speak English with a Spanish accent.<ref name="Dissecting the real-world accents in Game of Thrones {{!}} Metro News">{{cite web|last1=McNeil|first1=Colin|title=Dissecting the real-world accents in Game of Thrones {{!}} Metro News|url=http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2016/06/24/dialect-coach-dissects-game-of-thrones-accents.html|website=[[Metro International#North America|Metro Toronto]]|publisher=Free Daily News Group Inc.|accessdate=April 20, 2017|location=[[Toronto]]|language=en|date=June 24, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421095418/http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2016/06/24/dialect-coach-dissects-game-of-thrones-accents.html|archivedate=April 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="With a wink to its audience, ">{{cite web|last1=Epstein|first1=Adam|title=With a wink to its audience, "Game of Thrones" told its most annoying characters to shut up|url=https://qz.com/718066/with-a-wink-to-its-audience-game-of-thrones-told-its-most-annoying-characters-to-shut-up/|work=[[Quartz (publication)|''Quartz'']]|accessdate=April 20, 2017|language=English|date=June 27, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421094509/https://qz.com/718066/with-a-wink-to-its-audience-game-of-thrones-told-its-most-annoying-characters-to-shut-up/|archivedate=April 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Characters foreign to Westeros often have a non-British accent.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://gawker.com/what-is-going-on-with-the-accents-in-game-of-thrones-485816507 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Read |first=Max |title=What Is Going on With the Accents in Game of Thrones? |url=http://gawker.com/what-is-going-on-with-the-accents-in-game-of-thrones-485816507 |accessdate=May 8, 2013 |publisher=[[Gawker]] |date=May 6, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> Although English is the common language of Westeros, the producers charged linguist [[David J. Peterson]] with [[constructed language|constructing]] [[Dothraki language|Dothraki]] and [[Valyrian languages]] based on the few words in the novels;<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Martin|first=Denise|title=Learn to Speak Dothraki and Valyrian From the Man Who Invented Them for Game of Thrones|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html|accessdate=April 24, 2013|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=April 23, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Dothraki and Valyrian dialogue is often subtitled in English. It has been reported that during the series these fictional languages have been heard by more people than the [[Welsh language|Welsh]], [[Irish language|Irish]], and [[Scots Gaelic]] languages combined.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=Game of Thrones: Can you speak Dothraki?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''Today'' programme|date=May 9, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Effect on location=== ''Game of Thrones'' is funded by [[Northern Ireland Screen]], a UK government agency financed by [[Invest NI]] and the [[European Regional Development Fund]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/2919/game-of-thrones-season-3-to-film-in-northern-ireland.aspx|archivedate=August 21, 2016|publisher=Northern Ireland Screen|title=Game of Thrones season 3 to film in Northern Ireland|url=http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/2919/game-of-thrones-season-3-to-film-in-northern-ireland.aspx|accessdate=April 12, 2012|date=April 12, 2012|deadurl=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As of April 2013, Northern Ireland Screen gave the show £9.25 million ($14.37 million); according to government estimates, this has benefited the [[Northern Ireland economy]] by £65 million ($100.95 million).<ref name="bradley20120412" /> [[Tourism Ireland]] has a ''Game of Thrones''-themed marketing campaign similar to New Zealand's [[Tolkien tourism|Tolkien-related advertising]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tourismireland.com/Press-Releases/2016/April/New-advertising-campaign-to-showcase-Northern-Irel |title=New advertising campaign to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of Game of Thrones® fans worldwide |publisher=Tourism Ireland |date=April 26, 2016 |accessdate=June 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054509/https://www.tourismireland.com/Press-Releases/2016/April/New-advertising-campaign-to-showcase-Northern-Irel |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Tourism-Ireland-wins-top-marketing-award-for-Game-of-Thrones-campaign-562193.html |title=Tourism Ireland wins top marketing award for Game of Thrones campaign |publisher=Business World |first=Robert |last=McHugh |date=December 14, 2015 |accessdate=June 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054510/https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Tourism-Ireland-wins-top-marketing-award-for-Game-of-Thrones-campaign-562193.html |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><!-- The reference to Tolkien tourism comes from the previously cited source @ https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://qz.com/196010/will-game-of-thrones-make-ireland-the-next-new-zealand/ --> Invest NI and the [[Northern Ireland Tourist Board]] also expect the series to generate tourism revenue.<ref name=bradley20120412>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508092252/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/the-game-of-thrones-tourists-1.1357475 |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |last=Bradley|first=Una|title=The 'Game of Thrones' tourists: How much is the hit HBO fantasy series worth to its home, Northern Ireland?|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/the-game-of-thrones-tourists-1.1357475|accessdate=April 12, 2013|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=April 12, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to [[Arlene Foster]], the series has given Northern Ireland the most [[The Troubles|non-political]] publicity in its history.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/game-of-thrones-pumped-43m-into-northern-irelands-economy-and-more-could-be-on-the-way-28749710.html |title=Game of Thrones pumped £43m into Northern Ireland's economy, and more could be on the way |work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]] |date=May 16, 2012 |accessdate=May 16, 2012 |author=McAdam, Noel |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The production of ''Game of Thrones'' and other TV series also boosted Northern Ireland's creative industries, contributing to an estimated 12.4-percent growth in arts, entertainment and recreation jobs between 2008 and 2013 (compared with 4.3&nbsp;percent in the rest of the UK during the same period).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Pym|first=Hugh|title=Game of Thrones boost to economy in Northern Ireland|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311|accessdate=May 11, 2014|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=May 11, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tourism organizations elsewhere reported increases in bookings after their locations appeared in ''Game of Thrones''. In 2012, bookings through [[LateRooms.com]] increased by 28 percent in Dubrovnik and 13 percent in Iceland. The following year, bookings doubled in [[Ouarzazate]], Morocco (the location of Daenerys' season-three scenes).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-288707.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Adam|first=Shabana|title=Travel News: Game of Thrones Sparks Big Boosts in Hotel Bookings to Filming Locations|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-288707.html|accessdate=April 18, 2013|publisher=Female First|date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> ''Game of Thrones'' has been attributed as a significant factor in the boom of tourism in Iceland that had a strong impact on its economy. Tourist numbers increased by 30% in 2015, followed by another 40% in 2016,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-03/world-beating-krona-weathers-iceland-s-rate-cuts-on-tourism-boom |title=Game of Thrones Crowns Iceland Krona as World's Best Currency |first=Love |last=Liman |date=May 3, 2017 |work=Bloomberg |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504043446/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-03/world-beating-krona-weathers-iceland-s-rate-cuts-on-tourism-boom |archivedate=May 4, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> with a final figure of 2.4 million visitors expected for 2016, which is around seven times the population of the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/iceland-game-thrones-hbo-westeros-krona-593949 |title=Iceland's Economy is Booming—Thanks to a Little Help from Game of Throne |first=Josh |last=Lowe |date=May 3, 2017 |work=Newsweek |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504233103/http://www.newsweek.com/iceland-game-thrones-hbo-westeros-krona-593949 |archivedate=May 4, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ==Availability== ===Broadcast=== ''Game of Thrones'' is broadcast by [[HBO]] in the United States and by its local subsidiaries or other [[pay television]] services in other countries, at the same time as in the U.S. or weeks (or months) later. The series' broadcast in China on [[China Central Television|CCTV]], begun in 2014, was heavily edited to remove scenes of sex and violence in accordance with a Chinese practice of censoring Western TV series to prevent what the ''[[People's Daily]]'' calls "negative effects and hidden security dangers". This resulted in viewer complaints about the incoherence of what remained.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Blum|first=Jeremy|title=Game of Thrones premieres on CCTV, viewers call it an edited 'mess'|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess|accessdate=May 4, 2014|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|date=April 30, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Broadcasters carrying ''Game of Thrones'' include [[Showcase (Australian TV channel)|Showcase]] in Australia; [[HBO Canada]], [[Super Écran]] and [[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]] in Canada; [[HBO Latin America]] in [[Latin America]]; [[Soho (New Zealand)|SoHo]] and [[Prime (New Zealand)|Prime]] in New Zealand, and [[Sky Atlantic]] in the United Kingdom and Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805221338/http://winter-is-coming.net/features/international-airings/ |archivedate=August 5, 2011 |url=http://www.winter-is-coming.net/features/international-airings|title=International Game of Thrones airings|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=August 2, 2011|accessdate=October 2, 2011}}</ref> ===Home video=== The ten episodes of the first season of ''Game of Thrones'' were released as a DVD and [[Blu-ray]] [[box set]] on March 6, 2012. The box set includes extra background and behind-the-scenes material but no deleted scenes, since nearly all the footage shot for the first season was used in the show.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017022137/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/30/game-of-thrones-dvd/ |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' scoop: DVD release date, details, photos|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/30/game-of-thrones-dvd/|accessdate=December 5, 2011|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 30, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> The box set sold over 350,000 copies in the first week after release, the largest first-week DVD sales ever for an HBO series, and the series set an HBO-series record for digital-download sales.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018144145/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316 |archivedate=October 18, 2014 |last=Richwine|first=Lisa|title='Game of Thrones' rules HBO's DVD sales|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316|date=March 16, 2012 |agency=Reuters|accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> A collector's-edition box set was released in November 2012, combining the DVD and Blu-ray versions of the first season with the first episode of season two. A paperweight in the shape of a dragon egg is included in the set.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425203629/http://www.bestbuy.com/site/game-of-thrones-the-complete-first-season-premium-edition-gift-box-8-discs-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray-disc/6909419.p?id=2541333&skuId=6909419|archivedate=April 25, 2016|url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/game-of-thrones-the-complete-first-season-premium-edition-gift-box-8-discs-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray-disc/6909419.p?id=2541333&skuId=6909419|title=Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season Premium Edition Gift Box [8 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] (Blu-ray Disc)|work=[[Best Buy]]|date=November 20, 2012|accessdate=April 19, 2016|deadurl=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> DVD-Blu-ray box sets and digital downloads of the second season became available on February 19, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704025800/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/ |archivedate=July 4, 2014 |title='Game of Thrones' season 2 DVD date and extras revealed|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/|accessdate=March 13, 2013|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> First-day sales broke HBO records, with 241,000 box sets sold and 355,000 episodes downloaded.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030023317/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ |archivedate=October 30, 2014 | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ | title='Game of Thrones' early DVD sales breaking HBO records | work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=February 22, 2013 | accessdate=February 23, 2013 | author=Hibberd, James|deadurl=no}}</ref> The third season was made available for purchase as a digital download on the Australian [[iTunes Store]], parallel to the U.S. premiere, and was released on DVD and Blu-ray in [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|region 1]] on February 18, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season/game-of-thrones-season-3/id611198334?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 |title=Game of Thrones season 3 on iTunes Australian Store |publisher=[[iTunes]] |accessdate=March 31, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508105049/https://itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season/game-of-thrones-season-3/id611198334?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909203852/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-3/18611 |archivedate=September 9, 2016 |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-3/18611|title=Game of Thrones – 2014 Release Date, Package Art for 'The Complete 3rd Season', on DVD, Blu|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|last=Lambert|first=David|date=June 24, 2013|accessdate=June 25, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The fourth season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 17, 2015,<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908225452/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-4/20065 |archivedate=September 8, 2016 |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-4/20065|title=Game of Thrones – 'The Complete 4th Season' Press Release: Date, Art, Cost, Extras|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|last=Lambert|first=David|date=July 16, 2014|accessdate=July 16, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the fifth season on March 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316093450/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/ |archivedate=March 16, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 [Blu-ray + Digital HD]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]]|accessdate=October 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The sixth season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814123241/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2JPULU/ |archivedate=August 14, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season [Blu-ray]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2JPULU/ |publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]] |accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Beginning in 2016, HBO began issuing Steelbook Blu-ray sets which include both [[Dolby TrueHD]] [[7.1 surround sound|7.1]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] audio options.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/game-thrones-winter-coming%E2%80%94-atmos |title=Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming—In Atmos |first=David |last=Vaughn |publisher=Sound & Vision |date=January 29, 2016 |accessdate=May 28, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515165338/http://www.soundandvision.com/content/game-thrones-winter-coming%E2%80%94-atmos |archivedate=May 15, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Copyright infringement=== ''Game of Thrones'' has been widely [[Copyright infringement of audio-visual works|pirated]], primarily outside the U.S.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015" /> According to the file-sharing news website [[TorrentFreak]], ''Game of Thrones'' has been the most-pirated TV series each year since 2012.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702013632/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/05/09/hbos-game-of-thrones-on-track-to-be-crowned-most-pirated-show-of-2012/ |archivedate=July 2, 2016 |last=Greenberg|first=Andy|title=HBO's 'Game Of Thrones' On Track To Be Crowned Most Pirated Show Of 2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/05/09/hbos-game-of-thrones-on-track-to-be-crowned-most-pirated-show-of-2012/|accessdate= May 9, 2012|work=[[Forbes]]|date=May 9, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625052658/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2013-131225/ |archivedate=June 25, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' Most Pirated TV-Show of 2013|url=http://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2013-131225/|accessdate=December 28, 2013|newspaper=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=December 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504030322/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10751891/Game-of-Thrones-still-most-pirated-TV-show.html |archivedate=May 4, 2016 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10751891/Game-of-Thrones-still-most-pirated-TV-show.html |title=Game of Thrones still most pirated TV show |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first=Rhiannon |last=Williams |date=April 8, 2014 |accessdate=June 23, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310175113/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |archivedate=March 10, 2016 |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |title=Game of Thrones tops 2015's piracy charts|work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|first=Matt |last=Kamen |date=December 28, 2015 |accessdate=December 28, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226175113/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv-show-of-2016-161226/ |archivedate=December 26, 2016 |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv-show-of-2016-161226/ |title='Game of Thrones' Most Torrented TV-Show of 2016|work=[[TorrentFreak]]|first=Ernesto |last=Van der Sar |date=December 26, 2016 |accessdate=December 26, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Illegal downloads increased to about seven million in the first quarter of 2015, up 45 percent from 2014.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629121501/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594 |archivedate=June 29, 2016 |last1=Jarvey|first1=Natalie|title='Game of Thrones' Piracy Soars Ahead of Season 5 Premiere|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594|accessdate=April 10, 2015|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 9, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> An unnamed episode was downloaded about 4,280,000 times through public [[BitTorrent tracker]]s in 2012, roughly equal to its number of broadcast viewers.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720011942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739 |archivedate=July 20, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones tops TV show internet piracy chart|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739|accessdate=January 4, 2013|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=December 24, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617091847/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2012-121223/ |archivedate=June 17, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones Most Pirated TV-Show of 2012 |date=December 23, 2012 |work=[[TorrentFreak]] |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2012-121223/ |accessdate=December 23, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Piracy rates were particularly high in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802013734/https://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |archivedate=August 2, 2016 |url=http://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |title=Who's Pirating Game of Thrones, And Why? |publisher=[[TorrentFreak]] |date=May 20, 2012 |accessdate=March 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and U.S. Ambassador to Australia [[Jeff Bleich]] issued a statement condemning Australian piracy of the series in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125134307/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/us-ambassador-jeffrey-bleich-pleads-australia-stop-pirating-game-of-thrones/story-e6frg6n6-1226629324212 |archivedate=January 25, 2015 |last=Piotrowski|first=Daniel|title=US ambassador Jeffrey Bleich pleads: Australia, stop pirating Game of Thrones|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/us-ambassador-jeffrey-bleich-pleads-australia-stop-pirating-game-of-thrones/story-e6frg6n6-1226629324212|accessdate=April 25, 2013|work=[[The Age]]|date=April 25, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Delays in availability apart from HBO and its affiliates<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508025941/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/10/international-audiences-have-few-choices-to-legally-watch-hbos-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=May 8, 2016 |last=Kain|first=Erik|title=International Audiences Have Few Choices To Legally Watch HBO's 'Game Of Thrones'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/10/international-audiences-have-few-choices-to-legally-watch-hbos-game-of-thrones/|accessdate=May 11, 2012|work=[[Forbes]]|date=May 10, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> before 2015 and the cost of subscriptions to these services have been cited as causes of the series' illegal distribution. According to ''TorrentFreak'', a subscription to a service for ''Game of Thrones'' would cost up to $25 per month in the United States, up to £26 per episode in the UK and up to $52 per episode in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710144941/https://torrentfreak.com/why-people-pirate-game-of-thrones-a-global-cost-breakdown-140413/ |archivedate=July 10, 2016 |title=Why People Pirate Game of Thrones, a Global Cost Breakdown|url=http://torrentfreak.com/why-people-pirate-game-of-thrones-a-global-cost-breakdown-140413/|accessdate=April 15, 2014|newspaper=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=April 13, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> For "combating piracy", HBO said in 2013 that it intended to make its content more widely available within a week of the U.S. premiere (including [[HBO Go]]).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307224118/https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/04/how-hbo-is-protecting-game-of-thrones-from-online-piracy-in-2013/ |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/04/how-hbo-is-protecting-game-of-thrones-from-online-piracy-in-2013/ |title=How HBO Is Protecting 'Game of Thrones' from Online Piracy in 2013 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=March 3, 2013 |accessdate=March 5, 2013 |author=Pinchefsky, Carol|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season]] was [[simulcast]] to 170 countries and to [[HBO Now]] users.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015" /> On April 11, the day before the season premiere, [[screener (promotional)|screener]] copies of the first four episodes of the fifth season leaked to a number of [[file-sharing]] websites.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626183441/http://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966 |archivedate=June 26, 2016 |title=Nearly Half of Game of Thrones Season 5 Just Leaked|url=http://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966|website=Gizmodo|deadurl=no}}</ref> Within a day of the leak, the files were downloaded over 800,000 times;<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412204649/https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2015/04/12/upcoming-game-of-thrones-episodes-leak-online-was-hbo-hacked/ |archivedate=April 12, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2015/04/12/upcoming-game-of-thrones-episodes-leak-online-was-hbo-hacked/ |title=Nearly Half Of 'Game of Thrones' Upcoming Season Leaks Online – Was HBO Hacked? |date=April 12, 2015 |first=Joseph |last=Steinberg |work=[[Forbes]] |accessdate=April 12, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> in one week the illegal downloads reached 32&nbsp;million, with the season-five premiere alone ("[[The Wars to Come]]") pirated 13&nbsp;million times.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307001526/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-5-breaks-piracy-record-with-32m-illegal-downloads-10197482.html |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-5-breaks-piracy-record-with-32m-illegal-downloads-10197482.html |title=Game of Thrones season 5 breaks piracy record with 32m illegal downloads |first=Jess |last=Denham |date=April 23, 2015 |work=[[The Independent]] |accessdate=May 12, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The season-five finale ("[[Mother's Mercy]]") was the most simultaneously shared file in the history of the [[BitTorrent]] filesharing protocol, with over 250,000 simultaneous sharers and over 1.5&nbsp;million downloads in eight hours.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811132514/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-season-finale-breaks-piracy-record-150615/ |archivedate=August 11, 2016 |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-season-finale-breaks-piracy-record-150615/|title=Game of Thrones Season Finale breaks Piracy Records|publisher=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=June 15, 2015 |accessdate=June 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> For the sixth season, HBO did not send [[screener (promotional)|screeners]] to the press, so as to prevent the spread of unlicensed copies and possible [[Spoiler (media)|spoilers]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415083105/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/02/game-thrones-season-6-review-screeners |archivedate=April 15, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/02/game-thrones-season-6-review-screeners |title=''Game of Thrones'' lockdown: HBO won't send press any season 6 episodes |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=March 2, 2016 |accessdate=March 2, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Observers, including series director [[David Petrarca]]<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318180807/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |archivedate=March 18, 2016 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |title=Downloads don't matter |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=February 26, 2013 |accessdate=March 2, 2013 |agency=Australian Associated Press|deadurl=no}}</ref> and [[Time Warner]] CEO [[Jeff Bewkes]], said that illegal downloads did not hurt the series' prospects; it benefited from "[[Marketing buzz|buzz]]" and social commentary, and the high piracy rate did not significantly translate to lost subscriptions. According to ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', HBO's relaxed attitude towards piracy and the sharing of login credentials amounted to a premium-television "[[free-to-play]]" model.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308073846/http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5636120/game-of-thrones-free-to-play-tv-hbo |archivedate=March 8, 2016 |last=Kuchera|first=Ben|title=Game of Thrones is the first 'free-to-play' TV show, and gaming is racing to catch up|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5636120/game-of-thrones-free-to-play-tv-hbo|accessdate=April 21, 2014|newspaper=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=April 21, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> At a 2015 [[Oxford Union]] debate, series co-creator David Benioff said that he was just glad that people watched the show; illegally downloaded copies of the show sometimes interested viewers enough to buy a copy of the show, especially in countries where the show was not televised. Co-creator D. B. Weiss had mixed feelings, saying that the show was expensive to produce and "if it doesn't make the money back, then it ceases to exist". However, he was pleased that so many people "enjoy the show so much they can't wait to get their hands on it."<ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones at the Oxford Union – Full Address|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc|publisher=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=June 15, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601173130/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc|archivedate=June 1, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2015, ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' called ''Game of Thrones'' the most-pirated television program.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603142753/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562 |archivedate=June 3, 2016 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562|title=Maisie Williams overjoyed as Game of Thrones marches into Guinness World Records 2016|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|last=Lynch|first=Kevin|date=August 31, 2015|accessdate=November 11, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===IMAX=== Beginning on January 23, 2015, the last two episodes of [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|season four]] were shown in 205 [[IMAX]] theaters across the United States; ''Game of Thrones'' is the first TV series shown in this format.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123092247/http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/ |archivedate=January 23, 2015 |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/|title='Game of Thrones' coming to IMAX: First TV series released in format|last=Hibberd|first=James|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=January 6, 2015|accessdate=January 22, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The show earned $686,000 at the box office on its opening day<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828102303/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-game-of-thrones-eyes-2-million-in-imax-debut-1201420355/ |archivedate=August 28, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-game-of-thrones-eyes-2-million-in-imax-debut-1201420355/ | title = Box Office: 'Game of Thrones' Eyes $2 Million in Imax Debut | first = Maane |last=Khatchatourian | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = January 31, 2015 | accessdate = February 1, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and $1.5 million during its opening weekend;<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421233114/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/02/01/box-office-american-sniper-sets-super-bowl-record-game-of-thrones-scores-in-imax/ |archivedate=April 21, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/02/01/box-office-american-sniper-sets-super-bowl-record-game-of-thrones-scores-in-imax/ | title = Box Office: 'American Sniper' Sets Super Bowl Record, 'Game Of Thrones' Scores IMAX Touchdown |first=Scott |last=Mendelson | work=[[Forbes]] | date = February 1, 2015 | accessdate = February 1, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> the week-long release grossed $1,896,092.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905171144/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm |archivedate=September 5, 2015 |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm | title=Game of Thrones (IMAX) (2015) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] | date=February 6, 2015 | accessdate=April 12, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> ==Reception and achievements== ''Game of Thrones'' was highly anticipated by fans before its premiere,<ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120193535/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated |archivedate=November 20, 2011 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated |title=Is A Game of Thrones the most eagerly anticipated TV show ever? |date=July 23, 2010 |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Mathilda |last=Gregory |accessdate=March 13, 2013 |location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/08/with-game-of-thrones-hbo-is-plotting-for-another-true-blood.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Colins |first=Scott |title=With 'Game of Thrones,' HBO is playing for another 'True Blood' |date=August 8, 2010 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/08/with-game-of-thrones-hbo-is-plotting-for-another-true-blood.html |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and has become a critical and commercial success. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', by 2014 it was "the biggest drama" and "the most talked about show" on television.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920154652/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love |archivedate=September 20, 2016 |last=Hughes|first=Sarah|title='Sopranos meets Middle-earth': how Game of Thrones took over our world|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love|accessdate=March 22, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 22, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Cultural influence=== Although ''Game of Thrones'' was dismissed by some critics before it began,<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014"/> its success has been credited with an increase in the popularity of fantasy themes. On the eve of the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season's]] premiere, a [[CNN.com]] blog post by Joel Williams read, "After this weekend, you may be hard pressed to find someone who isn't a fan of some form of [[epic fantasy]]" and cited [[Ian Bogost]] as saying that the series continues a trend of successful screen adaptations beginning with [[Peter Jackson]]'s 2001 [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy]] and the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' films]] establishing fantasy as a mass-market genre; they are "[[gateway drugs]] to fantasy fan culture".<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Williams|first=Joel|title=Mainstream finally believes fantasy fans|url=http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/|accessdate=April 5, 2012 |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Its success in the face of its genre was attributed by writers to a longing for escapism in popular culture, frequent female nudity and a skill in balancing lighthearted and serious topics (dragons and politics, for example) which provided it with a prestige enjoyed by conventional, top-tier drama series.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014" /> The series' popularity increased [[A Song of Ice and Fire#Sales|sales of the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' novels]] (republished in tie-in editions), which remained at the top of bestseller lists for months. According to ''[[The Daily Beast]]'', ''Game of Thrones'' was a favorite of [[sitcom]] writers and the series has been referred to in other TV series.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/21/game-of-thrones-modern-family-parks-and-rec-writers-on-why-they-love-the-hbo-drama.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Lacob|first=Jace|title='Game of Thrones': 'Modern Family,' 'Parks and Rec' Writers on Why They Love the HBO Drama|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/21/game-of-thrones-modern-family-parks-and-rec-writers-on-why-they-love-the-hbo-drama.html|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=September 21, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> With other fantasy series, it has been cited for an increase in the purchase (and abandonment) of [[huskies]] and other wolf-like dogs.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/game-of-thrones-inspired-huskie-craze-goes-cold-as-owners-give-up-on-dogs-8431188.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=O'Brian|first=Liam|title=Game of Thrones inspired Huskie craze goes cold as owners give up on dogs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/game-of-thrones-inspired-huskie-craze-goes-cold-as-owners-give-up-on-dogs-8431188.html|accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=December 26, 2012|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> ''Game of Thrones'' has added to the popular vocabulary. The first season's scene in which Petyr Baelish explains his motives (or background) while prostitutes had sex in the background gave rise to the word "[[sexposition]]" for providing [[exposition (literary technique)|exposition]] with sex and nudity.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328073923/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama?newsfeed=true |archivedate=March 28, 2013 |last=Hann|first=Michael|title=How 'sexposition' fleshes out the story|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama?newsfeed=true|accessdate=March 29, 2012|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 11, 2012|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> "[[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|Dothraki]]", the series' nomadic horsemen, was ranked fourth in a September 2012 [[Global Language Monitor]] list of words from television most used on the Internet.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/25/and-the-top-television-words-of-the-year-are/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Steinmetz|first=Kate|title=And the Top TV Words of the Year Are&nbsp;... |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/25/and-the-top-television-words-of-the-year-are/|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=September 25, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2012, the media used "Game of Thrones" as a figure of speech or comparison for situations of intense conflict and deceit, such as [[National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius|the 2012 United States Supreme Court decision regarding healthcare reform legislation]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-brescia/game-of-robes-why-conserv_b_1647678.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Brescia|first=Ray|title=Game of Robes: Why Conservatives May Ultimately Praise the Roberts Switch on Health Care Reform|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-brescia/game-of-robes-why-conserv_b_1647678.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 6, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the [[Syrian Civil War]]<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-varsavsky/there-is-still-a-lot-of-g_b_1649089.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Varsavsky|first=Martin|title=The Game of Thrones Around Us|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-varsavsky/there-is-still-a-lot-of-g_b_1649089.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 4, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the ousting of [[Bo Xilai]] from the Chinese government.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.theage.com.au/world/strongmen-of-china-playing-a-risky-game-of-thrones-20120630-219km.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Garnaut|first=John|title=Strongmen of China playing a risky game of thrones|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/strongmen-of-china-playing-a-risky-game-of-thrones-20120630-219km.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=July 1, 2012|location=Melbourne|deadurl=no}}</ref> "Khaleesi" has increased in popularity as a name for baby girls in the United States. In the novels and the TV series, the word is a title meaning the wife of a Khal (warlord) in the [[Dothraki language]] held by [[Daenerys Targaryen]], and not actually a name.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819190426/http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/there-are-now-more-babies-named-khaleesi-than-betsy-or-nadine-in-the-us.html |archivedate=August 19, 2016|last=O'Neil|first=Lauren|title=There are now more babies named 'Khaleesi' than 'Betsy' or 'Nadine' in the U.S.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/there-are-now-more-babies-named-khaleesi-than-betsy-or-nadine-in-the-us.html|date=April 11, 2014|newspaper=[[CBC News]]|accessdate=April 27, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> ==={{anchor|General}}Critical response=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="float:right; text-align:center; margin:10px;" |- ! style="padding:0 8px;" colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Season ! style="padding:0 8px;" colspan="2" | Critical response |- ! style="padding:0 8px;" | [[Rotten Tomatoes]] ! style="padding:0 8px;" | [[Metacritic]] |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#295354;"| | 1 | 89% (33 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 1 (2011) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823100552/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01 |archivedate=August 23, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 80 (28 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS1">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-1 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 1 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=August 11, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#D09916;"| | 2 | 96% (33 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 (2012) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154031/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 90 (26 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=August 11, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819000000/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2 |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#5C5857;"| | 3 | 97% (44 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 (2013) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154035/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 91 (25 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=March 28, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819000000/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3 |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#212121;"| | 4 | 97% (50 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 4 |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154042/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 94 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 4 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 8, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404151021/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4 |archivedate=April 4, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#68411C;"| | 5 | 95% (52 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 (2015) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826102539/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05 |archivedate=August 26, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 91 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS5">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 11, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417014228/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5 |archivedate=April 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#31485C;"| | 6 | 96% (29 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 6 (2016) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=April 25, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424160905/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06 |archivedate=April 24, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 73 (9 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS6">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 6 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 28, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426183043/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6 |archivedate=April 26, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#4CB8E9;"| | 7 | 96% (34 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS7">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 7|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07/#episodes|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=August 31, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430154506/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07#episodes|archivedate=April 30, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | 77 (12 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS7">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 7 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=July 18, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722061455/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7 |archivedate=July 22, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |} ''Game of Thrones'' has received critical acclaim, although the series' frequent use of nudity and violence has been criticized. Its seasons have appeared on annual "best of" lists published by ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (2011), ''[[TIME Magazine|TIME]]'' (2011 and 2012) and ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' (2012).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305075523/http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/12/thrones-lands-on-tons-of-top-tv-shows-of-2011-lists/ |archivedate=March 5, 2013 |title=Thrones lands on tons of top TV shows of 2011 lists|url=http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/12/thrones-lands-on-tons-of-top-tv-shows-of-2011-lists/|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=December 23, 2011 | accessdate =December 23, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/255830.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=Plaudits for GAME OF THRONES |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/255830.html |accessdate=December 23, 2011 |date=December 21, 2011 |publisher=Not A Blog |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411133825/http://winteriscoming.net/2012/12/game-of-thrones-the-best-of-2012/ |archivedate=April 11, 2014 |title=Game of Thrones: The best of 2012|url=http://winteriscoming.net/2012/12/game-of-thrones-the-best-of-2012/|accessdate=January 4, 2013|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=December 27, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The performances of the cast have also been praised. [[Peter Dinklage]]'s "charming, morally ambiguous, and self-aware"<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230144/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/ |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Gilbert|first=Matthew|title=Fantasy comes true with HBO's 'Game of Thrones'|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=April 15, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tyrion, who earned him [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Emmy]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe]] awards, was noted. "In many ways, ''Game of Thrones'' belongs to Dinklage", wrote Mary McNamara of the ''[[Los Angeles Times|L.A. Times]]'' before Tyrion became the series' central figure in [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|season two]].<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/15/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=McNamara|first=Mary|title=Swords, sex and struggles|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/15/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415|accessdate=May 19, 2013|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 15, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329120407/http://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/singleton/ |archivedate=March 29, 2012 |last=Paskin|first=Willa|title=Bloody, bloody "Game of Thrones"|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/singleton/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[Salon magazine|Salon]]|date=March 29, 2012}}</ref> Several critics highlighted performances by actresses<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011" /> and children.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roush-Review-Thrones-1031879.aspx |archivedate=August 21, 2014 |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roush-Review-Thrones-1031879.aspx |title=Roush Review: Grim Thrones Is a Crowning Achievement|first=Matt |last=Roush |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=April 15, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Fourteen-year-old [[Maisie Williams]], noted in the first season for her debut as [[Arya Stark]], was singled out for her season-two work with veteran actor [[Charles Dance]] ([[Tywin Lannister]]).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/game-changers-the-10-biggest-changes-between-game-of-thrones-and-the-books-20120515/the-tywin-and-arya-show-19691231 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |title=The Tywin and Arya Show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/game-changers-the-10-biggest-changes-between-game-of-thrones-and-the-books-20120515/the-tywin-and-arya-show-19691231|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 15, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> First-season reviewers said the series had high production values, a fully realized world and compelling characters.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017221329/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20481542%2C00.html |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |author=Tucker, Ken |title=Game of Thrones (2011) |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 14, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2011 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20481542,00.html |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', "There may be no show more profitable to its network than 'Game of Thrones' is to HBO. Fully produced by the pay cabler and already a global phenomenon after only one season, the fantasy skein was a gamble that has paid off handsomely".<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/ |title=Cablers hit highs, lows, PR hurdles in 2011 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 27, 2011 |accessdate=December 31, 2011 |author=Levine, Stuart |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The second season was also well received by critics. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' praised its "vivid, vital, and just plain fun" storytelling<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027041802/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20470532_20580368%2C00.html |archivedate=October 27, 2014 |last=Tucker |first=Ken |title=TV Review: Game Of Thrones (2012) |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20470532_20580368,00.html |accessdate=March 25, 2012 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 21, 2012 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and, according to ''[[the Hollywood Reporter]]'', the show made a "strong case for being one of TV's best series"; its seriousness made it the only drama comparable to ''[[Mad Men]]'' or ''[[Breaking Bad]]''.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6W4Uf7zgs?url=http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/Game-of-Thrones-HBO-Peter-Dinklage-George-Martin-304869 |archivedate=February 3, 2015 |last=Goodman |first=Tim |title='Game of Thrones' Season 2: TV Review |url=http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/Game-of-Thrones-HBO-Peter-Dinklage-George-Martin-304869 |accessdate=March 28, 2012 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 27, 2012 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the series a mixed review, criticizing its number of characters, their lack of complexity and a meandering plot.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921082549/http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html |archivedate=September 21, 2013 |last=Genzlinger|first=Neil|title=Uneasy Lies the Head That Steals a Crown: 'Game of Thrones' on HBO|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html|accessdate=March 29, 2012|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 29, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The third season was very well received by critics, with Metacritic giving it a score of 91 out of 100 (indicating "universal acclaim").<ref name="MetacriticS3" /> The fourth season was also praised; Metacritic gave it a score of 94 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, again indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MetacriticS4" /> The fifth season was also well received by critics and has a score of 91 out of 100 (based on 29 reviews) on Metacritic.<ref name="MetacriticS5" /> The sixth season has been praised by critics. It has a score of 73 out of 100 (based on nine reviews) on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MetacriticS6" /> The seventh season has a score of 77 out of 100 (based on twelve reviews) on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MetacriticS7" /> The series has a rating of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 44 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3" /> All episodes had positive reviews of 91 percent or higher on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 97-percent rating (based on 50 reviews) for the season as a whole.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4" /> On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 95 percent and an average score of 8.6 out of 10 (based on 52 reviews).<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5" /> The season has a rating of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 29 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6" /> After the first episode aired, the seventh season held a rating of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 29 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS7" /> ===={{anchor|Use of sex and violence|Sex and violence}}Sex and violence==== Despite its otherwise enthusiastic reception by critics, ''Game of Thrones'' has been criticized for the amount of female nudity, violence, and sexual violence (especially against women) it depicts, and for the manner in which it depicts these themes. ''[[The Atlantic]]'' called the series' "tendency to ramp up the sex, violence, and—especially—sexual violence" of the source material "the defining weakness" of the adaptation.<ref name="Atlantic">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826014749/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/game-of-thrones-roundtable-season-5-episode-six-unbowed-unbent-unbroken/393503/ |archivedate=August 26, 2016|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/game-of-thrones-roundtable-season-5-episode-six-unbowed-unbent-unbroken/393503/|title=Game of Thrones: A Pointless Horror and a Ridiculous Fight|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|last2=Orr|first2=Christopher|last3=Sullivan|first3=Amy|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> George R. R. Martin responded that he feels obliged to be truthful about history and human nature, and that rape and sexual violence are common in war; and that omitting them from the narrative would have rung false and undermined one of [[#Themes|his novels' themes]], its historical realism.<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> HBO said that they "fully support the vision and artistry of Dan and David’s exceptional work and we feel this work speaks for itself."<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> The amount of sex and nudity in the series, especially in scenes that are incidental to the plot, was the focus of much of the criticism aimed at the series in its [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|first]] and [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second seasons]]. [[Stephen Dillane]], who portrays [[Stannis Baratheon]], likened the series' frequent explicit scenes to "German porn from the 1970s".<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/14/game-of-thrones-stephen-dillane-the-tunnel_n_4595628.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Frost|first=Caroline|title='Game of Thrones' Star Stephen Dillane Admits the Nudity Is Like 'German Porn from the 1970s'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/14/game-of-thrones-stephen-dillane-the-tunnel_n_4595628.html|accessdate=January 16, 2014|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=January 14, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Charlie Anders]] wrote in [[io9]] that while the first season was replete with light-hearted "[[sexposition]]", the second season appeared to focus on distasteful, exploitative, and dehumanizing sex with little informational content.<ref name="io9 2 May 2012">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911064821/http://io9.com/5906540/is-game-of-thrones-gratiutious-sex-worse-than-the-gratuitous-violence |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|title=Is Game of Thrones' gratuitous sex worse than the gratuitous violence?|url=http://io9.com/5906540/is-game-of-thrones-gratiutious-sex-worse-than-the-gratuitous-violence|accessdate=May 2, 2012|work=[[io9]]|date=May 2, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'}}s Anna Holmes, the nude scenes appeared to be aimed mainly at titillating heterosexual men, right down to the Brazilian waxes sported by the women in the series' faux-medieval setting, which made these scenes alienating to other viewers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Holmes|first=Anna|title=Skin is wearing thin on HBO's 'Game of Thrones'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/skin-is-wearing-thin-on-hbos-game-of-thrones/2012/04/26/gIQA4hd6jT_story_1.html|accessdate=May 2, 2012|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 26, 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527173457/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/skin-is-wearing-thin-on-hbos-game-of-thrones/2012/04/26/gIQA4hd6jT_story_1.html|archivedate=May 27, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''[[The Huffington Post]]''{{'}}s Maureen Ryan likewise noted that ''Game of Thrones'' mostly presented women naked, rather than men, and that the excess of "random boobage" undercut any aspirations the series might have to address the oppression of women in a feudal society.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502120407/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-7-recap/ |archivedate=May 2, 2012 |last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title='Game of Thrones' Season 1, Episode 7 Recap|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-7-recap/|accessdate=May 2, 2012|publisher=[[AOL TV]]|date=May 29, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' parodied this aspect of the adaptation in a sketch that portrayed the series as retaining a thirteen-year-old boy as a consultant whose main concern was showing as many breasts as possible.<ref name="io9 2 May 2012" /><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://gawker.com/5902076/snl-explains-the-nudity-in-game-of-thrones |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Toder |first=Matt |title=SNL Explains the Nudity in Game of Thrones |url=http://gawker.com/5902076/snl-explains-the-nudity-in-game-of-thrones |accessdate=May 2, 2012 |publisher=Gawker |date=April 15, 2012 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> In the [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|third season]], which saw [[Theon Greyjoy]] lengthily tortured and eventually [[emasculated]], the series was also criticized for its use of torture.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Orr|first=Christopher|title=Game of Thrones' Worst Scene Yet?|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[New York (magazine)|''New York'' magazine]] called the scene "[[torture porn]]."<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html |title=''Game of Thrones'' Couple of the Week: Tyrion and Shae Are Never Getting Back Together |first=Allison P. |last=David |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=July 17, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Madeleine Davies of ''[[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]]'' agreed, saying, "it's not uncommon that ''Game of Thrones'' gets accused of being torture porn—senseless, [[objectification|objectifying]] violence combined with senseless, objectifying sexual imagery." According to Davies, although the series' violence tended to serve a narrative purpose, Theon's torture in "[[The Bear and the Maiden Fair#In the North|The Bear and the Maiden Fair]]" was excessive.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Madeleine|title=Game of Boners: This Is Torture Porn|url=http://jezebel.com/game-of-boners-this-is-torture-porn-504821180|accessdate=May 17, 2013|newspaper=Jezebel|date=May 13, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Breaker of Chains#Rape scene|A scene]] in the [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|fourth season's]] episode "[[Breaker of Chains]]", in which [[Jaime Lannister]] rapes his sister and lover [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], triggered a broad public discussion about the series' depiction of sexual violence against women. According to Dave Itzkoff of ''[[The New York Times]]'', the scene caused outrage, in part because of comments by director [[Alex Graves]] that the scene became "consensual by the end". Itzkoff also wrote that critics fear that "rape has become so pervasive in the drama that it is almost background noise: a routine and unshocking occurrence".<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/arts/television/for-game-of-thrones-rising-unease-over-rapes-recurring-role.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|title=For 'Game of Thrones,' Rising Unease Over Rape's Recurring Role|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/arts/television/for-game-of-thrones-rising-unease-over-rapes-recurring-role.html|accessdate=May 4, 2014|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 2, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Sonia Saraiya of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' wrote that the series' choice to portray this sexual act, and a similar one between [[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Khal Drogo]] in the first season—both described as consensual in the source novels—as a rape appeared to be an act of "[[Exploitation fiction|exploitation]] for shock value".<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.avclub.com/article/rape-thrones-203499 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|title=Rape of Thrones Why are the Game Of Thrones showrunners rewriting the books into misogyny?|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/rape-thrones-203499|accessdate=April 21, 2014|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=April 20, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season's]] episode "[[Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken]]", [[Sansa Stark]] is raped by [[Ramsay Bolton]]. Most reviewers, including those from ''Vanity Fair'', ''Salon'', ''The Atlantic'', and ''The Daily Beast'', found the scene gratuitous and artistically unnecessary.<ref name="Atlantic" /><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728222832/http://www.salon.com/2015/05/18/heres_why_people_are_so_upset_about_the_latest_game_of_thrones_rape_so_cheap_such_an_obvious_choice_i_felt_offended_as_a_fan/ |archivedate=July 28, 2016 |url=http://www.salon.com/2015/05/18/heres_why_people_are_so_upset_about_the_latest_game_of_thrones_rape_so_cheap_such_an_obvious_choice_i_felt_offended_as_a_fan/|title=Here's why people are so upset about the latest "Game of Thrones" rape: "So cheap, such an obvious choice, I felt offended as a fan" |last=Silman|first=Anna|work=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]|date=May 18, 2015|accessdate=June 26, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513115940/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11608928/Game-of-Thrones-Unbowed-Unbent-Unbroken-season-5-episode-6-review.html |archivedate=May 13, 2016|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11608928/Game-of-Thrones-Unbowed-Unbent-Unbroken-season-5-episode-6-review.html|title=Game of Thrones: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken, season 5 episode 6, review: 'raw emotion'|last=Runcie|first=Charlotte|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=DailyBeast>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/19/the-rape-of-sansa-stark-game-of-thrones-goes-off-book-and-enrages-its-female-fans.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/19/the-rape-of-sansa-stark-game-of-thrones-goes-off-book-and-enrages-its-female-fans.html|title=The Rape of Sansa Stark: 'Game of Thrones' Goes Off-Book and Enrages Its Female Fans|last=Leon|first=Melissa|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=May 19, 2015|accessdate=May 20, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> For example, Joanna Robinson, writing for ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'', said that the scene "undercuts all the agency that's been growing in Sansa since the end of last season."<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/game-of-thrones-rape-sansa-stark |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/game-of-thrones-rape-sansa-stark |title=''Game of Thrones'' Absolutely Did ''Not'' Need to Go There with Sansa Stark |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |first=Joanna |last=Robinson |date=May 17, 2015 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In contrast, Sara Stewart of ''The New York Post'' wondered why viewers were not similarly upset about the many background and minor characters who'd undergone similar or worse treatment.<ref name=NYPost>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://nypost.com/2015/05/19/its-a-stark-reality-outrage-over-sansa-rape-scene-misses-the-point/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://nypost.com/2015/05/19/its-a-stark-reality-outrage-over-sansa-rape-scene-misses-the-point/|title=It's a Stark reality: Outrage over Sansa rape scene misses the point|last=Stewart|first=Sara|work=[[New York Post]]|date=May 19, 2015|accessdate=May 19, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In response to the scene, pop culture website ''[[The Mary Sue]]'' announced that it would cease coverage of the series because of the repeated use of rape as a plot device,<ref name=TheMarySueIsSoDone>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.themarysue.com/we-will-no-longer-be-promoting-hbos-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.themarysue.com/we-will-no-longer-be-promoting-hbos-game-of-thrones/|title= We Will No Longer Be Promoting HBO's Game of Thrones|last=Pantozzi|first=Jill|work=[[The Mary Sue]]|date=May 18, 2015|accessdate=May 20, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and U.S. Senator [[Claire McCaskill]] said that she would no longer watch it.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cillizza|first1=Chris|title=Claire McCaskill is done with ‘Game of Thrones’ after Sunday’s rape scene. She’s got a point.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/05/19/claire-mccaskill-is-done-with-game-of-thrones-after-sundays-rape-scene-shes-got-a-point/|accessdate=August 9, 2017|work=Washington Post|date=May 19, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724150232/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/05/19/claire-mccaskill-is-done-with-game-of-thrones-after-sundays-rape-scene-shes-got-a-point/|archivedate=July 24, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As the sixth and seventh seasons saw Daenerys, Sansa and Cersei assume ruling positions, Alyssa Rosenberg of the ''Washington Post'' noted that the series could be seen as a "long-arc revenge fantasy about what happens when women who have been brutalized and raped gain power"—namely, that their past leaves them too broken to do anything but commit brutal acts in their own turn, and that their personal liberation does not effect the social change needed to protect others from suffering.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Alyssa|title=The arguments about women and power in ‘Game of Thrones’ have never been more unsettling|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/08/09/the-arguments-about-women-and-power-in-game-of-thrones-have-never-been-more-unsettling/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|accessdate=August 9, 2017|work=The Washington Post|date=August 9, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809212138/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/08/09/the-arguments-about-women-and-power-in-game-of-thrones-have-never-been-more-unsettling/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|archivedate=August 9, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ===Fandom=== {{main article|A Song of Ice and Fire fandom}} [[File:The Westeros Wing.jpg|thumb|alt=President Obama sits on the Iron Throne in the Oval Office of the White House, surrounded by other people|In this [[manipulated image]] published by the [[White House]], U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] (a fan of the series) sits on the Iron Throne in the [[Oval Office]] with the king's crown on his lap.]] ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' and ''Game of Thrones'' have a broad, active international [[Fandom|fan base]]. In 2012 ''[[New York (magazine)|Vulture.com]]'' ranked the series' fans as the most devoted in popular culture, more so than [[Lady Gaga]]'s, [[Justin Bieber]]'s, ''[[Harry Potter]]''{{'}}s or ''[[Star Wars]]''{{'}}.<ref name="Vulture October 15, 2012">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html?mid=nymag_press#photo=25x00014 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=The 25 Most Devoted Fan Bases|url=http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html?mid=nymag_press#photo=25x00014|accessdate=October 17, 2012|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=October 15, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Fans include political leaders such as former U.S. president [[Barack Obama]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Shear|first=Michael|title=Obama's TV Picks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html|accessdate=December 29, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 29, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105010138/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones |archivedate=January 5, 2014 |last=Ghahremani |first=Tanya |title=President Obama 'Really Likes' Game of Thrones, In Case You Were Wondering |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones |accessdate=December 30, 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=December 30, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> former British prime minister [[David Cameron]],<ref>{{cite web|title=David Cameron admits he is a 'Throney' and 'huge fan' on Game of Thrones studio tour|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/568919/David-Cameron-Game-of-Thrones-General-Election-2015|work=[[Daily Express]]|first=Victoria|last=Armstrong|date=April 7, 2015|accessdate=April 10, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> former Australian prime minister [[Julia Gillard]]<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716014754/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones |archivedate=July 16, 2013 |last=Taylor|first=Lenore|title=Julia Gillard reveals Game of Thrones addiction|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones|accessdate=May 30, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=May 30, 2013|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426145920/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/07/game-of-thrones-parallels-prime-minister?CMP=twt_gu |archivedate=April 26, 2016|last=Gillard|first=Julia|title=Game of Thrones has parallels with my time as Australian prime minister|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/07/game-of-thrones-parallels-prime-minister?CMP=twt_gu|accessdate=April 7, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 7, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Dutch foreign minister [[Frans Timmermans]], who framed European politics in quotes from Martin's novels in a 2013 speech.<ref>{{cite news|last=Luoma|first=Sarah|title=Dutch foreign minister uses 'Game of Thrones' as political analogy|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|accessdate=November 2, 2016|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=May 31, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20161217132623/http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|archivedate=December 17, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[BBC News]] said in 2013 that "the passion and the extreme devotion of fans" had created a phenomenon unlike anything related to other popular TV series, manifesting itself in [[fan fiction]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903190051/http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/ |archivedate=September 3, 2016 |last=Templeton |first=Molly |title=The best (and the weirdest) of "Game of Thrones" fanfiction |url=http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/ |accessdate=July 6, 2013 |newspaper=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]] |date=June 16, 2013 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ''Game of Thrones''-themed [[burlesque]] routines and parents naming their children after series characters; writers quoted attributed this success to the rich detail, moral ambiguity, sexual explicitness and epic scale of the series and novels.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=de Castella|first=Tom|title=Game of Thrones: Why does it inspire such devotion among fans?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915|accessdate=March 23, 2013|newspaper=[[BBC News Magazine]]|date=March 22, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The previous year, "[[Arya (name)|Arya]]" was the fastest-rising girl's name in the U.S. after it jumped in popularity from 711th to 413th place.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019200832/http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/ |archivedate=October 19, 2014 |last=Carlson|first=Adam|title='Game of Thrones' domination is nearly complete: 'Arya' is the fastest-rising name for baby girls|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 10, 2013|accessdate= May 10, 2013|deadurl=yes}}</ref> In 2013 about 58 percent of series viewers were male and 42 percent female, and the average male viewer was 41 years old.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028183047/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/ |archivedate=October 28, 2014 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' piracy is a compliment|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/|accessdate=April 3, 2013|newspaper=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321142339/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones |archivedate=March 21, 2014 |last=Watercutter|first=Angela|title=Yes, Women Really Do Like Game of Thrones (We Have Proof)|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones/|date=June 3, 2013|accessdate=June 6, 2013|work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to [[SBS Broadcasting Group]] marketing director Helen Kellie, ''Game of Thrones'' has a high fan-engagement rate; 5.5 percent of the series' 2.9&nbsp;million [[Facebook]] fans talked online about the series in 2012, compared to 1.8&nbsp;percent of the more than ten million fans of ''[[True Blood]]'' (HBO's other fantasy series).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206074236/http://www.marketingmag.com.au/blogs/social-is-coming-of-age-in-the-marketing-mix-a-tv-perspective-25975/ |archivedate=December 6, 2014 |last=Kellie|first=Helen|title=Social is coming of age in the marketing mix – a TV perspective|url=http://www.marketingmag.com.au/blogs/social-is-coming-of-age-in-the-marketing-mix-a-tv-perspective-25975/|accessdate=October 29, 2012|newspaper=Marketing magazine|date=October 26, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Vulture.com cited Westeros.org and WinterIsComing.net (news and discussion forums), ToweroftheHand.com (which organizes communal readings of the novels) and Podcastoficeandfire.com as [[fan sites]] dedicated to the TV and novel series;<ref name="Vulture October 15, 2012" /> and [[podcast]]s cover ''Game of Thrones''.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623114614/http://www.geeksugar.com/Game-Thrones-Podcasts-30228595 |archivedate=June 23, 2014 |last=Nguyen|first=Nicole|title=In the Game of Thrones, These Podcasts Play to Win|url=http://www.geeksugar.com/Game-Thrones-Podcasts-30228595|accessdate=May 4, 2013|newspaper=Geeksugar|date=May 3, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Awards and accolades=== {{main article|List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones}} ''Game of Thrones'' has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 38 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s,<ref name="emmys.com"/> 5 [[Screen Actors Guild Award]], and a [[Peabody Award]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601004713/http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php |archivedate=June 1, 2012 |title=Complete List of Recipients of the 71st Annual Peabody Awards|url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php|publisher=Peabody Awards|date=April 4, 2012|accessdate=November 5, 2016}}</ref> It holds the Emmy-award record for a scripted television series, ahead of ''[[Frasier]]'' (which received 37).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/ |title=Game of Thrones Now Has the Most Emmy Wins Ever |first=Eliana |last=Dockterman |date=September 18, 2016 |work=Time |accessdate=September 19, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919042453/http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/ |archivedate=September 19, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2013 the [[Writers Guild of America]] listed ''Game of Thrones'' as the 40th "best written" series in television history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |title='101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List |publisher=[[Deadline.com]] |date=June 2, 2013 |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6H5yn3sZq?url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |archivedate=June 3, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> In 2015 ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' placed it at number four on their "best TV shows ever" list,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363 |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105223813/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363 |archivedate=November 5, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> while in 2016 the show was placed seventh on ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]''{{'s}} "The 50 best TV shows ever".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/ |title=The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104130445/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/ |archivedate=November 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The same year ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named it the twelfth "greatest TV Show of all time".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-w439520/late-night-with-david-letterman-w439627 |title=100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105224622/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-w439520/late-night-with-david-letterman-w439627 |archivedate=November 5, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The 2011 [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|first season]] received 13 nominations (including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]), and won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (given to [[Peter Dinklage]] for his portrayal of [[Tyrion Lannister]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design|Outstanding Main Title Design]]. Other nominations included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Winter Is Coming]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[Baelor]]").<ref name="emmys.com"/> Dinklage was also named Best Supporting Actor at the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe]], [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Satellite]] and [[Scream Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-2012-winners-list-282032 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-2012-winners-list-282032 |title=Golden Globes 2012: The Winners List |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 15, 2012 |accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829120407/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/2011-Scream-Awards-Winners-Vampires-Wizards-Swans-27353.html |archivedate=August 29, 2012 |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/2011-Scream-Awards-Winners-Vampires-Wizards-Swans-27353.html|title=The 2011 Scream Awards Winners: Vampires, Wizards And Swans |publisher=Cinemablend|first=Kelly |last=West |date=June 19, 2011|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318221149/http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/ |archivedate=March 18, 2016 |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/|title=2011 Winners|publisher=[[International Press Academy]]|date=June 19, 2011|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2012, the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]] received six [[64th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards]] from 11 nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage).<ref name="emmys.com"/> The 2013 [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|third season]] received 16 Emmy nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Emilia Clarke]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Diana Rigg]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[The Rains of Castamere]]"), winning two [[65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]].<ref name="emmys.com"/> In 2014 the [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|fourth season]] received four [[66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]] from 19 nominations, which included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Lena Headey]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]] (Rigg), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[The Watchers on the Wall]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[The Children (Game of Thrones)|The Children]]").<ref name="emmys.com"/> The 2015 [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season]] won the most Primetime Emmy Awards for a series in a year (12 awards from 24 nominations), including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]; other wins included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Mother's Mercy]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[Mother's Mercy]]"), and eight were [[67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901192112/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-wins-record-1201598356/ |archivedate=September 1, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-wins-record-1201598356/ |title='Game of Thrones' Sets Record for Most Emmy Wins in a Year |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=September 20, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |accessdate=September 21, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, the [[Game of Thrones (season 6)|sixth season]] received the most nominations for the [[68th Primetime Emmy Awards]] (23). It won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Battle of the Bastards]]"), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("Battle of the Bastards"), and nine [[68th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]]. Nominations included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage and [[Kit Harington]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] (Clarke, Headey and [[Maisie Williams]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series]] ([[Max von Sydow]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[The Door (Game of Thrones)|The Door]]").<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830110843/http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-2016-emmys-nominations-1201814023/ |archivedate=August 30, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-2016-emmys-nominations-1201814023/ |title='Game of Thrones' Rules 2016 Emmy Race With 23 Nominations |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=July 14, 2016 |accessdate=July 14, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> ===Viewer numbers=== The first season averaged 2.5 million viewers for its first Sunday-night screenings and a gross audience (including repeats and on-demand viewings) of 9.3 million viewers per episode.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508025251/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/03/game_of_thrones_how_hbo_and_showtime_make_money_despite_low_ratings_.html |archivedate=May 8, 2016 |last= Thomas|first=June|title=How Much Gold Is Game of Thrones Worth |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/03/game_of_thrones_how_hbo_and_showtime_make_money_despite_low_ratings_.html |date=March 29, 2012 |accessdate=June 5, 2014|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> For its second season, the series had an average gross audience of 11.6 million viewers.<ref>{{cite press |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/04/02/hbo-renews-game-of-thrones-for-fourth-season-100210/20130402hbo01/ |title=HBO Renews 'Game of Thrones' for Fourth Season |publisher=[[HBO]] |date=April 2, 2013 |accessdate=August 23, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The third season was seen by 14.2 million viewers, making ''Game of Thrones'' the second-most-viewed HBO series (after ''[[The Sopranos]]'').<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020132436/http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/game-of-thrones-is-time-warners-cash-cow.html/?a=viewall |archivedate=October 20, 2014 |last=Ritter|first=Dan|title=Game of Thrones is Time Warner's Cash Cow|url=http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/game-of-thrones-is-time-warners-cash-cow.html/?a=viewall|accessdate=August 8, 2013|newspaper=Wall Street Cheat Sheet|date=August 7, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124632/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Adalian|first=Josef|title=For HBO, Game of Thrones Ratings Second Only to The Sopranos|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html|accessdate=June 6, 2013|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=June 8, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> For the fourth season, HBO said that its average gross audience of 18.4 million viewers (later adjusted to 18.6 million) had passed ''The Sopranos'' for the record.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603155225/http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/game-of-thrones-has-become-more-popular-than-the-sopranos-sorta-kinda |archivedate=June 3, 2016 |last= Fienberg|first=Daniel|title='Game of Thrones' has become more popular than 'The Sopranos' sorta kinda |url=http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/game-of-thrones-has-become-more-popular-than-the-sopranos-sorta-kinda |date=June 5, 2014 |accessdate=June 5, 2014|work=[[HitFix]]|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020021930/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616 |archivedate=October 20, 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616 |title='Game of Thrones' draws 7.1 million viewers for blood-filled finale |date=June 16, 2014 |agency=Reuters |first=Piya |last=Sinha-Roy |accessdate=July 13, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> By the sixth season the average per-episode gross viewing figure had increased to over 25 million, with nearly 40 percent of viewers watching on HBO digital platforms.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214019/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-ratings-show-brought-in-251-million-viewers-on-average-per-episode-a7144261.html |archivedate=August 19, 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-ratings-show-brought-in-251-million-viewers-on-average-per-episode-a7144261.html|title=Game of Thrones season 6 ratings: Show brought in 25.1 million viewers on average per episode |first=Jack |last=Shepherd |work=[[The Independent]] |date=July 19, 2016 |accessdate=July 22, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, a ''[[New York Times]]'' study of the 50 TV shows with the most [[Facebook Like]]s found that ''Game of Thrones'' was "much more popular in cities than in the countryside, probably the only show involving zombies that is".<ref name="katz20161227">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html |title='Duck Dynasty' vs. 'Modern Family': 50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide |last=Katz |first=Josh |date=December 27, 2016 |accessdate=December 28, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20170329083111/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html?_r=1 |archivedate=March 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The series set records on pay-television channels in the United Kingdom (with a 2016 average audience of more than five million on all platforms)<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910043635/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/06/game-of-thrones-most-popular-sky-series-ever-as-16m-download-show |archivedate=September 10, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/06/game-of-thrones-most-popular-sky-series-ever-as-16m-download-show |title=Game of Thrones most popular Sky series ever with 5m viewers |first=John |last=Plunkett |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 6, 2016 |accessdate=July 6, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Australia (with a cumulative average audience of 1.2 million).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702083442/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-season-six-finale-sets-australian-audience-record-for-foxtel-20160629-gpu4kj.html |archivedate=July 2, 2016 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-season-six-finale-sets-australian-audience-record-for-foxtel-20160629-gpu4kj.html |title=Game of Thrones season six finale sets Australian audience record for Foxtel |date=June 29, 2016 |first=Michael |last=Idato |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The following graph indicates first-airing viewer numbers in the US: {{Game of Thrones ratings}} ==Other media and products== {{see also|Works based on A Song of Ice and Fire}} ===Video games=== {{main article|List of A Song of Ice and Fire video games}} The series has inspired [[List of A Song of Ice and Fire video games|four video games]] based on the TV series and novels. The strategy game ''[[Game of Thrones Ascent]]'' ties into the HBO series, making characters and settings available to players as they appear on television.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824094356/http://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-ascent-is-more-up-to-date-with-the-sho-476864152 |archivedate=August 24, 2016 |last=Fahey|first=Mike|title=Game of Thrones: Ascent is More Up-to-Date With the Show Than You Are|url=http://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-ascent-is-more-up-to-date-with-the-sho-476864152|accessdate=April 23, 2013|publisher=Kotaku|date=April 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Merchandise and exhibition=== [[File:Game of Thrones merchandise in HBO shop.jpg|thumb|alt=A selection of the show's merchandise|''Game of Thrones'' merchandise in HBO's New York City store]] HBO has licensed a variety of [[Merchandising#Licensing|merchandise]] based on ''Game of Thrones'', including [[A Game of Thrones games|games]], replica weapons and armor, jewelry, [[bobblehead]] dolls by [[Funko]], beer by [[Brewery Ommegang|Ommegang]] and apparel.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429131316/http://www.licensing.biz/brand-profiles/264/Game-of-Thrones |archivedate=April 29, 2016 |last=Sacco|first=Dominic|title=Brand Profiles: Game of Thrones|url=http://www.licensing.biz/brand-profiles/264/Game-of-Thrones|accessdate=June 16, 2013|newspaper=Licensing.biz|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> High-end merchandise includes a $10,500 [[Ulysse Nardin]] wristwatch<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221182759/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch |archivedate=December 21, 2014 |last=Miller|first=Julie|title="Is the $10,500 Game of Thrones Watch Blood-Resistant?" and Our Other Most Pressing Concerns About the Official "Night's" Timepiece|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=May 9, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> and a $30,000 [[resin]] replica of the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129073534/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |last=Miller|first=Julie|title=The Pros and Cons of Owning a $30,000 Game of Thrones Replica Throne|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=June 5, 2012}}</ref> In 2013 and 2014, a traveling exhibition of costumes, props, armor and weapons from the series visited major cities in Europe and the Americas.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html | title=Exhibition | publisher=[[HBO]] | accessdate=February 19, 2013 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222012445/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html | archivedate=February 22, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Accompanying material=== ''[[Thronecast]]: The Official Guide to Game of Thrones'', a series of [[podcast]]s presented by [[Geoff Lloyd]] and produced by Koink, has been released on the [[Sky Atlantic]] website and the UK [[iTunes]] store during the series' run; a new podcast, with analysis and cast interviews, is released after each episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/thronecast-official-fan-show/id429051561|title=Thronecast: The Official Fan Show for Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic HD|date=April 18, 2011|accessdate=April 18, 2012|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417105123/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/thronecast-official-fan-show/id429051561|archivedate=April 17, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2014 and 2015 HBO commissioned ''[[Catch the Throne]]'', two rap albums about the series.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604042838/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142 |archivedate=June 4, 2016 |last=Whelan|first=Robbie|title=Unlikely Mix: Rappers, Dragons and Fantasy: HBO Hires Hip-Hop, Latin-Music Artists to Promote 'Game of Thrones'|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142|accessdate=March 7, 2014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=March 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910094058/http://www.spin.com/2015/03/game-of-thrones-catch-the-throne-2-talib-kweli-stream/ |archivedate=September 10, 2016 |url=http://www.spin.com/2015/03/game-of-thrones-catch-the-throne-2-talib-kweli-stream/ |title=Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli, Mastodon, More To Appear On 'Game of Thrones' Mixtape |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|first=Colin |last=Joyce |date=March 7, 2015 |accessdate=April 4, 2015 |deadurl=no}}</ref> A companion book, ''Inside HBO's Game of Thrones'' ({{ISBN|978-1-4521-1010-3}}) by series writer [[Bryan Cogman]], was published on September 27, 2012. The 192-page book, illustrated with concept art and behind-the-scenes photographs, covers the creation of the series' first two seasons and its principal characters and families.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020211004/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/ |archivedate=October 20, 2014 |last=Edwards|first=Richard|title=Inside HBO's Game Of Thrones by Bryan Cogman REVIEW|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|date=September 21, 2012}}</ref> ''[[After the Thrones]]'' is a [[live television|live]] [[aftershow]] in which hosts [[Andy Greenwald]] and Chris Ryan discuss episodes of the series. It airs on [[HBO Now]] the Monday after each sixth-season episode.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506102116/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo |archivedate=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo|title=HBO orders Game of Thrones weekly after-show from Bill Simmons |last=Snierson |first=Dan |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 4, 2016 |accessdate=April 5, 2016 |deadurl=no}}</ref> The [[Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience]], a 28-city orchestral tour which will perform the series' soundtrack with composer [[Ramin Djawadi]], is scheduled to begin February 15, 2017 in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour|title=Game of Thrones concert experience hits the road in 2017|date=August 8, 2016|accessdate=August 9, 2016|work=[[The Guardian]] |deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Successor series=== After years of speculation about possible [[Spin-off (media)|successor shows]], in May 2017 HBO commissioned five screenwriters – [[Max Borenstein]], [[Jane Goldman]], [[Brian Helgeland]], [[Carly Wray]] and a fifth writer yet to be announced – to develop individual ''Game of Thrones'' successor series. All of the writers are to be working individually with George R. R. Martin.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title='Game of Thrones': Fifth "Successor Show" in the Works at HBO, George R.R. Martin Says|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-fifth-successor-show-works-at-hbo-george-rr-martin-says-1003682|accessdate=May 15, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 14, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515142249/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-fifth-successor-show-works-at-hbo-george-rr-martin-says-1003682|archivedate=May 15, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Martin said that all the concepts under discussion are prequels, and some may be set outside Westeros. He also ruled out Robert's Rebellion (the overthrow of Daenerys's father by Robert Baratheon) as a possible idea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html|title=About Those Spinoffs...|first=George R.R.|last=Martin|date=May 14, 2017|website=Not A Blog|access-date=August 6, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814193454/http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html|archivedate=August 14, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> D. B. Weiss and David Benioff said that they would not be involved with any of the projects, and want to enjoy the successor series as fans.<ref name="finalseason"/> Martin is co-writing two of the four announced scripts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|title='Game of Thrones' Future Explained: Could All the Prequels Move Forward?|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=July 12, 2017|accessdate=July 17, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Game of Thrones}} {{Wikiquote}} {{Wikivoyage|Game of Thrones tourism}} {{portal|Television in the United States|2010s}} * {{official|www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones}} – (United States) * {{official|www.hbouk.com/game-of-thrones}} – (United Kingdom) * {{IMDb title|0944947|Game of Thrones}} * [http://viewers-guide.hbo.com ''Game of Thrones'' Viewers Guide] * [http://www.makinggameofthrones.com Making of Game of Thrones] {{Navboxes |title = Articles related to ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' |list = {{A Song of Ice and Fire}} {{George R. R. Martin}} {{Game of Thrones Episodes}} {{David Benioff}} {{HBONetwork Shows}} }} {{Navboxes |title = Awards for ''Game of Thrones'' |list = {{CriticsChoiceTVBestDramaSeries}} {{EmmyAward DramaSeries}} {{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form}} {{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form}} {{Satellite Award Best Genre Television Series}} {{Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation}} {{TCA Award for Program of the Year}} {{TCA Award for Outstanding New Program}} {{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama}} {{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}} {{ScreenActorsGuildAward StuntEnsembleTelevision}} }} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Game Of Thrones (TV Series)}} [[Category:2010s American drama television series]] [[Category:2010s American television series]] [[Category:2011 American television series debuts]] [[Category:American adventure television series]] [[Category:American drama television series]] [[Category:American fantasy television series]] [[Category:Dark fantasy television series]] [[Category:Dragons in popular culture]] [[Category:English-language television programming]] [[Category:Family saga]] [[Category:Game of Thrones| ]] [[Category:HBO network shows]] [[Category:High fantasy television series]] [[Category:Incest in television]] [[Category:Magic in television]] [[Category:Peabody Award-winning television programs]] [[Category:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series winners]] [[Category:Serial drama television series]] [[Category:Television programs based on novels]] [[Category:Television series about dysfunctional families]] [[Category:Television series with multiple main characters]] [[Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles]] [[Category:Witchcraft in television]]'
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'GAME OF THRONES IS ONE OF THE BEST FUCKING SHOWS OUT THERE. IT WAS SO MANY NUDE SCENES ITS LIKE WATCHING PORN! =={{anchor|Premise}}Background== {{main article|List of Game of Thrones episodes}} {{See also|A Song of Ice and Fire#Plot synopsis|l1=Synopsis of A Song of Ice and Fire}} [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Weapons.jpg|thumb|alt=Weapons in the series|Power and violence are central themes of ''Game of Thrones'', and the number of weapons made for the series (some of which are shown here) reflects this.]] ===Setting=== {{main article|World of A Song of Ice and Fire}} ''Game of Thrones'' is roughly based on the storylines of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'',<ref name="var">{{cite news |last=Fleming|first=Michael|title =HBO turns 'Fire' into fantasy series|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date =January 16, 2007|accessdate=March 2, 2010|url=http://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/hbo-turns-fire-into-fantasy-series-1117957532/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516224747/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957532?refCatId=14|archivedate=May 16, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Cogman|first=Bryan|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|accessdate=November 6, 2016|date=November 6, 2014|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0|page=4|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|archivedate=November 6, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the continent of Essos. The series chronicles the violent dynastic struggles among the realm's noble families for the Iron Throne, while other families fight for independence from it. It opens with additional threats in the icy North and Essos in the east.<ref name="gotfactsheet">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307150640/http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |title=From HBO |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=July 16, 2010 |publisher=Not a Blog |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |accessdate=March 14, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Showrunner]] David Benioff jokingly suggested "''[[The Sopranos]]'' in [[Middle-earth]]" as ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} [[tagline]], referring to its intrigue-filled plot and dark tone in a fantasy setting of magic and dragons.<ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503185336/http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/47040/ |archivedate=May 3, 2016 |last=Kachka |first=Boris |title=Dungeon Master: David Benioff |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=May 18, 2008 |url= http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/47040/ |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> In a 2012 study of deaths per episode, it ranked second out of 40 recent U.S. TV drama series (with an average of 14).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629182833/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911 |archivedate=June 29, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' Topped by 'Spartacus: Vengeance' as TV's Deadliest Series| url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911|accessdate=May 23, 2012|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 22, 2012| first=Michael| last=O'Connell|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Themes=== {{Main article|Themes in A Song of Ice and Fire}} The series is generally praised for what is perceived as a sort of medieval realism.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Orr |first=David |authorlink=David Orr (journalist) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all |title=Dragons Ascendant: George R. R. Martin and the Rise of Fantasy |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 12, 2011 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6FSBH1FPF?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |archivedate=March 28, 2013 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> George R.R. Martin set out to make the story feel more like historical fiction than contemporary fantasy, with less emphasis on magic and sorcery and more on battles, political intrigue, and the characters, believing that magic should be used moderately in the epic fantasy genre.<ref>{{cite web|last=Richards |first=Linda |url=http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |title=January interview: George R.R. Martin |work=[[January Magazine]] |date=January 2001 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ff9Skfe?url=http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |title=His Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: George R. R. Martin Talks ''Game of Thrones'' |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 1, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402184647/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=April 2, 2011 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="themes">{{cite book|last=Cogman|first=Bryan|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|accessdate=November 6, 2016|date=November 6, 2014|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0|page=7|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|archivedate=November 6, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Martin has stated that "the true horrors of human history derive not from orcs and Dark Lords, but from ourselves."<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> A common theme in the fantasy genre is the battle between [[good and evil]], which Martin says does not mirror the real world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gevers |first=Nick |authorlink=Nick Gevers |url=http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |title=Sunsets of High Renown – An Interview with George R. R. Martin |publisher=Infinity Plus |date=December 2000 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ffA94Sr?url=http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Just like people's capacity for good and for evil in real life, Martin explores the questions of redemption and character change.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402202912/http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/06/10/martin-talks-about-new-series-game-thrones|archivedate=April 2, 2016|url=http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/06/10/martin-talks-about-new-series-game-thrones |title=The battle between good and evil reigns – Martin talks about new series ''Game of Thrones'' |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 11, 2011 |accessdate=August 22, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The show allows the audience to view different characters from their perspective, unlike in many other fantasies, and thus the supposed villains can provide their side of the story.<ref name="themes"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Baum |first=Michele Dula |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/books/04/11/george.rr.martin/index.html |title=''A Song of Ice and Fire'' – Author George R.R. Martin's fantastic kingdoms |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 11, 2001 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66fwaYo3j?url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/books/04/11/george.rr.martin/index.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Benioff said, "George brought a measure of harsh realism to high fantasy. He introduced gray tones into a black-and-white universe."<ref name="themes"/> In early seasons, under the influence of the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' books, main characters were regularly killed off, and this was credited with developing tension among viewers.<ref name="ign 7.7">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/28/game-of-thrones-the-dragon-and-the-wolf-review |title=Game of Thrones: "The Dragon and the Wolf" Review |publisher=IGN |accessdate=August 28, 2017 |date=August 27, 2017 |author=Fowler, Matt}}</ref> Later seasons, however, critics pointed out that certain characters had developed "plot armor", attributing this to the show's deviating from the books and becoming more of a traditional television series.<ref name="ign 7.7"/> The series also reflects the substantial death rates in war.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kirschling |first=Gregory |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20161804,00.html |title=George R.R. Martin answers your questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 27, 2007 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ffAO5ka?url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20161804%2C00.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boulaziz|first=Louisa|url=http://universitas.no/nyheter/61703/game-of-thrones-is-realistic|title=Game of Thrones is realistic|work=[[Universitas (newspaper)|Universitas]]|date=September 13, 2016|accessdate=May 30, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320101232/http://universitas.no/nyheter/61703/game-of-thrones-is-realistic|archivedate=March 20, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ===Inspirations and derivations=== Although the first season closely follows the events of the first novel, later seasons have made significant changes. According to David Benioff, the show is "about adapting the series as a whole and following the map George laid out for us and hitting the major milestones, but not necessarily each of the stops along the way".<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430065802/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners |archivedate=April 30, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners |title=Game of Thrones showrunners answer burning season 5 questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdate=March 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tom Holland of ''[[The Guardian]]'' believes that the novels and their adaptations base aspects of their settings, characters, and plot on events in European history.<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629202416/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history |archivedate=June 29, 2013 |last=Holland|first=Tom|title=Game of Thrones is more brutally realistic than most historical novels|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history|accessdate=March 24, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 24, 2013|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> Most of Westeros is reminiscent of [[high medieval]] Europe, from lands and cultures,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 27, 2013 |last=Mund |first=Lucas |title=Are the Lands of Westeros Inspired by Real-Life Countries? |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/03/27/game_of_thornes_are_the_kingdoms_of_westeros_inspired_by_real_life_countries.html |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |accessdate=February 9, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211082840/http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/03/27/game_of_thornes_are_the_kingdoms_of_westeros_inspired_by_real_life_countries.html |archivedate=February 11, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> to the palace intrigue, [[Feudalism|feudal system]], castles, and knightly tournaments. A principal inspiration for the novels is the English [[Wars of the Roses]]<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722135616/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all |archivedate=July 22, 2016 |last=Orr|first=David|title=Dragons Ascendant: George R. R. Martin and the Rise of Fantasy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=March 24, 2013|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 12, 2011| quote=Martin's books are essentially the War of the Roses with magic|deadurl=no}}</ref> (1455–85) between the houses of [[House of Lancaster|Lancaster]] and [[House of York|York]], reflected in Martin's houses of [[Lannister]] and [[Characters in A Song of Ice and Fire#House Stark|Stark]]. The scheming [[Cersei Lannister]] evokes [[Isabella of France|Isabella]], the "she-wolf of France" (1295–1358);<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013" /> Isabella and her family (particularly as portrayed in [[Maurice Druon]]'s historical-novel series, ''[[The Accursed Kings]]'') were also a main inspiration for Martin.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721223613/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993 |archivedate=July 21, 2016 |last=Milne|first=Ben|title=Game of Thrones: The cult French novel that inspired George RR Martin|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993|work=[[BBC News Magazine]]| accessdate=April 6, 2014|date=April 4, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Holland further proposes that other historical antecedents of series elements include [[Hadrian's Wall]] (which becomes Martin's Wall), the legend of [[Atlantis]] (ancient [[Valyria]]), Byzantine [[Greek fire]] ("wildfire"), Icelandic [[saga]]s of the [[Viking Age]] (the [[Ironborn]]), the [[Mongol invasions and conquests|Mongol hordes]] (the [[Dothraki Sea|Dothraki]]), the [[Hundred Years' War]] (1337–1453) and the [[Italian Renaissance]] (c. 1400–1500).<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013"/> The series' popularity has been attributed, in part, to Martin's skill at fusing these elements into a seamless, credible version of [[alternate history]].<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013" /> Martin acknowledges, "I take [history] and I file off the serial numbers and I [[up to eleven|turn it up to 11]]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lipscomb|first=Suzannah|title=Game of Thrones has hacked our history|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/23/game-of-thrones-hacked-history-britains-bloody-past|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 23, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193639/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/23/game-of-thrones-hacked-history-britains-bloody-past|archivedate=August 8, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ==Cast and characters== {{main article|List of Game of Thrones characters}} [[File:Peter Dinklage by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|alt=Peter Dinklage|upright=0.7|[[Peter Dinklage]] ([[Tyrion Lannister]]) has led the principal cast since season two]] ''Game of Thrones'' has an [[ensemble cast]] estimated to be the largest on television;<ref name="hibberd1">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105005619/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/ |archivedate=January 5, 2015 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' scoop: Season 3 character list revealed – EXCLUSIVE|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/|accessdate=March 5, 2013|date=May 29, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> during its third season, 257 cast names were recorded.<ref name="Making">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306120407/http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2012/11/2/season-3-by-the-numbers.html |archivedate=March 6, 2013 |title=Season 3: by the Numbers |url=http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2012/11/2/season-3-by-the-numbers.htm |publisher=Making Game of Thrones |accessdate=November 3, 2012 |date=November 2, 2012}}</ref> In 2014, several actor contracts were renegotiated to include a seventh-season option, with raises which reportedly made them among the highest-paid performers on [[Cable television|cable TV]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813105026/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314 |archivedate=August 13, 2016 |last1=Belloni|first1=Matthew|last2=Goldberg|first2=Lesley|title='Game of Thrones' Cast Signs for Season 7 with Big Raises|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314|accessdate=October 31, 2014|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=October 30, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, it was reported that several actor contracts were again renegotiated, with five of the main cast members having increased their salary to £2 million per episode for the last two seasons, which would make them the [[List of highest paid American television stars|highest paid actors on television]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425052433/http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/795123/Game-of-Thrones-stars-to-be-paid-millions |archivedate=April 25, 2017|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/795123/Game-of-Thrones-stars-to-be-paid-millions|title=Game Of Thrones season 7: Stars set to earn £2 Million per episode|work=[[Daily Express]]|last=Parker|first=Mike|date=April 25, 2017|accessdate=April 25, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-actors-salary-net-worth-pay-million-hbo-per-episode-a7700506.html|title=Game of Thrones season 7: Actors 'set to earn £2million per episode', making them highest-paid ever|work=[[The Independent]]|last=Hooton|first=Christopher|date=April 25, 2017|accessdate=April 25, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425052433/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-actors-salary-net-worth-pay-million-hbo-per-episode-a7700506.html|archivedate=April 25, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The main cast is listed below.<ref>{{cite press |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027172331/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=101453 |archivedate=October 27, 2014 |title=More Details on the Return of ''Game of Thrones''|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=101453|publisher=[[HBO]] (via ComingSoon.net)|accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Lord [[Ned Stark|Eddard "Ned" Stark]] ([[Sean Bean]]) is the head of House Stark, whose members are involved in plot lines throughout most of the series. He and his wife, [[Catelyn Tully]] ([[Michelle Fairley]]), have five children: [[Robb Stark|Robb]] ([[Richard Madden]]), the eldest, followed by [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] ([[Sophie Turner]]), [[Arya Stark|Arya]] ([[Maisie Williams]]), [[Bran Stark|Bran]] ([[Isaac Hempstead-Wright]]) and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]] ([[Art Parkinson]]), the youngest. Ned's [[Legitimacy (family law)|illegitimate]] son [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]] ([[Kit Harington]]) and his friend, [[Samwell Tarly]] ([[John Bradley-West|John Bradley]]), serve in the [[Night's Watch]] under Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] ([[James Cosmo]]). The Wildlings living north of the Wall include young [[Gilly (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Gilly]] ([[Hannah Murray]]), and warriors [[Tormund Giantsbane]] ([[Kristofer Hivju]]) and [[Ygritte]] ([[Rose Leslie]]).<ref name="hbo cast">{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew#/ |title=Game of Thrones: Cast |publisher=[[HBO]] |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew#/ |archivedate=September 1, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Others associated with House Stark include Ned's ward [[Theon Greyjoy]] ([[Alfie Allen]]), his [[vassal]] [[Roose Bolton]] ([[Michael McElhatton]]), and Bolton's bastard son, [[Ramsay Snow]] ([[Iwan Rheon]]). Robb falls in love with the healer [[Talisa Maegyr]] ([[Oona Chaplin]]), and Arya befriends blacksmith's apprentice [[Gendry]] ([[Joe Dempsie]]) and assassin [[Jaqen H'ghar]] ([[Tom Wlaschiha]]). The tall warrior [[Brienne of Tarth]] ([[Gwendoline Christie]]) serves Catelyn and, later, Sansa.<ref name="hbo cast"/> In King's Landing, the capital, Ned's friend King [[Robert Baratheon]] ([[Mark Addy]]) shares a loveless marriage with [[Cersei Lannister]] ([[Lena Headey]]) – who has taken her twin brother, the Kingslayer Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]<!-- Yes, it's spelled with an 'E'. It's Ser, not Sir --> ([[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]]), as her lover. She loathes her younger brother, the dwarf [[Tyrion Lannister]] ([[Peter Dinklage]]), who is attended by his mistress [[Shae (character)|Shae]] ([[Sibel Kekilli]]) and the [[mercenary]], or 'sellsword', [[Bronn (character)|Bronn]] ([[Jerome Flynn]]). Cersei's father is Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] ([[Charles Dance]]). Cersei also has two young sons<!--Do not list Myrcella here, this section is for main characters - the actress Nell Tiger Free was only ever recurring-->: [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] ([[Jack Gleeson]]) and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] ([[Dean-Charles Chapman]])<!--Do not list Myrcella here, this section is for main characters - the actress Nell Tiger Free was only ever recurring-->. Joffrey is guarded by the scar-faced warrior, [[Sandor Clegane|Sandor "the Hound" Clegane]] ([[Rory McCann]]).<ref name="hbo cast"/> The king's Small Council of advisors includes crafty Master of Coin Lord [[Petyr Baelish|Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish]] ([[Aidan Gillen]]) and [[eunuch]] spymaster Lord [[Varys]] ([[Conleth Hill]]). Robert's brother, [[Stannis Baratheon]] ([[Stephen Dillane]]), is advised by foreign priestess [[Melisandre]] ([[Carice van Houten]]) and former smuggler Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] ([[Liam Cunningham]]). The wealthy Tyrell family is primarily represented at court by [[Margaery Tyrell]] ([[Natalie Dormer]]). [[The High Sparrow]] ([[Jonathan Pryce]]) is the capital's principal religious leader. In the southern principality of Dorne, [[Ellaria Sand]] ([[Indira Varma]]) seeks vengeance against the Lannisters.<ref name="hbo cast"/> Across the Narrow Sea, siblings [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] ([[Harry Lloyd]]) and [[Daenerys Targaryen]] ([[Emilia Clarke]]) – the exiled children of the last king of the original ruling dynasty, who was overthrown by Robert Baratheon – are running for their lives and trying to win back the throne. Daenerys has been married to [[Khal Drogo]] ([[Jason Momoa]]), the leader of the nomadic Dothraki. Her retinue includes exiled knight Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] ([[Iain Glen]]), her aide [[Missandei]] ([[Nathalie Emmanuel]]) and the sellsword [[Daario Naharis]] ([[Michiel Huisman]]).<ref name="hbo cast"/> ==Production== ===Conception and development=== [[File:D. B. Weiss and David Benioff.jpg|thumb|alt=D. B. Weiss and David Benioff|Showrunners D. B. Weiss and David Benioff created the series, wrote most of its episodes and directed several.]] In January 2006, David Benioff had a phone conversation with George R. R. Martin's literary agent about the books he represented, and became interested in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' as he had been a fan of fantasy fiction when young but had not read the books before. The literary agent then sent the first four books of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' to Benioff.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&lpg=PT15#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|first=Bryan|last=Cogman|publisher=Gollancz|date=November 6, 2014|asin=B00P187U0Y|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219212618/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&lpg=PT15#v=onepage&q&f=false|archivedate=December 19, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Benioff read a few hundred pages of the first novel, ''A Game of Thrones'', shared his enthusiasm with D. B. Weiss and suggested that they adapt Martin's novels into a television series; Weiss finished the first novel in "maybe 36 hours".<ref>{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Elvis|title=UpClose: Game of Thrones with David Benioff and D. B. Weiss (Full Length)|url=https://soundcloud.com/kcrw/upclose-game-of-thrones-with|accessdate=May 15, 2013|publisher=[[KCRW]]|date=May 8, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019093107/https://soundcloud.com/kcrw/upclose-game-of-thrones-with|archivedate=October 19, 2013|df=mdy-all}} At about 2:50.</ref> They [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitched]] the series to HBO after a five-hour meeting with Martin (a veteran screenwriter) in a restaurant on [[Santa Monica Boulevard]]. According to Benioff, they won Martin over with their answer to his question, "[[Jon Snow (character)#Parentage|Who is Jon Snow's mother?]]"<ref name="variety 2"/> {{quote box |width=30em |bgcolor=White |align=left |quote=I had worked in Hollywood myself for about 10 years, from the late '80s to the '90s. I'd been on the staff of ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'' and ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1987 TV series)|Beauty and the Beast]]''. All of my first drafts tended to be too big or too expensive. I always hated the process of having to cut. I said, 'I'm sick of this, I'm going to write something that's as big as I want it to be, and it's going to have a cast of characters that go into the thousands, and I'm going to have huge castles, and battles, and dragons.|source=—George R. R. Martin, author<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011"/>}} Before being approached by Benioff and Weiss, Martin had had other meetings with other scriptwriters, most of them wanting to turn it into a feature film. Martin however deemed it "unfilmable" and impossible to be done as a feature film, stating that the size of one of his novels is as long as ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', which had been adapted as three feature films.<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011"/> Similarly, Benioff also said that it would be impossible to turn the novels into a feature film as the scale of the novels is too big for a feature film and dozens of characters would have to be discarded. Benioff added, "a fantasy movie of this scope, financed by a major studio, would almost certainly need a PG-13 rating. That means no sex, no blood, no profanity. Fuck that."<ref name="themes"/> Martin himself was pleased with the suggestion that they adapt it as an HBO series, saying that he "never imagined it anywhere else".<ref name="long_story_short">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725153103/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/video/long-story-short |archivedate=July 25, 2016|url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/video/long-story-short|title=HBO's 'Game of Thrones': Long Story Short |publisher=[[HBO]]|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> "I knew it couldn't be done as a network television series. It's too adult. The level of sex and violence would never have gone through."<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412142746/http://ew.com/article/2011/04/04/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-r-r-martin/|archivedate=April 12, 2017|url=http://ew.com/article/2011/04/04/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-r-r-martin/|title='Game of Thrones': George R. R. Martin talks HBO show|date=April 4, 2011|first=Jennifer|last=Armstrong|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> The series began development in January 2007.<ref name="var"/> HBO acquired the TV rights to the novels, with Benioff and Weiss as its executive producers, and Martin as a co-executive producer. The intention was for each novel to yield a season's worth of episodes.<ref name="var"/> Initially, Martin would write one episode per season while Benioff and Weiss would write the rest of the episodes.<ref name="var"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918180445/http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/32275-hello-from-benioff-and-weiss/page__st__40__p__1593863 |archivedate=September 18, 2013 |last=Benioff |first=David |author2=D. Weiss |title=Hello from Benioff and Weiss |work= A Song of Ice and Fire |publisher=Westeros |date=November 19, 2008 |url= http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/32275-hello-from-benioff-and-weiss/page__st__40__p__1593863|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Jane Espenson]] and Bryan Cogman were later added to write one episode apiece the first season.<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> The first and second drafts of the [[pilot episode|pilot]] script by Benioff and Weiss were submitted in August 2007<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030137/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Hudson |first=Laura |title=Talking with George R. R. Martin Part 2 |work=[[Publishers Weekly]] |date=August 14, 2007 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and June 2008,<ref name="NOB">{{cite web |title=Ice & Fire on HBO |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=June 13, 2008 |publisher=Not a Blog |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/2008/06/13/ |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120701004154/http://grrm.livejournal.com/2008/06/13/ |archivedate=July 1, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> respectively. Although HBO liked both drafts,<ref name="NOB"/><ref name="ewq&a">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017021658/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20161804%2C00.html |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |last=Kirschling |first=Gregory |title=George R.R. Martin answers your questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 27, 2007 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20161804,00.html |accessdate=March 13, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> a pilot was not ordered until November 2008;<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023128/http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |archivedate=October 16, 2014 |title=HBO orders fantasy pilot ''Thrones'' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Jame |last=Hibberd |date=November 11, 2008 |url=http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |accessdate=June 5, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] may have delayed the process.<ref name="ewq&a"/> The pilot episode, "[[Winter Is Coming]]", was first shot in 2009; after a poor reception in a private viewing, HBO demanded an extensive re-shoot (about 90 percent of the episode, with cast and directorial changes).<ref name="variety 2">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825210144/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-ending-season-5-producers-interview-1201469516/ |archivedate=August 25, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-ending-season-5-producers-interview-1201469516/ |title='Game of Thrones' Creators: We Know How It's Going to End |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 15, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20160615202502/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/game-of-thrones-original-pilot-bad |archivedate=June 15, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/game-of-thrones-original-pilot-bad |title=Game of Thrones Show-Runners Get Extremely Candid About Their Original "Piece of Sh—t" Pilot |date=February 3, 2016 |first= Joanna |last=Robinson |work= [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> The pilot reportedly cost HBO $5–10 million to produce,<ref>{{cite news| last=Hibberd |first=James |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' dailies 'look fantastic' |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-fantastic-52924 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120602120504/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-fantastic-52924 |archivedate=June 2, 2012 |date=January 14, 2010 |accessdate=July 24, 2010}}</ref> while the first season's budget was estimated at $50–60 million.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-by-numbers-178659 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-by-numbers-178659|title='Game of Thrones' by The Numbers|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=April 14, 2011|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=April 14, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the second season, the show received a 15-percent budget increase for the climactic battle in "[[Blackwater (Game of Thrones)|Blackwater]]" (which had an $8 million budget).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2014/04/07/game_of_thrones_hbo_season_2_s_blackwater_cost_8_million.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2014/04/07/game_of_thrones_hbo_season_2_s_blackwater_cost_8_million.html|title=How HBO Let Game of Thrones Make an $8 Million Episode|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|first=Frank|last=Pallotta|date=April 7, 2012|accessdate=March 14, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101132101/http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/ |archivedate=January 1, 2015 |title=This Week's Cover: 'Game of Thrones,' the battle to make season 2 epic|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/|accessdate=March 18, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 14, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Between 2012 and 2015, the average budget per episode increased from $6 million<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.eonline.com/news/318306/holy-flaming-warships-how-expensive-is-game-of-thrones-anyway |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/318306/holy-flaming-warships-how-expensive-is-game-of-thrones-anyway|title=Holy Flaming Warships! How Expensive Is Game of Thrones, Anyway?|publisher=[[E!]]|first=Leslie|last=Gornstein|date=May 28, 2012|accessdate=March 14, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> to "at least" $8 million.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602111711/http://www.ew.com/microsites/longform/got/ |archivedate=June 2, 2016 |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title='Game of Thrones': EW spends 240 hours in Westeros |url=http://www.ew.com/microsites/longform/got/ |accessdate=April 1, 2015 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 2015 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> The sixth-season budget was over $10 million per episode, for a season total of over $100 million and a series record.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402013700/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/game-of-thrones/news/a788677/game-of-thrones-season-6-costs-a-lot-per-episode-budget-revealed/ |archivedate=April 2, 2016 |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/game-of-thrones/news/a788677/game-of-thrones-season-6-costs-a-lot-per-episode-budget-revealed/ |title=Game of Thrones season 6 costs A LOT per episode: The HBO fantasy epic's massive budget is revealed |first=Ben |last=Lee |date=March 30, 2016 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]] |accessdate=April 1, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ===Casting=== [[Nina Gold]] and Robert Sterne are the series' primary casting directors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-casting-director-nina-gold-bafta-award-1201733675/ |title='Game of Thrones' Casting Director Nina Gold to Receive BAFTA Award |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=April 15, 2016 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808020522/http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-casting-director-nina-gold-bafta-award-1201733675/ |archivedate=August 8, 2016 |accessdate=March 18, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> Through a process of auditions and readings, the main cast was assembled. The only exceptions were [[Peter Dinklage]] and [[Sean Bean]], whom the writers wanted from the start; they were announced as joining the [[Winter is Coming|pilot]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news| title = Two will play HBO's 'Game' | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date = May 5, 2009 |last=Andreeva|first=Nellie| url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30b29365238b3652e08e2efdc7f0af62 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509074111/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30b29365238b3652e08e2efdc7f0af62 |archivedate=May 9, 2009|accessdate=May 12, 2009}}</ref><ref name="reuters5cast">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106205031/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/20/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 |archivedate=November 6, 2015 |author1=Kit, Borys |author2=Andreeva, Nellie | title = Sean Bean ascends to "Game of Thrones" |agency=Reuters | date =July 19, 2009 | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/20/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 | accessdate =July 20, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> Other actors signed for the pilot were [[Kit Harington]] as [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]], [[Jack Gleeson]] as [[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Harry Lloyd]] as [[Viserys Targaryen]] and [[Mark Addy]] as [[Robert Baratheon]].<ref name="reuters5cast"/><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=A Casting We Will Go |work=Not A Blog |publisher=LiveJournal |date=July 19, 2009 |accessdate=July 20, 2009 |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/95840.html |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Addy was, according to showrunners Benioff and Weiss, the easiest actor to cast for the show, being that his audition was on point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nerdist.com/what-we-learned-from-game-of-thrones-sxsw-panel-and-what-it-might-mean/|title=What We Learned From Game Of Thrones' SXSW Panel, and What It Might Mean|publisher=[[Nerdist Industries]]|first=Michael|last=Walsh|date=March 12, 2017|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402080955/http://nerdist.com/what-we-learned-from-game-of-thrones-sxsw-panel-and-what-it-might-mean/|archivedate=April 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Catelyn Stark]] was scheduled to be played by [[Jennifer Ehle]], but the role was recast with [[Michelle Fairley]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 | last = Sepinwall | first = Alan | title = 'Game of Thrones' recasting: Ehle out, Fairley in | publisher=[[HitFix]] | date = March 19, 2010 | url = http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |accessdate=February 24, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Daenerys Targaryen]] was also recast, with [[Emilia Clarke]] replacing [[Tamzin Merchant]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803070636/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 3, 2016 | last =Ryan | first =Maureen | title = Exclusive: 'Game of Thrones' recasts noble role |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date =May 21, 2010 |accessdate=February 24, 2013| url = http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/153995.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |title=A New Daenerys |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=May 21, 2010 |work=Not A Blog |publisher=LiveJournal |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/153995.html |accessdate=February 24, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The rest of the first season's cast was filled in the second half of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 17, 2016 |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |title=The 'Games' afoot: HBO's 'Game of Thrones' gears up |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |date=October 13, 2009 |accessdate=August 29, 2016 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although many of the first-season cast were set to return, the producers had a large number of new characters to cast for the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]]. Due to this, Benioff and Weiss postponed the introduction of several key characters and merged several characters into one or assigned plot functions to different characters.<ref name="hibberd1"/> ===Writing=== [[File:George R.R. Martin at Archipelacon.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=George R. R. Martin|George R. R. Martin, author of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', is a series co-[[executive producer]] and wrote one episode for each of the first four seasons.]] ''Game of Thrones'' used seven writers in six seasons. Series creators [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]], the showrunners, write most of the episodes each season.<ref name="observer">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903222758/http://observer.com/2015/04/blood-caffeine-sex-magic-how-game-of-thrones-gets-written/ |archivedate=September 3, 2016 |url=http://observer.com/2015/04/blood-caffeine-sex-magic-how-game-of-thrones-gets-written/ |title=Blood Caffeine Sex Magic: How 'Game of Thrones' Gets Written |work=[[New York Observer]] |first=Sean T. |last=Collins |date=April 2, 2015 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' author [[George R. R. Martin]] wrote one episode in each of the first four seasons. Martin did not write an episode for the later seasons, since he wanted to focus on completing the sixth novel (''[[The Winds of Winter]]'').<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/30/george-rr-martin-not-writing-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/30/george-rr-martin-not-writing-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode |title=George R. R. Martin Not Writing Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode |publisher=[[IGN]] |first=Luke |last=Karmali |date=March 30, 2015 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Jane Espenson]] co-wrote one first-season episode as a [[freelance writer]].<ref name="espenson">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |title=HBO's 'Game of Thrones': The 'Buffy' and 'Battlestar' connection |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |first=Maureen |last=Ryan |date=March 16, 2010 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Bryan Cogman]], initially a script coordinator for the series,<ref name="espenson"/> was promoted to producer for the fifth season. Cogman, who wrote at least one episode for the first five seasons, is the only other writer in the writers' room with Benioff and Weiss. Before his promotion, [[Vanessa Taylor]] (a writer during the second and third seasons) worked closely with Benioff and Weiss. [[Dave Hill (screenwriter)|Dave Hill]] joined the writing staff for the fifth season after working as an assistant to Benioff and Weiss.<ref name="vanity fair">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101102954/http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |archivedate=January 1, 2015 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |title=The Surprising Connection Between ''Game of Thrones'' and ''Monty Python'' |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=March 24, 2014 |accessdate=September 7, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although Martin is not in the writers' room, he reads the script outlines and makes comments.<ref name="observer"/> Benioff and Weiss sometimes assign characters to particular writers; for example, Cogman was assigned to Arya Stark for the fourth season. The writers spend several weeks writing a character outline, including what material from the novels to use and the overarching themes. After these individual outlines are complete, they spend another two to three weeks discussing each main character's individual arc and arranging them episode by episode.<ref name="observer"/> A detailed outline is created, with each of the writers working on a portion to create a script for each episode. Cogman, who wrote two episodes for the fifth season, took a month and a half to complete both scripts. They are then read by Benioff and Weiss, who make notes, and parts of the script are rewritten. All ten episodes are written before filming begins, since they are filmed out of order with two [[film crew|units]] in different countries.<ref name="observer"/> Benioff and Weiss write each of their episodes together, with one of them writing the first half of the script and the other the second half. After that they begin with passing the drafts back and forth to make notes and rewrite parts of it.<ref name="long_story_short"/> ===Adaptation schedule=== Benioff and Weiss originally intended to adapt the entire, still-incomplete ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of novels for television.{{citation needed|reason=This was originally written in the present simple, with no date. The source cited in the following sentence does not support either this version or the more probable "originally intended" version I just changed it to.|date=August 2017}} After ''Game of Thrones'' began outpacing the published novels in the sixth season, the series was based on a plot outline of the future novels provided by Martin<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621094105/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books |archivedate=June 21, 2016 |last=Robinson|first=Joanna|title=Game of Thrones Creators Confirm the Show Will Spoil the Books|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books|accessdate=March 23, 2015|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=March 22, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and original content. In April 2016, the showrunners' plan was to shoot 13 more episodes after the sixth season: seven episodes in the seventh season and six episodes in the eighth.<ref name="seasons 7 and 8">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |title='Game of Thrones' Creators Mull Shorter Final Seasons (EXCLUSIVE) |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 14, 2016 |accessdate=April 28, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Later that month, the series was renewed for a seventh season with a seven-episode order.<ref name="HBO confirms">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7|title=Game of Thrones: HBO announces summer return, 7 episodes|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=July 18, 2016|accessdate=July 18, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="s7 renewed">{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/ |title='Game of Thrones' Picked Up For Season 7, 'Veep' & 'Silicon Valley' Also Renewed By HBO|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=April 21, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826043921/http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/|archivedate=August 26, 2016 |work=Deadline|accessdate=April 21, 2016|deadurl=no|df=}}</ref> {{As of|2017}}, seven seasons have been ordered and filmed, adapting the novels at a rate of about 48 seconds per page for the first three seasons.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610070743/http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/apr/06/game-of-thrones-how-does-the-tv-series-compare-to-the-books|archivedate=June 10, 2016|last=Scott|first=Patrick|title=Game of Thrones: how does the TV series compare to the books?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/apr/06/game-of-thrones-how-does-the-tv-series-compare-to-the-books|accessdate=April 6, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 6, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="width:8%" | Season ! style="width:10%" | Ordered ! style="width:15%" | Filming ! style="width:11%" | First aired ! style="width:11%" | Last aired ! Novel(s) adapted ! Refs |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|Season 1]] | March 2, 2010 | Second half of 2010 | April 17, 2011 | June 19, 2011 | ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title=HBO picks up 'Game of Thrones'; first picture, cast list|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html|accessdate=May 15, 2012|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 2, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|Season 2]] | April 19, 2011 | Second half of 2011 | April 1, 2012 | June 3, 2012 | ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' and some early chapters from ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Hibberd|first=James|title=HBO renews 'Game of Thrones' for second season!|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=April 19, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://io9.gizmodo.com/5915744/10-best-changes-game-of-thrones-made-to-a-clash-of-kings |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/5915744/10-best-changes-game-of-thrones-made-to-a-clash-of-kings |title=10 Best Changes ''Game of Thrones'' Made to ''A Clash of Kings'' |publisher=[[Gizmodo]] |first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders |date=June 5, 2012 |accessdate=January 3, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|Season 3]] | April 10, 2012 | July – November 2012 | March 31, 2013 | June 9, 2013 | About the first two-thirds of ''A Storm of Swords'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title='Game of Thrones' Renewed for Season 3|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=April 10, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners on season 2, splitting Book 3 and their hope for a 70-hour epic|page=3|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2|accessdate=April 10, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630212435/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_4_writer_bryan_cogman_on_tyrions_trial_book_deviations_and_that_white_walker-2014-05 |archivedate=June 30, 2015|url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_4_writer_bryan_cogman_on_tyrions_trial_book_deviations_and_that_white_walker-2014-05 |title='Game of Thrones' Season 4: Writer Bryan Cogman breaks down Tyrion's trial, book deviations and that White Walker scene |work=[[Zap2it]] |first=Terri |last=Schwartz |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=May 17, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|Season 4]] | April 2, 2013 | July – November 2013 | April 6, 2014 | June 15, 2014 | The remaining one-third of ''A Storm of Swords'' and some elements from ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' and ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009040900/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/ |archivedate=October 9, 2014 |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title='Game of Thrones' renewed for season 4|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=April 2, 2013|accessdate=April 2, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|title=What Will Happen in Season 4 of ''Game of Thrones''?|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html|accessdate=February 7, 2014|work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=June 11, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|Season 5]] |rowspan="2"|April 8, 2014 | July – December 2014 | April 12, 2015 | June 14, 2015 | ''A Feast for Crows'', ''A Dance with Dragons'' and original content, with some late chapters from ''A Storm of Swords'' and elements from ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' | align="center"| <ref name="Season 5 & 6">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6|title=Game of Thrones Renewed for Season 5 and Season 6|last=Goldman|first=Eric|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=April 8, 2014|accessdate=April 8, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Game of Thrones Season 5: Inside the Episode #9 (HBO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |access-date=June 9, 2015 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=June 7, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608054353/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |archivedate=June 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112065324/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/18/game-of-thrones-season-5/ |archivedate=January 12, 2015 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners talk season 5: 'There will be Dorne'|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/18/game-of-thrones-season-5/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=June 18, 2014|accessdate=June 18, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415115215/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/12/why-season-5-of-game-of-thrones-is-the-most-important-yet-for-hbo/ |archivedate=April 15, 2015 |last=Kain |first=Erik |title=Why Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' Is The Most Important Yet For HBO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/12/why-season-5-of-game-of-thrones-is-the-most-important-yet-for-hbo/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 12, 2015 |accessdate=April 13, 2015 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones Episodes: EP510: Mother's Mercy|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy|publisher=Westeros.org|accessdate=June 18, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617184145/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy|archivedate=June 17, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 6)|Season 6]] | July – December 2015 | April 24, 2016 | June 26, 2016 | Original content and outline from ''The Winds of Winter'', with some late elements from ''A Feast for Crows'' and ''A Dance with Dragons''<!-- Doesn't the death of Balon come from ASOS? Is this one element significant enough to note? --> | align="center"| <ref name="Season 5 & 6"/><ref name=writing>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403094457/http://www.goldderby.com/news/10007/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-season-six-tease-emmys-entertainment-13579086-story.html |archivedate=April 3, 2016 |url=http://www.goldderby.com/news/10007/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-season-six-tease-emmys-entertainment-13579086-story.html|title='Game of Thrones' director Jeremy Podeswa dishes Jon Snow death, teases season six (Exclusive Video)|publisher=GoldDerby|last=Noble|first=Matt|date=August 18, 2015|accessdate=August 21, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><br><ref name=EW516>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones|title=George R. R. Martin revealed 3 huge shocks to Game of Thrones producers|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=James|last=Hibberd|date=May 24, 2016|accessdate=May 24, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/game-of-thrones-has-not-gone-off-book.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/game-of-thrones-has-not-gone-off-book.html|title=Why It's a Misconception That Game of Thrones Has Gone 'Off-Book'|publisher=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|first=Jennifer|last=Vineyard|date=May 5, 2016|accessdate=May 24, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 7)|Season 7]] | April 21, 2016 | August 2016 – February 2017 | July 16, 2017 | August 27, 2017 | Original content and outline from ''The Winds of Winter'' and ''[[A Dream of Spring]]'' | align="center"|<ref name="seasons 7 and 8" /><ref name="HBO confirms" /><br><ref name="s7 renewed" /><ref name="EW516"/><ref name="FutonCritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/game-of-thrones/listings/|title=Shows A-Z - game of thrones on hbo|work=[[The Futon Critic]]|accessdate=April 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816112050/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-episode-6-leaks-online-full-hbo-spain-torrents-download-reddit-watch-jon-a7895636.html|archivedate=August 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |} The first two seasons adapted one novel each. For the later seasons, its creators see ''Game of Thrones'' as an adaptation of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' as a whole rather than the individual novels;<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-game-of-thrones-insider-bryan-cogman-on-the-biggest-season-yet-20130320?print=true |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Collins|first=Sean T.|title=Q&A: 'Game of Thrones' Insider Bryan Cogman on the Biggest Season Yet|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-game-of-thrones-insider-bryan-cogman-on-the-biggest-season-yet-20130320?print=true|accessdate=March 24, 2013|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=March 20, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> this enables them to move events across novels, according to screen-adaptation requirements.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516052225/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2/2/ |archivedate=May 16, 2016 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners on season 2, splitting Book 3 and their hope for a 70-hour epic|page=2|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2/2/|accessdate=April 10, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Filming=== [[File:Malta191.jpg|thumbnail|alt=The Azure Window at Ras-id-Dwerja|The [[Azure Window]] at Ras-id-Dwerja, on Gozo, was the site of the Dothraki wedding in season one.]] Principal photography for the first season was scheduled to begin on July 26, 2010,<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> and the primary location was the [[The Paint Hall|Paint Hall Studios]] in [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite press release |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430032117/http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-210409-hbo-to-film.htm |archivedate=April 30, 2016 |title= HBO to film TV pilot in Belfast, Northern Ireland |publisher=Northern Ireland Executive |date= April 21, 2009 |url=http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-210409-hbo-to-film.htm |accessdate=March 13, 2013}}</ref> Exterior scenes in Northern Ireland were filmed at Sandy Brae in the [[Mourne Mountains]] (standing in for Vaes Dothrak), [[Castle Ward]] (Winterfell), Saintfield Estates (the Winterfell godswood), [[Tollymore Forest]] (outdoor scenes), [[Cairncastle]] (the execution site), the [[Magheramorne]] quarry (Castle Black) and [[Shane's Castle]] (the tourney grounds).<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012">{{cite news |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120401123724/http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2012-04-01/Where-the-HBO-hit-Game-of-Thrones-was-filmed/53876876/1 |archivedate=April 1, 2012|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2012-04-01/Where-the-HBO-hit-Game-of-Thrones-was-filmed/53876876/1 |title=Where HBO's hit 'Game of Thrones' was filmed |work=[[USA Today]] |first=Josh |last=Roberts |date=April 1, 2012 |accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref> [[Doune Castle]] in [[Stirling]], Scotland, was also used in the original pilot episode for scenes at Winterfell.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811101337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8322843.stm |archivedate=August 11, 2016 |title=Medieval keep becomes film set|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8322843.stm|accessdate=April 11, 2012|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=October 23, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> The producers initially considered filming the whole series in Scotland, but decided on Northern Ireland because of the availability of studio space.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529084634/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scotland-mourning-the-loss-of-epic-160m-tv-opportunity.21352049 |archivedate=May 29, 2015 |last=Miller|first=Phil|title=Beaten in Game of Thrones: why Scotland lost £160m chance to host TV series|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scotland-mourning-the-loss-of-epic-160m-tv-opportunity.21352049|accessdate=June 17, 2013|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=June 17, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The first season's southern scenes were filmed in Malta, a change in location from the pilot episode's Moroccan sets.<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> The city of [[Mdina]] was used for King's Landing. Filming was also done at [[Fort Manoel]] (representing the Sept of Baelor), at the [[Azure Window]] on the island of [[Gozo]] (the Dothraki wedding site) and at [[San Anton Palace]], [[Fort Ricasoli]], [[Fort St Angelo]] and St. Dominic monastery (all used for scenes in the Red Keep).<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012" /> [[File:Dubrovnik crop.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The walled city of Dubrovnik|The walled city of Dubrovnik became King's Landing in season two.]] Filming of the second season's southern scenes shifted from Malta to Croatia, where the city of [[Dubrovnik]] and nearby locations allowed exterior shots of a walled, coastal medieval city. The [[Walls of Dubrovnik]] and [[Fort Lovrijenac]] were used for scenes in King's Landing and the Red Keep. The island of [[Lokrum]], the St. Dominic monastery in the coastal town of [[Trogir]], the [[Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik|Rector's Palace]] in Dubrovnik, and the Dubac quarry (a few kilometers east) were used for scenes set in Qarth. Scenes set north of the Wall, in the Frostfangs and at the Fist of the First Men, were filmed in November 2011 in Iceland: on the [[Vatnajökull]] glacier near Smyrlabjörg, the Svínafellsjökull glacier near [[Skaftafell]] and the [[Mýrdalsjökull]] glacier near [[Vík í Mýrdal|Vik]] on Höfðabrekkuheiði.<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012" /><ref name="location iceland">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826083416/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/game-of-thrones-iceland-tour-filming-locations/ |archivedate=August 26, 2016 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/game-of-thrones-iceland-tour-filming-locations/ |title=Iceland's most spectacular Game of Thrones filming locations |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first= Oliver|last= Smith |date=June 7, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Third-season production returned to Dubrovnik, with the Walls of Dubrovnik, Fort Lovrijenac and nearby locations again used for scenes in King's Landing and the Red Keep. [[Trsteno Arboretum]], a new location, is the garden of the Tyrells in King's Landing. The third season also returned to Morocco (including the city of [[Essaouira]]) to film Daenerys' scenes in Essos.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617031757/http://www.salon.com/2014/04/29/the_7_kingdoms_in_game_of_thrones_are_actually_these_5_real_world_places_partner/ |archivedate=June 17, 2016 |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/04/29/the_7_kingdoms_in_game_of_thrones_are_actually_these_5_real_world_places_partner/ |title=The 7 kingdoms in 'Game of Thrones' are actually these 5 real-world places |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |first=Jessica |last=Phelan |date=April 29, 2014 |accessdate=August 23, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Dimmuborgir]] and the [[Grjótagjá]] cave in Iceland were used as well.<ref name="location iceland"/> One scene, with [[Bart the Bear 2|a live bear]], was filmed in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016062544/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/01/game-of-thrones-casts-a-bear-and-shoots-in-los-angeles-for-major-season-3-scene.html |archivedate=October 16, 2013 |title='Game of Thrones' casts a bear and shoots in Los Angeles for major Season 3 scene |last=Schwartz |first=Terri |date=January 28, 2013 |publisher=[[Zap2it]] |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/01/game-of-thrones-casts-a-bear-and-shoots-in-los-angeles-for-major-season-3-scene.html |accessdate=March 8, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> The production used three units (Dragon, Wolf and Raven) filming in parallel, six directing teams, 257 cast members and 703 crew members.<ref name="Making" /> [[File:Ballintoy Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 19750.jpg|thumb|alt=Ballintoy Harbour|[[Ballintoy Harbour]] was Lordsport on the Iron Islands.]] The fourth season returned to Dubrovnik and included new locations, including [[Diocletian's Palace]] in [[Split, Croatia|Split]], [[Klis Fortress]] north of Split, Perun quarry east of Split, the [[Mosor]] mountain range, and [[Baška Voda]] further south.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224065003/http://winteriscoming.net/2013/09/new-set-photos-from-klis-and-dubrovnik/ |archivedate=December 24, 2013 |url=http://winteriscoming.net/2013/09/new-set-photos-from-klis-and-dubrovnik/|title=New set photos from Klis and Dubrovnik|publisher=WinterIsComing.net |date=September 18, 2013 |accessdate=September 19, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Thingvellir National Park]] in Iceland was used for the fight between Brienne and the Hound.<ref name="location iceland"/> Filming took 136 days and ended on November 21, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222200023/http://winteriscoming.net/2013/11/thats-a-wrap-season-4-filming-is-complete/ |archivedate=February 22, 2014 |url=http://winteriscoming.net/2013/11/thats-a-wrap-season-4-filming-is-complete/ |title=That's a wrap! Season 4 filming is complete |publisher=WinterIsComing.net |date=November 21, 2013 |accessdate=November 26, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The fifth season added [[Seville]], Spain, used for scenes of [[Dorne]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103546/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Burgen|first=Stephen|title=Game of Thrones fifth series: more than 10,000 Spaniards apply to be extras|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain|date=July 6, 2014|accessdate=July 26, 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> The sixth season, which began filming in July 2015, returned to Spain and filmed in [[Girona]] and [[Peniscola]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530024956/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |archivedate=May 30, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |title=''Game of Thrones'' returning to Spain for season 6 |work=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 3, 2015 |accessdate=June 3, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Filming also returned to [[Dubrovnik]], [[Croatia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/611134/Game-of-Thrones-season-6-Lena-Headey-HBO-Cersei-Lannister-Croatia-Dubrovnik |title=Game of Thrones season 6: Lena Headey spotted filming in Croatia |work=The Daily Express |first=Neela |last=Debnath |date=October 9, 2015 |accessdate=July 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Filming of the seven episodes of season 7 began on August 31, 2016, at Titanic Studios in Belfast, with other filming in Iceland, Northern Ireland and many locations in Spain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Oliver |date=September 23, 2016 |title=The incredible locations that will star in Game of Thrones season 7 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/arts-and-culture/filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-seven/ |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=January 1, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082411/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/arts-and-culture/filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-seven/ |archivedate=January 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Spain filming locations included [[Seville]], [[Cáceres, Spain|Cáceres]], [[Almodovar del Rio]], [[Santiponce]], [[Zumaia]] and [[Bermeo]].<ref>{{cite press |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/game-of-thrones-s7-production-9c12d317565d#.92n7dmdmz |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/game-of-thrones-s7-production-9c12d317565d#.92n7dmdmz|title=EMMY®- AND GOLDEN GLOBE-WINNING HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES TO BEGIN PRODUCTION ON SEASON SEVEN THIS SUMMER|publisher=[[HBO]]|date=July 18, 2016|accessdate=August 31, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The series also filmed in [[Dubrovnik]], which is used for location of King's Landing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/1631-photo-video-exclusive-game-of-thrones-is-back-in-dubrovnik |title=EXCLUSIVE – Game of Thrones is back in Dubrovnik |work=The Dubrovnik Times |date=December 14, 2016 |accessdate=July 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702082729/http://thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/1631-photo-video-exclusive-game-of-thrones-is-back-in-dubrovnik |archivedate=July 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Filming continued until the end of February 2017 as necessary to ensure winter weather in some of the European locations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2016/07/06/game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-date-delayed-new-interview/ |title=''Game of Thrones'' Season 7 Production Delayed |publisher=[[TVLine]] |first=Andy |last=Swift |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |date=July 6, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707215822/http://tvline.com/2016/07/06/game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-date-delayed-new-interview/ |archivedate=July 7, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Directing=== Each ten-episode season of ''Game of Thrones'' has four to six directors, who usually direct back-to-back episodes. [[Alan Taylor (director)|Alan Taylor]] has directed seven episodes, the most episodes of the series. [[Alex Graves]] and [[David Nutter]] have directed six each. [[Daniel Minahan]] directed five episodes, and [[Michelle MacLaren]], [[Mark Mylod]], [[Jeremy Podeswa]], [[Alik Sakharov]], and [[Miguel Sapochnik]] directed four each. [[Brian Kirk]] directed three episodes during the first season, and [[Tim Van Patten]] directed the series' first two episodes. [[Neil Marshall]] directed two episodes, both with large battle scenes: "[[Blackwater (Game of Thrones)|Blackwater]]" and "[[The Watchers on the Wall]]". Other directors have been [[Jack Bender]], [[David Petrarca]], [[Daniel Sackheim]], [[Michael Slovis]] and [[Matt Shakman]].<ref name="Directors">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/game-of-thrones-season-7/|title=Game of Thrones season 7: US and UK air date, teaser trailer, official poster, cast, rumors, and everything you need to know|work=GamesRadar|accessdate=April 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404215853/http://www.gamesradar.com/game-of-thrones-season-7/|archivedate=April 4, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> David Benioff and D. B. Weiss have directed two episodes together but only credited one each episode, which was determined after a coin toss.<ref name="vanity fair"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/index.html |title=Game of Thrones: Cast & Crew |publisher=[[HBO]] |accessdate=December 28, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117044703/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/index.html |archivedate=November 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Technical aspects=== [[Alik Sakharov]] was the pilot's cinematographer. The series has had a number of cinematographers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/sakharov.htm |title=ALIK SAKHAROV ASC |publisher=Cinematographers |accessdate=August 29, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125162551/http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/sakharov.htm |archivedate=January 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and has received seven [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series]] nominations.<ref name="emmys.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |title=Game of Thrones |publisher=[[Emmy Award|Emmys.com]] |accessdate=February 21, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413192605/http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |archivedate=April 13, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Oral Norrey Ottey, Frances Parker, Martin Nicholson, Crispin Green, [[Tim Porter]] and Katie Weiland have edited the series for a varying number of episodes. Weiland received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series]] in 2015.<ref name="emmys.com"/> ==={{anchor|Costuming}}Costumes=== [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Ygritte, Jon and Tormund costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=The costumes of Ygritte, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane|The costumes of Ygritte, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane reflect the harsh climate in which they are worn.]] [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Royal court costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=Royal dresses in King's Landing|Dresses worn at the royal court in King's Landing indicate their wearers' wealth and status.]] [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Brienne and Jaime costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=Brienne and Jaime costumes|Functional weapons and armor, like [[Brienne of Tarth]]'s (left), were manufactured for the series.]] [[Michele Clapton]] was [[costume designer]] for ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} first five seasons before she was replaced by [[April Ferry]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895 |title='Game of Thrones' Season 6 Adds New Costume Designer |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Merle |last=Ginsberg |date=June 19, 2015 |accessdate=December 13, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Clapton will return to the show as costume designer for the seventh season.<ref name="www.ew.com game-thrones-season-7">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7|title=Game of Thrones season 7 directors revealed|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=June 29, 2016|accessdate=June 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The costumes used in the show drew inspiration from a number of sources, such as [[Japanese armor|Japanese]] and [[Persian clothing|Persian]] armour. Dothraki dress resembles that of the [[Bedouin]] (one was made out of fish skins to resemble dragon scales), and the Wildlings wear animal skins like the [[Inuit]].<ref name="wischhover20120604">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://fashionista.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-hair-and-wardrobe-secrets-revealed/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://fashionista.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-hair-and-wardrobe-secrets-revealed/ |title=Game of Thrones' Hair and Wardrobe Secrets Revealed |work=Fashionista |date=June 4, 2012 |accessdate=June 6, 2012 |author=Wischhover, Cheryl|deadurl=no}}</ref> Wildling bone armor is made from molds of actual bones, and is assembled with string and latex resembling [[catgut]].<ref name="Snead, Elizabeth">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/game-thrones-michelle-clapton-costume-designer-emmy-335607 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/game-thrones-michelle-clapton-costume-designer-emmy-335607 |title='Game of Thrones' Designer Michelle Clapton's Secret Source for Wildling Bones: eBay |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 11, 2012 |accessdate=June 11, 2012 |author=Snead, Elizabeth|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although the extras who play Wildlings and the Night's Watch often wear hats (normal in a cold climate), members of the principal cast usually do not so viewers can distinguish the main characters. [[Björk]]'s [[Alexander McQueen]] high-neckline dresses inspired [[Margaery Tyrell]]'s funnel-neck outfit, and prostitutes' dresses are designed for easy removal.<ref name="wischhover20120604" /> All clothing used is aged for two weeks so it appears realistic on high-definition television.<ref name="Snead, Elizabeth"/> About two dozen wigs are used for the actresses. Made of human hair and up to {{convert|2|ft|cm}} in length, they cost up to $7,000 each and are washed and styled like real hair. Applying the wigs is time-consuming; [[Emilia Clarke]], for example, requires about two hours to style her brunette hair with a platinum-blonde wig and braids. Other actors, such as [[Jack Gleeson]] and [[Sophie Turner]], receive frequent [[hair coloring]]. For characters such as Daenerys (Clarke) and her Dothraki, their hair, wigs and costumes are processed to appear as if they have not been washed for weeks.<ref name="wischhover20120604"/> ===Makeup=== For the first three seasons, [[Paul Engelen]] was ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} main makeup designer and [[Prosthetic makeup|prosthetic makeup artist]] with Melissa Lackersteen, [[Conor O'Sullivan (make-up artist)|Conor O'Sullivan]] and Rob Trenton. At the beginning of the fourth season Engelen's team was replaced by Jane Walker and her crew, composed of Ann McEwan and Barrie and Sarah Gower.<ref name="emmys.com"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Game_of_Thrones_Wins_Big_at_Creative_Arts_Emmys/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Game_of_Thrones_Wins_Big_at_Creative_Arts_Emmys/|title=Game of Thrones Wins Big at Creative Arts Emmys|work=Westeros.org|date=September 16, 2012|accessdate=February 21, 2016|author=Elio|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Visual effects=== For the series' large number of [[visual effects]], HBO hired British-based BlueBolt and Irish-based Screen Scene for season one. Most of the environment builds were done as [[2.5D]] projections, giving viewers perspective while keeping the programming from being overwhelming.<ref name=vfx-got>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514050245/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_VFX_Producer_Lucy_Ainsworth-Taylor/ |archivedate=May 14, 2016|last1=Elio|title=Interview with VFX Producer Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_VFX_Producer_Lucy_Ainsworth-Taylor/|publisher=Westeros.org|date=June 22, 2011|accessdate=August 18, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2011 the season-one finale, "[[Fire and Blood (Game of Thrones)|Fire and Blood]]", was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects|Outstanding Special Visual Effects]].<ref name="emmys.com"/> Because the effects became more complex in subsequent seasons (including [[Computer graphics|CGI]] creatures, fire, and water), German-based [[Pixomondo]] became the lead visual-effects producer; nine of its twelve facilities contributed to the project for season two, with [[Stuttgart]] the lead.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718224036/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=July 18, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 |url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |publisher=[[Pixomondo]] |accessdate=August 19, 2014 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=Game of Thrones: Season 3|url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/|publisher=Pixomondo|accessdate=August 19, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Scenes were also produced by British-based Peanut FX, Canadian-based Spin VFX, and U.S.-based Gradient Effects. "[[Valar Morghulis]]" and "[[Valar Dohaeris]]" earned Pixomondo Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in 2012 and 2013, respectively.<ref name="emmys.com"/> For season four, HBO added German-based Mackevision to the project.<ref name=mckvsn>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://mackevision.com/123live-user-data/user_data/6084/public/DOWNLOADS_DE/HOME/20140710_GOT_Nominierung_de.pdf |archivedate=August 21, 2014 |title=Mackevision erhält Emmy-Nominierung für visuelle Effekte in "Game of Thrones" – Pressemeldung|url=http://mackevision.com/123live-user-data/user_data/6084/public/DOWNLOADS_DE/HOME/20140710_GOT_Nominierung_de.pdf|publisher=Mackevision|date=July 10, 2014|accessdate=August 19, 2014|language=German|format=PDF}}</ref> The season-four finale, "[[The Children (Game of Thrones)|The Children]]", won the 2014 Emmy Award for Visual Effects. Additional producers for season four included Canadian-based [[Rodeo FX]], German-based [[Scanline VFX]] and U.S.-based [[BAKED FX]]. The muscle and wing movements of the adolescent dragons in seasons four and five were based largely on those of a chicken. Pixomondo retained a team of 22 to 30 people which focused on visualizing Daenerys Targaryen's dragons, with the average production time per season of 20 to 22 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Johnson|first=Thomas|title=How 'Game of Thrones' creates its dragons|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=April 12, 2015|date=March 19, 2015}}</ref> For the fifth season, HBO added Canadian-based [[Image Engine]] and U.S.-based Crazy Horse Effects to its list of main visual-effects producers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://image-engine.com/tv/game-of-thrones/ |title=Game of Thrones |publisher=Image Engine |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |title=Current Projects |publisher=Crazy Horse Effects |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601231708/http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |archivedate=June 1, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Sound=== Unusual for a television series, the sound team receives a [[rough cut]] of a full season and approaches it as a ten-hour feature film. Although seasons one and two had different sound teams, one team has been in charge of sound since then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asoundeffect.com/creating-the-fantastical-sound-of-game-of-thrones/|title=This is how the fantastical sound of Game Of Thrones is made|last=Andersen|first=Asbjoern|publisher=A Sound Effect|date=August 6, 2014|accessdate=August 6, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808063046/http://www.asoundeffect.com/creating-the-fantastical-sound-of-game-of-thrones/|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> For the show's blood-and-gore sounds, the team often uses a [[Chamois leather|chamois]]. For dragon screams, mating tortoises and dolphin, seal, lion and bird sounds have been used.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506065202/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/game-of-thrones-sound-effects |archivedate=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/game-of-thrones-sound-effects|title=Game of Thrones: The Secrets Behind All the Stabbings, Screams, and Sex Scenes|last=Calautti|first=Katie|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=June 12, 2014|accessdate=August 6, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Title sequence=== {{main article|Game of Thrones title sequence}} The series' [[title sequence]] was created by production studio Elastic for HBO. [[Creative director]] [[Angus Wall]] and his collaborators received the 2011 [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design|Main Title Design]] for the sequence,<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Fernandez|first=Sofia M.|title=Emmys 2011: 'Game of Thrones' Title Sequence Gives Series Its First Emmy|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780|accessdate=June 1, 2013|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 10, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> which depicts a [[Raised-relief map|three-dimensional map]] of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|the series' fictional world]]. The map is projected on the inside of a sphere which is centrally lit by a small sun in an [[armillary sphere]].<ref name="Art of the Title 2013">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Perkins|first=Will|title=Game of Thrones (2011)|url=http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/|accessdate=June 1, 2013|publisher=Art of the Title|date=May 11, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> As the camera moves across the map, focusing on the locations of the episode's events, clockwork mechanisms intertwine and allow buildings and other structures to emerge from the map. Accompanied by the [[Music of Game of Thrones|title music]], the names of the principal cast and creative staff appear. The sequence concludes after about 90 seconds with the title card and brief [[opening credits]] indicating the episode's writer(s) and director. Its composition changes as the story progresses, with new locations replacing those featuring less prominently or not at all.<ref name="Art of the Title 2013"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401141737/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnaxelrod/2013/03/30/how-the-innovative-game-of-thrones-opening-credits-spring-to-life-in-season-3/ |archivedate=April 1, 2013 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnaxelrod/2013/03/30/how-the-innovative-game-of-thrones-opening-credits-spring-to-life-in-season-3/ |title=How The Innovative Game Of Thrones Opening Credits Were Built |work=Forbes |first=John |last=Axelrod |date=March 30, 2013 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/secrets-game-thrones-opening-credits-179656 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/secrets-game-thrones-opening-credits-179656 |title=Secrets Behind 'Game of Thrones' Opening Credits (Video) |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Tim |last=Appelo |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Music=== {{main article|Music of Game of Thrones}} [[File:Ramin Djawadi.jpg|thumb|alt=Ramin Djawadi|upright|[[Ramin Djawadi]] composed the ''Game of Thrones'' score.]] The music for the series was composed by [[Ramin Djawadi]]. The first season's soundtrack, written in about ten weeks before the show's premiere,<ref name=Ryan>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202120407/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/02/02/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=February 2, 2011 |last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title='Game of Thrones' Changes Its Tune, Hires New Composer|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/02/02/game-of-thrones/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|publisher=[[AOL TV]]|date=February 2, 2011}}</ref> was published by [[Varèse Sarabande]] in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725184403/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/05/31/game-of-thrones-soundtrack-details/ |archivedate=July 25, 2016 |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/05/31/game-of-thrones-soundtrack-details/|title=Game of Thrones Soundtrack Details|publisher=Film Music Reporter|date=May 31, 2011|accessdate=June 15, 2011 |deadurl=no}}</ref> Soundtrack albums for subsequent seasons have been released, with tracks by [[The National (band)|the National]], [[the Hold Steady]] and [[Sigur Rós]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ramin Djawadi Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829162008/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397|archivedate=August 29, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Djawadi has composed themes for each of the major houses and also for some of the main characters.<ref name="Djawadi">{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/game-of-thrones-composer-ramin-djawadi-key-musical-elements.html |title=Game of Thrones Composer Ramin Djawadi on the Show's Key Musical Elements, and That Godfather-esque Finale Tune |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |date=July 21, 2016 |accessdate=November 6, 2016 |work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017123724/http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/game-of-thrones-composer-ramin-djawadi-key-musical-elements.html |archivedate=October 17, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The themes may evolve over time, as Daenerys Targaryen's theme started small and then became more powerful after each season. Her theme started first with a single instrument, a [[cello]], and Djawadi later incorporated more instruments for it.<ref name="Djawadi"/> ===Language=== {{main article|Languages of A Song of Ice and Fire}} The Westerosi characters of ''Game of Thrones'' speak British-accented English, often (but not consistently) with the accent of the English region corresponding to the character's Westerosi region; [[Eddard Stark]] (Warden of the North) speaks in actor Sean Bean's native [[Yorkshire accent|northern accent]], and the southern lord Tywin Lannister speaks with a [[Received Pronunciation|southern accent]], while characters from Dorne speak English with a Spanish accent.<ref name="Dissecting the real-world accents in Game of Thrones {{!}} Metro News">{{cite web|last1=McNeil|first1=Colin|title=Dissecting the real-world accents in Game of Thrones {{!}} Metro News|url=http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2016/06/24/dialect-coach-dissects-game-of-thrones-accents.html|website=[[Metro International#North America|Metro Toronto]]|publisher=Free Daily News Group Inc.|accessdate=April 20, 2017|location=[[Toronto]]|language=en|date=June 24, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421095418/http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2016/06/24/dialect-coach-dissects-game-of-thrones-accents.html|archivedate=April 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="With a wink to its audience, ">{{cite web|last1=Epstein|first1=Adam|title=With a wink to its audience, "Game of Thrones" told its most annoying characters to shut up|url=https://qz.com/718066/with-a-wink-to-its-audience-game-of-thrones-told-its-most-annoying-characters-to-shut-up/|work=[[Quartz (publication)|''Quartz'']]|accessdate=April 20, 2017|language=English|date=June 27, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421094509/https://qz.com/718066/with-a-wink-to-its-audience-game-of-thrones-told-its-most-annoying-characters-to-shut-up/|archivedate=April 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Characters foreign to Westeros often have a non-British accent.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://gawker.com/what-is-going-on-with-the-accents-in-game-of-thrones-485816507 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Read |first=Max |title=What Is Going on With the Accents in Game of Thrones? |url=http://gawker.com/what-is-going-on-with-the-accents-in-game-of-thrones-485816507 |accessdate=May 8, 2013 |publisher=[[Gawker]] |date=May 6, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> Although English is the common language of Westeros, the producers charged linguist [[David J. Peterson]] with [[constructed language|constructing]] [[Dothraki language|Dothraki]] and [[Valyrian languages]] based on the few words in the novels;<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Martin|first=Denise|title=Learn to Speak Dothraki and Valyrian From the Man Who Invented Them for Game of Thrones|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html|accessdate=April 24, 2013|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=April 23, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Dothraki and Valyrian dialogue is often subtitled in English. It has been reported that during the series these fictional languages have been heard by more people than the [[Welsh language|Welsh]], [[Irish language|Irish]], and [[Scots Gaelic]] languages combined.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=Game of Thrones: Can you speak Dothraki?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''Today'' programme|date=May 9, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Effect on location=== ''Game of Thrones'' is funded by [[Northern Ireland Screen]], a UK government agency financed by [[Invest NI]] and the [[European Regional Development Fund]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/2919/game-of-thrones-season-3-to-film-in-northern-ireland.aspx|archivedate=August 21, 2016|publisher=Northern Ireland Screen|title=Game of Thrones season 3 to film in Northern Ireland|url=http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/2919/game-of-thrones-season-3-to-film-in-northern-ireland.aspx|accessdate=April 12, 2012|date=April 12, 2012|deadurl=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As of April 2013, Northern Ireland Screen gave the show £9.25 million ($14.37 million); according to government estimates, this has benefited the [[Northern Ireland economy]] by £65 million ($100.95 million).<ref name="bradley20120412" /> [[Tourism Ireland]] has a ''Game of Thrones''-themed marketing campaign similar to New Zealand's [[Tolkien tourism|Tolkien-related advertising]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tourismireland.com/Press-Releases/2016/April/New-advertising-campaign-to-showcase-Northern-Irel |title=New advertising campaign to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of Game of Thrones® fans worldwide |publisher=Tourism Ireland |date=April 26, 2016 |accessdate=June 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054509/https://www.tourismireland.com/Press-Releases/2016/April/New-advertising-campaign-to-showcase-Northern-Irel |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Tourism-Ireland-wins-top-marketing-award-for-Game-of-Thrones-campaign-562193.html |title=Tourism Ireland wins top marketing award for Game of Thrones campaign |publisher=Business World |first=Robert |last=McHugh |date=December 14, 2015 |accessdate=June 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054510/https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Tourism-Ireland-wins-top-marketing-award-for-Game-of-Thrones-campaign-562193.html |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><!-- The reference to Tolkien tourism comes from the previously cited source @ https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://qz.com/196010/will-game-of-thrones-make-ireland-the-next-new-zealand/ --> Invest NI and the [[Northern Ireland Tourist Board]] also expect the series to generate tourism revenue.<ref name=bradley20120412>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508092252/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/the-game-of-thrones-tourists-1.1357475 |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |last=Bradley|first=Una|title=The 'Game of Thrones' tourists: How much is the hit HBO fantasy series worth to its home, Northern Ireland?|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/the-game-of-thrones-tourists-1.1357475|accessdate=April 12, 2013|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=April 12, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to [[Arlene Foster]], the series has given Northern Ireland the most [[The Troubles|non-political]] publicity in its history.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/game-of-thrones-pumped-43m-into-northern-irelands-economy-and-more-could-be-on-the-way-28749710.html |title=Game of Thrones pumped £43m into Northern Ireland's economy, and more could be on the way |work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]] |date=May 16, 2012 |accessdate=May 16, 2012 |author=McAdam, Noel |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The production of ''Game of Thrones'' and other TV series also boosted Northern Ireland's creative industries, contributing to an estimated 12.4-percent growth in arts, entertainment and recreation jobs between 2008 and 2013 (compared with 4.3&nbsp;percent in the rest of the UK during the same period).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Pym|first=Hugh|title=Game of Thrones boost to economy in Northern Ireland|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311|accessdate=May 11, 2014|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=May 11, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tourism organizations elsewhere reported increases in bookings after their locations appeared in ''Game of Thrones''. In 2012, bookings through [[LateRooms.com]] increased by 28 percent in Dubrovnik and 13 percent in Iceland. The following year, bookings doubled in [[Ouarzazate]], Morocco (the location of Daenerys' season-three scenes).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-288707.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Adam|first=Shabana|title=Travel News: Game of Thrones Sparks Big Boosts in Hotel Bookings to Filming Locations|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-288707.html|accessdate=April 18, 2013|publisher=Female First|date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> ''Game of Thrones'' has been attributed as a significant factor in the boom of tourism in Iceland that had a strong impact on its economy. Tourist numbers increased by 30% in 2015, followed by another 40% in 2016,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-03/world-beating-krona-weathers-iceland-s-rate-cuts-on-tourism-boom |title=Game of Thrones Crowns Iceland Krona as World's Best Currency |first=Love |last=Liman |date=May 3, 2017 |work=Bloomberg |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504043446/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-03/world-beating-krona-weathers-iceland-s-rate-cuts-on-tourism-boom |archivedate=May 4, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> with a final figure of 2.4 million visitors expected for 2016, which is around seven times the population of the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/iceland-game-thrones-hbo-westeros-krona-593949 |title=Iceland's Economy is Booming—Thanks to a Little Help from Game of Throne |first=Josh |last=Lowe |date=May 3, 2017 |work=Newsweek |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504233103/http://www.newsweek.com/iceland-game-thrones-hbo-westeros-krona-593949 |archivedate=May 4, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ==Availability== ===Broadcast=== ''Game of Thrones'' is broadcast by [[HBO]] in the United States and by its local subsidiaries or other [[pay television]] services in other countries, at the same time as in the U.S. or weeks (or months) later. The series' broadcast in China on [[China Central Television|CCTV]], begun in 2014, was heavily edited to remove scenes of sex and violence in accordance with a Chinese practice of censoring Western TV series to prevent what the ''[[People's Daily]]'' calls "negative effects and hidden security dangers". This resulted in viewer complaints about the incoherence of what remained.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Blum|first=Jeremy|title=Game of Thrones premieres on CCTV, viewers call it an edited 'mess'|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess|accessdate=May 4, 2014|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|date=April 30, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Broadcasters carrying ''Game of Thrones'' include [[Showcase (Australian TV channel)|Showcase]] in Australia; [[HBO Canada]], [[Super Écran]] and [[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]] in Canada; [[HBO Latin America]] in [[Latin America]]; [[Soho (New Zealand)|SoHo]] and [[Prime (New Zealand)|Prime]] in New Zealand, and [[Sky Atlantic]] in the United Kingdom and Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805221338/http://winter-is-coming.net/features/international-airings/ |archivedate=August 5, 2011 |url=http://www.winter-is-coming.net/features/international-airings|title=International Game of Thrones airings|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=August 2, 2011|accessdate=October 2, 2011}}</ref> ===Home video=== The ten episodes of the first season of ''Game of Thrones'' were released as a DVD and [[Blu-ray]] [[box set]] on March 6, 2012. The box set includes extra background and behind-the-scenes material but no deleted scenes, since nearly all the footage shot for the first season was used in the show.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017022137/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/30/game-of-thrones-dvd/ |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' scoop: DVD release date, details, photos|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/30/game-of-thrones-dvd/|accessdate=December 5, 2011|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 30, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> The box set sold over 350,000 copies in the first week after release, the largest first-week DVD sales ever for an HBO series, and the series set an HBO-series record for digital-download sales.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018144145/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316 |archivedate=October 18, 2014 |last=Richwine|first=Lisa|title='Game of Thrones' rules HBO's DVD sales|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316|date=March 16, 2012 |agency=Reuters|accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> A collector's-edition box set was released in November 2012, combining the DVD and Blu-ray versions of the first season with the first episode of season two. A paperweight in the shape of a dragon egg is included in the set.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425203629/http://www.bestbuy.com/site/game-of-thrones-the-complete-first-season-premium-edition-gift-box-8-discs-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray-disc/6909419.p?id=2541333&skuId=6909419|archivedate=April 25, 2016|url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/game-of-thrones-the-complete-first-season-premium-edition-gift-box-8-discs-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray-disc/6909419.p?id=2541333&skuId=6909419|title=Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season Premium Edition Gift Box [8 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] (Blu-ray Disc)|work=[[Best Buy]]|date=November 20, 2012|accessdate=April 19, 2016|deadurl=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> DVD-Blu-ray box sets and digital downloads of the second season became available on February 19, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704025800/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/ |archivedate=July 4, 2014 |title='Game of Thrones' season 2 DVD date and extras revealed|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/|accessdate=March 13, 2013|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> First-day sales broke HBO records, with 241,000 box sets sold and 355,000 episodes downloaded.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030023317/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ |archivedate=October 30, 2014 | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ | title='Game of Thrones' early DVD sales breaking HBO records | work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=February 22, 2013 | accessdate=February 23, 2013 | author=Hibberd, James|deadurl=no}}</ref> The third season was made available for purchase as a digital download on the Australian [[iTunes Store]], parallel to the U.S. premiere, and was released on DVD and Blu-ray in [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|region 1]] on February 18, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season/game-of-thrones-season-3/id611198334?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 |title=Game of Thrones season 3 on iTunes Australian Store |publisher=[[iTunes]] |accessdate=March 31, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508105049/https://itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season/game-of-thrones-season-3/id611198334?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909203852/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-3/18611 |archivedate=September 9, 2016 |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-3/18611|title=Game of Thrones – 2014 Release Date, Package Art for 'The Complete 3rd Season', on DVD, Blu|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|last=Lambert|first=David|date=June 24, 2013|accessdate=June 25, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The fourth season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 17, 2015,<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908225452/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-4/20065 |archivedate=September 8, 2016 |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-4/20065|title=Game of Thrones – 'The Complete 4th Season' Press Release: Date, Art, Cost, Extras|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|last=Lambert|first=David|date=July 16, 2014|accessdate=July 16, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the fifth season on March 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316093450/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/ |archivedate=March 16, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 [Blu-ray + Digital HD]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]]|accessdate=October 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The sixth season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814123241/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2JPULU/ |archivedate=August 14, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season [Blu-ray]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2JPULU/ |publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]] |accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Beginning in 2016, HBO began issuing Steelbook Blu-ray sets which include both [[Dolby TrueHD]] [[7.1 surround sound|7.1]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] audio options.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/game-thrones-winter-coming%E2%80%94-atmos |title=Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming—In Atmos |first=David |last=Vaughn |publisher=Sound & Vision |date=January 29, 2016 |accessdate=May 28, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515165338/http://www.soundandvision.com/content/game-thrones-winter-coming%E2%80%94-atmos |archivedate=May 15, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Copyright infringement=== ''Game of Thrones'' has been widely [[Copyright infringement of audio-visual works|pirated]], primarily outside the U.S.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015" /> According to the file-sharing news website [[TorrentFreak]], ''Game of Thrones'' has been the most-pirated TV series each year since 2012.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702013632/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/05/09/hbos-game-of-thrones-on-track-to-be-crowned-most-pirated-show-of-2012/ |archivedate=July 2, 2016 |last=Greenberg|first=Andy|title=HBO's 'Game Of Thrones' On Track To Be Crowned Most Pirated Show Of 2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/05/09/hbos-game-of-thrones-on-track-to-be-crowned-most-pirated-show-of-2012/|accessdate= May 9, 2012|work=[[Forbes]]|date=May 9, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625052658/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2013-131225/ |archivedate=June 25, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' Most Pirated TV-Show of 2013|url=http://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2013-131225/|accessdate=December 28, 2013|newspaper=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=December 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504030322/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10751891/Game-of-Thrones-still-most-pirated-TV-show.html |archivedate=May 4, 2016 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10751891/Game-of-Thrones-still-most-pirated-TV-show.html |title=Game of Thrones still most pirated TV show |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first=Rhiannon |last=Williams |date=April 8, 2014 |accessdate=June 23, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310175113/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |archivedate=March 10, 2016 |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |title=Game of Thrones tops 2015's piracy charts|work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|first=Matt |last=Kamen |date=December 28, 2015 |accessdate=December 28, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226175113/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv-show-of-2016-161226/ |archivedate=December 26, 2016 |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv-show-of-2016-161226/ |title='Game of Thrones' Most Torrented TV-Show of 2016|work=[[TorrentFreak]]|first=Ernesto |last=Van der Sar |date=December 26, 2016 |accessdate=December 26, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Illegal downloads increased to about seven million in the first quarter of 2015, up 45 percent from 2014.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629121501/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594 |archivedate=June 29, 2016 |last1=Jarvey|first1=Natalie|title='Game of Thrones' Piracy Soars Ahead of Season 5 Premiere|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594|accessdate=April 10, 2015|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 9, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> An unnamed episode was downloaded about 4,280,000 times through public [[BitTorrent tracker]]s in 2012, roughly equal to its number of broadcast viewers.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720011942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739 |archivedate=July 20, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones tops TV show internet piracy chart|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739|accessdate=January 4, 2013|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=December 24, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617091847/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2012-121223/ |archivedate=June 17, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones Most Pirated TV-Show of 2012 |date=December 23, 2012 |work=[[TorrentFreak]] |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2012-121223/ |accessdate=December 23, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Piracy rates were particularly high in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802013734/https://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |archivedate=August 2, 2016 |url=http://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |title=Who's Pirating Game of Thrones, And Why? |publisher=[[TorrentFreak]] |date=May 20, 2012 |accessdate=March 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and U.S. Ambassador to Australia [[Jeff Bleich]] issued a statement condemning Australian piracy of the series in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125134307/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/us-ambassador-jeffrey-bleich-pleads-australia-stop-pirating-game-of-thrones/story-e6frg6n6-1226629324212 |archivedate=January 25, 2015 |last=Piotrowski|first=Daniel|title=US ambassador Jeffrey Bleich pleads: Australia, stop pirating Game of Thrones|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/us-ambassador-jeffrey-bleich-pleads-australia-stop-pirating-game-of-thrones/story-e6frg6n6-1226629324212|accessdate=April 25, 2013|work=[[The Age]]|date=April 25, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Delays in availability apart from HBO and its affiliates<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508025941/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/10/international-audiences-have-few-choices-to-legally-watch-hbos-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=May 8, 2016 |last=Kain|first=Erik|title=International Audiences Have Few Choices To Legally Watch HBO's 'Game Of Thrones'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/10/international-audiences-have-few-choices-to-legally-watch-hbos-game-of-thrones/|accessdate=May 11, 2012|work=[[Forbes]]|date=May 10, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> before 2015 and the cost of subscriptions to these services have been cited as causes of the series' illegal distribution. According to ''TorrentFreak'', a subscription to a service for ''Game of Thrones'' would cost up to $25 per month in the United States, up to £26 per episode in the UK and up to $52 per episode in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710144941/https://torrentfreak.com/why-people-pirate-game-of-thrones-a-global-cost-breakdown-140413/ |archivedate=July 10, 2016 |title=Why People Pirate Game of Thrones, a Global Cost Breakdown|url=http://torrentfreak.com/why-people-pirate-game-of-thrones-a-global-cost-breakdown-140413/|accessdate=April 15, 2014|newspaper=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=April 13, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> For "combating piracy", HBO said in 2013 that it intended to make its content more widely available within a week of the U.S. premiere (including [[HBO Go]]).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307224118/https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/04/how-hbo-is-protecting-game-of-thrones-from-online-piracy-in-2013/ |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/04/how-hbo-is-protecting-game-of-thrones-from-online-piracy-in-2013/ |title=How HBO Is Protecting 'Game of Thrones' from Online Piracy in 2013 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=March 3, 2013 |accessdate=March 5, 2013 |author=Pinchefsky, Carol|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season]] was [[simulcast]] to 170 countries and to [[HBO Now]] users.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015" /> On April 11, the day before the season premiere, [[screener (promotional)|screener]] copies of the first four episodes of the fifth season leaked to a number of [[file-sharing]] websites.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626183441/http://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966 |archivedate=June 26, 2016 |title=Nearly Half of Game of Thrones Season 5 Just Leaked|url=http://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966|website=Gizmodo|deadurl=no}}</ref> Within a day of the leak, the files were downloaded over 800,000 times;<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412204649/https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2015/04/12/upcoming-game-of-thrones-episodes-leak-online-was-hbo-hacked/ |archivedate=April 12, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2015/04/12/upcoming-game-of-thrones-episodes-leak-online-was-hbo-hacked/ |title=Nearly Half Of 'Game of Thrones' Upcoming Season Leaks Online – Was HBO Hacked? |date=April 12, 2015 |first=Joseph |last=Steinberg |work=[[Forbes]] |accessdate=April 12, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> in one week the illegal downloads reached 32&nbsp;million, with the season-five premiere alone ("[[The Wars to Come]]") pirated 13&nbsp;million times.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307001526/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-5-breaks-piracy-record-with-32m-illegal-downloads-10197482.html |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-5-breaks-piracy-record-with-32m-illegal-downloads-10197482.html |title=Game of Thrones season 5 breaks piracy record with 32m illegal downloads |first=Jess |last=Denham |date=April 23, 2015 |work=[[The Independent]] |accessdate=May 12, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The season-five finale ("[[Mother's Mercy]]") was the most simultaneously shared file in the history of the [[BitTorrent]] filesharing protocol, with over 250,000 simultaneous sharers and over 1.5&nbsp;million downloads in eight hours.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811132514/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-season-finale-breaks-piracy-record-150615/ |archivedate=August 11, 2016 |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-season-finale-breaks-piracy-record-150615/|title=Game of Thrones Season Finale breaks Piracy Records|publisher=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=June 15, 2015 |accessdate=June 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> For the sixth season, HBO did not send [[screener (promotional)|screeners]] to the press, so as to prevent the spread of unlicensed copies and possible [[Spoiler (media)|spoilers]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415083105/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/02/game-thrones-season-6-review-screeners |archivedate=April 15, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/02/game-thrones-season-6-review-screeners |title=''Game of Thrones'' lockdown: HBO won't send press any season 6 episodes |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=March 2, 2016 |accessdate=March 2, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Observers, including series director [[David Petrarca]]<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318180807/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |archivedate=March 18, 2016 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |title=Downloads don't matter |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=February 26, 2013 |accessdate=March 2, 2013 |agency=Australian Associated Press|deadurl=no}}</ref> and [[Time Warner]] CEO [[Jeff Bewkes]], said that illegal downloads did not hurt the series' prospects; it benefited from "[[Marketing buzz|buzz]]" and social commentary, and the high piracy rate did not significantly translate to lost subscriptions. According to ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', HBO's relaxed attitude towards piracy and the sharing of login credentials amounted to a premium-television "[[free-to-play]]" model.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308073846/http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5636120/game-of-thrones-free-to-play-tv-hbo |archivedate=March 8, 2016 |last=Kuchera|first=Ben|title=Game of Thrones is the first 'free-to-play' TV show, and gaming is racing to catch up|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5636120/game-of-thrones-free-to-play-tv-hbo|accessdate=April 21, 2014|newspaper=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=April 21, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> At a 2015 [[Oxford Union]] debate, series co-creator David Benioff said that he was just glad that people watched the show; illegally downloaded copies of the show sometimes interested viewers enough to buy a copy of the show, especially in countries where the show was not televised. Co-creator D. B. Weiss had mixed feelings, saying that the show was expensive to produce and "if it doesn't make the money back, then it ceases to exist". However, he was pleased that so many people "enjoy the show so much they can't wait to get their hands on it."<ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones at the Oxford Union – Full Address|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc|publisher=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=June 15, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601173130/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc|archivedate=June 1, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2015, ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' called ''Game of Thrones'' the most-pirated television program.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603142753/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562 |archivedate=June 3, 2016 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562|title=Maisie Williams overjoyed as Game of Thrones marches into Guinness World Records 2016|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|last=Lynch|first=Kevin|date=August 31, 2015|accessdate=November 11, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===IMAX=== Beginning on January 23, 2015, the last two episodes of [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|season four]] were shown in 205 [[IMAX]] theaters across the United States; ''Game of Thrones'' is the first TV series shown in this format.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123092247/http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/ |archivedate=January 23, 2015 |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/|title='Game of Thrones' coming to IMAX: First TV series released in format|last=Hibberd|first=James|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=January 6, 2015|accessdate=January 22, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The show earned $686,000 at the box office on its opening day<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828102303/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-game-of-thrones-eyes-2-million-in-imax-debut-1201420355/ |archivedate=August 28, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-game-of-thrones-eyes-2-million-in-imax-debut-1201420355/ | title = Box Office: 'Game of Thrones' Eyes $2 Million in Imax Debut | first = Maane |last=Khatchatourian | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = January 31, 2015 | accessdate = February 1, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and $1.5 million during its opening weekend;<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421233114/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/02/01/box-office-american-sniper-sets-super-bowl-record-game-of-thrones-scores-in-imax/ |archivedate=April 21, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/02/01/box-office-american-sniper-sets-super-bowl-record-game-of-thrones-scores-in-imax/ | title = Box Office: 'American Sniper' Sets Super Bowl Record, 'Game Of Thrones' Scores IMAX Touchdown |first=Scott |last=Mendelson | work=[[Forbes]] | date = February 1, 2015 | accessdate = February 1, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> the week-long release grossed $1,896,092.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905171144/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm |archivedate=September 5, 2015 |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm | title=Game of Thrones (IMAX) (2015) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] | date=February 6, 2015 | accessdate=April 12, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> ==Reception and achievements== ''Game of Thrones'' was highly anticipated by fans before its premiere,<ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120193535/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated |archivedate=November 20, 2011 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated |title=Is A Game of Thrones the most eagerly anticipated TV show ever? |date=July 23, 2010 |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Mathilda |last=Gregory |accessdate=March 13, 2013 |location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/08/with-game-of-thrones-hbo-is-plotting-for-another-true-blood.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Colins |first=Scott |title=With 'Game of Thrones,' HBO is playing for another 'True Blood' |date=August 8, 2010 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/08/with-game-of-thrones-hbo-is-plotting-for-another-true-blood.html |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and has become a critical and commercial success. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', by 2014 it was "the biggest drama" and "the most talked about show" on television.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920154652/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love |archivedate=September 20, 2016 |last=Hughes|first=Sarah|title='Sopranos meets Middle-earth': how Game of Thrones took over our world|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love|accessdate=March 22, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 22, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Cultural influence=== Although ''Game of Thrones'' was dismissed by some critics before it began,<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014"/> its success has been credited with an increase in the popularity of fantasy themes. On the eve of the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season's]] premiere, a [[CNN.com]] blog post by Joel Williams read, "After this weekend, you may be hard pressed to find someone who isn't a fan of some form of [[epic fantasy]]" and cited [[Ian Bogost]] as saying that the series continues a trend of successful screen adaptations beginning with [[Peter Jackson]]'s 2001 [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy]] and the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' films]] establishing fantasy as a mass-market genre; they are "[[gateway drugs]] to fantasy fan culture".<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Williams|first=Joel|title=Mainstream finally believes fantasy fans|url=http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/|accessdate=April 5, 2012 |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Its success in the face of its genre was attributed by writers to a longing for escapism in popular culture, frequent female nudity and a skill in balancing lighthearted and serious topics (dragons and politics, for example) which provided it with a prestige enjoyed by conventional, top-tier drama series.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014" /> The series' popularity increased [[A Song of Ice and Fire#Sales|sales of the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' novels]] (republished in tie-in editions), which remained at the top of bestseller lists for months. According to ''[[The Daily Beast]]'', ''Game of Thrones'' was a favorite of [[sitcom]] writers and the series has been referred to in other TV series.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/21/game-of-thrones-modern-family-parks-and-rec-writers-on-why-they-love-the-hbo-drama.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Lacob|first=Jace|title='Game of Thrones': 'Modern Family,' 'Parks and Rec' Writers on Why They Love the HBO Drama|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/21/game-of-thrones-modern-family-parks-and-rec-writers-on-why-they-love-the-hbo-drama.html|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=September 21, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> With other fantasy series, it has been cited for an increase in the purchase (and abandonment) of [[huskies]] and other wolf-like dogs.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/game-of-thrones-inspired-huskie-craze-goes-cold-as-owners-give-up-on-dogs-8431188.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=O'Brian|first=Liam|title=Game of Thrones inspired Huskie craze goes cold as owners give up on dogs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/game-of-thrones-inspired-huskie-craze-goes-cold-as-owners-give-up-on-dogs-8431188.html|accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=December 26, 2012|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> ''Game of Thrones'' has added to the popular vocabulary. The first season's scene in which Petyr Baelish explains his motives (or background) while prostitutes had sex in the background gave rise to the word "[[sexposition]]" for providing [[exposition (literary technique)|exposition]] with sex and nudity.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328073923/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama?newsfeed=true |archivedate=March 28, 2013 |last=Hann|first=Michael|title=How 'sexposition' fleshes out the story|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama?newsfeed=true|accessdate=March 29, 2012|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 11, 2012|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> "[[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|Dothraki]]", the series' nomadic horsemen, was ranked fourth in a September 2012 [[Global Language Monitor]] list of words from television most used on the Internet.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/25/and-the-top-television-words-of-the-year-are/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Steinmetz|first=Kate|title=And the Top TV Words of the Year Are&nbsp;... |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/25/and-the-top-television-words-of-the-year-are/|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=September 25, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2012, the media used "Game of Thrones" as a figure of speech or comparison for situations of intense conflict and deceit, such as [[National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius|the 2012 United States Supreme Court decision regarding healthcare reform legislation]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-brescia/game-of-robes-why-conserv_b_1647678.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Brescia|first=Ray|title=Game of Robes: Why Conservatives May Ultimately Praise the Roberts Switch on Health Care Reform|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-brescia/game-of-robes-why-conserv_b_1647678.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 6, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the [[Syrian Civil War]]<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-varsavsky/there-is-still-a-lot-of-g_b_1649089.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Varsavsky|first=Martin|title=The Game of Thrones Around Us|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-varsavsky/there-is-still-a-lot-of-g_b_1649089.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 4, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the ousting of [[Bo Xilai]] from the Chinese government.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.theage.com.au/world/strongmen-of-china-playing-a-risky-game-of-thrones-20120630-219km.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Garnaut|first=John|title=Strongmen of China playing a risky game of thrones|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/strongmen-of-china-playing-a-risky-game-of-thrones-20120630-219km.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=July 1, 2012|location=Melbourne|deadurl=no}}</ref> "Khaleesi" has increased in popularity as a name for baby girls in the United States. In the novels and the TV series, the word is a title meaning the wife of a Khal (warlord) in the [[Dothraki language]] held by [[Daenerys Targaryen]], and not actually a name.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819190426/http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/there-are-now-more-babies-named-khaleesi-than-betsy-or-nadine-in-the-us.html |archivedate=August 19, 2016|last=O'Neil|first=Lauren|title=There are now more babies named 'Khaleesi' than 'Betsy' or 'Nadine' in the U.S.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/there-are-now-more-babies-named-khaleesi-than-betsy-or-nadine-in-the-us.html|date=April 11, 2014|newspaper=[[CBC News]]|accessdate=April 27, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> ==={{anchor|General}}Critical response=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="float:right; text-align:center; margin:10px;" |- ! style="padding:0 8px;" colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Season ! style="padding:0 8px;" colspan="2" | Critical response |- ! style="padding:0 8px;" | [[Rotten Tomatoes]] ! style="padding:0 8px;" | [[Metacritic]] |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#295354;"| | 1 | 89% (33 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 1 (2011) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823100552/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01 |archivedate=August 23, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 80 (28 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS1">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-1 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 1 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=August 11, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#D09916;"| | 2 | 96% (33 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 (2012) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154031/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 90 (26 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=August 11, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819000000/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2 |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#5C5857;"| | 3 | 97% (44 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 (2013) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154035/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 91 (25 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=March 28, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819000000/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3 |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#212121;"| | 4 | 97% (50 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 4 |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154042/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 94 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 4 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 8, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404151021/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4 |archivedate=April 4, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#68411C;"| | 5 | 95% (52 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 (2015) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826102539/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05 |archivedate=August 26, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 91 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS5">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 11, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417014228/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5 |archivedate=April 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#31485C;"| | 6 | 96% (29 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 6 (2016) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=April 25, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424160905/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06 |archivedate=April 24, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 73 (9 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS6">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 6 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 28, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426183043/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6 |archivedate=April 26, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#4CB8E9;"| | 7 | 96% (34 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS7">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 7|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07/#episodes|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=August 31, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430154506/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07#episodes|archivedate=April 30, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | 77 (12 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS7">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 7 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=July 18, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722061455/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7 |archivedate=July 22, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |} ''Game of Thrones'' has received critical acclaim, although the series' frequent use of nudity and violence has been criticized. Its seasons have appeared on annual "best of" lists published by ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (2011), ''[[TIME Magazine|TIME]]'' (2011 and 2012) and ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' (2012).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305075523/http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/12/thrones-lands-on-tons-of-top-tv-shows-of-2011-lists/ |archivedate=March 5, 2013 |title=Thrones lands on tons of top TV shows of 2011 lists|url=http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/12/thrones-lands-on-tons-of-top-tv-shows-of-2011-lists/|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=December 23, 2011 | accessdate =December 23, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/255830.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=Plaudits for GAME OF THRONES |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/255830.html |accessdate=December 23, 2011 |date=December 21, 2011 |publisher=Not A Blog |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411133825/http://winteriscoming.net/2012/12/game-of-thrones-the-best-of-2012/ |archivedate=April 11, 2014 |title=Game of Thrones: The best of 2012|url=http://winteriscoming.net/2012/12/game-of-thrones-the-best-of-2012/|accessdate=January 4, 2013|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=December 27, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The performances of the cast have also been praised. [[Peter Dinklage]]'s "charming, morally ambiguous, and self-aware"<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230144/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/ |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Gilbert|first=Matthew|title=Fantasy comes true with HBO's 'Game of Thrones'|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=April 15, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tyrion, who earned him [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Emmy]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe]] awards, was noted. "In many ways, ''Game of Thrones'' belongs to Dinklage", wrote Mary McNamara of the ''[[Los Angeles Times|L.A. Times]]'' before Tyrion became the series' central figure in [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|season two]].<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/15/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=McNamara|first=Mary|title=Swords, sex and struggles|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/15/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415|accessdate=May 19, 2013|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 15, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329120407/http://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/singleton/ |archivedate=March 29, 2012 |last=Paskin|first=Willa|title=Bloody, bloody "Game of Thrones"|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/singleton/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[Salon magazine|Salon]]|date=March 29, 2012}}</ref> Several critics highlighted performances by actresses<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011" /> and children.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roush-Review-Thrones-1031879.aspx |archivedate=August 21, 2014 |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roush-Review-Thrones-1031879.aspx |title=Roush Review: Grim Thrones Is a Crowning Achievement|first=Matt |last=Roush |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=April 15, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Fourteen-year-old [[Maisie Williams]], noted in the first season for her debut as [[Arya Stark]], was singled out for her season-two work with veteran actor [[Charles Dance]] ([[Tywin Lannister]]).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/game-changers-the-10-biggest-changes-between-game-of-thrones-and-the-books-20120515/the-tywin-and-arya-show-19691231 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |title=The Tywin and Arya Show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/game-changers-the-10-biggest-changes-between-game-of-thrones-and-the-books-20120515/the-tywin-and-arya-show-19691231|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 15, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> First-season reviewers said the series had high production values, a fully realized world and compelling characters.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017221329/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20481542%2C00.html |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |author=Tucker, Ken |title=Game of Thrones (2011) |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 14, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2011 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20481542,00.html |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', "There may be no show more profitable to its network than 'Game of Thrones' is to HBO. Fully produced by the pay cabler and already a global phenomenon after only one season, the fantasy skein was a gamble that has paid off handsomely".<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/ |title=Cablers hit highs, lows, PR hurdles in 2011 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 27, 2011 |accessdate=December 31, 2011 |author=Levine, Stuart |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The second season was also well received by critics. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' praised its "vivid, vital, and just plain fun" storytelling<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027041802/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20470532_20580368%2C00.html |archivedate=October 27, 2014 |last=Tucker |first=Ken |title=TV Review: Game Of Thrones (2012) |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20470532_20580368,00.html |accessdate=March 25, 2012 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 21, 2012 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and, according to ''[[the Hollywood Reporter]]'', the show made a "strong case for being one of TV's best series"; its seriousness made it the only drama comparable to ''[[Mad Men]]'' or ''[[Breaking Bad]]''.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6W4Uf7zgs?url=http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/Game-of-Thrones-HBO-Peter-Dinklage-George-Martin-304869 |archivedate=February 3, 2015 |last=Goodman |first=Tim |title='Game of Thrones' Season 2: TV Review |url=http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/Game-of-Thrones-HBO-Peter-Dinklage-George-Martin-304869 |accessdate=March 28, 2012 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 27, 2012 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the series a mixed review, criticizing its number of characters, their lack of complexity and a meandering plot.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921082549/http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html |archivedate=September 21, 2013 |last=Genzlinger|first=Neil|title=Uneasy Lies the Head That Steals a Crown: 'Game of Thrones' on HBO|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html|accessdate=March 29, 2012|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 29, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The third season was very well received by critics, with Metacritic giving it a score of 91 out of 100 (indicating "universal acclaim").<ref name="MetacriticS3" /> The fourth season was also praised; Metacritic gave it a score of 94 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, again indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MetacriticS4" /> The fifth season was also well received by critics and has a score of 91 out of 100 (based on 29 reviews) on Metacritic.<ref name="MetacriticS5" /> The sixth season has been praised by critics. It has a score of 73 out of 100 (based on nine reviews) on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MetacriticS6" /> The seventh season has a score of 77 out of 100 (based on twelve reviews) on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MetacriticS7" /> The series has a rating of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 44 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3" /> All episodes had positive reviews of 91 percent or higher on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 97-percent rating (based on 50 reviews) for the season as a whole.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4" /> On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 95 percent and an average score of 8.6 out of 10 (based on 52 reviews).<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5" /> The season has a rating of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 29 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6" /> After the first episode aired, the seventh season held a rating of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 29 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS7" /> ===={{anchor|Use of sex and violence|Sex and violence}}Sex and violence==== Despite its otherwise enthusiastic reception by critics, ''Game of Thrones'' has been criticized for the amount of female nudity, violence, and sexual violence (especially against women) it depicts, and for the manner in which it depicts these themes. ''[[The Atlantic]]'' called the series' "tendency to ramp up the sex, violence, and—especially—sexual violence" of the source material "the defining weakness" of the adaptation.<ref name="Atlantic">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826014749/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/game-of-thrones-roundtable-season-5-episode-six-unbowed-unbent-unbroken/393503/ |archivedate=August 26, 2016|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/game-of-thrones-roundtable-season-5-episode-six-unbowed-unbent-unbroken/393503/|title=Game of Thrones: A Pointless Horror and a Ridiculous Fight|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|last2=Orr|first2=Christopher|last3=Sullivan|first3=Amy|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> George R. R. Martin responded that he feels obliged to be truthful about history and human nature, and that rape and sexual violence are common in war; and that omitting them from the narrative would have rung false and undermined one of [[#Themes|his novels' themes]], its historical realism.<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> HBO said that they "fully support the vision and artistry of Dan and David’s exceptional work and we feel this work speaks for itself."<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> The amount of sex and nudity in the series, especially in scenes that are incidental to the plot, was the focus of much of the criticism aimed at the series in its [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|first]] and [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second seasons]]. [[Stephen Dillane]], who portrays [[Stannis Baratheon]], likened the series' frequent explicit scenes to "German porn from the 1970s".<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/14/game-of-thrones-stephen-dillane-the-tunnel_n_4595628.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Frost|first=Caroline|title='Game of Thrones' Star Stephen Dillane Admits the Nudity Is Like 'German Porn from the 1970s'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/14/game-of-thrones-stephen-dillane-the-tunnel_n_4595628.html|accessdate=January 16, 2014|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=January 14, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Charlie Anders]] wrote in [[io9]] that while the first season was replete with light-hearted "[[sexposition]]", the second season appeared to focus on distasteful, exploitative, and dehumanizing sex with little informational content.<ref name="io9 2 May 2012">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911064821/http://io9.com/5906540/is-game-of-thrones-gratiutious-sex-worse-than-the-gratuitous-violence |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|title=Is Game of Thrones' gratuitous sex worse than the gratuitous violence?|url=http://io9.com/5906540/is-game-of-thrones-gratiutious-sex-worse-than-the-gratuitous-violence|accessdate=May 2, 2012|work=[[io9]]|date=May 2, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'}}s Anna Holmes, the nude scenes appeared to be aimed mainly at titillating heterosexual men, right down to the Brazilian waxes sported by the women in the series' faux-medieval setting, which made these scenes alienating to other viewers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Holmes|first=Anna|title=Skin is wearing thin on HBO's 'Game of Thrones'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/skin-is-wearing-thin-on-hbos-game-of-thrones/2012/04/26/gIQA4hd6jT_story_1.html|accessdate=May 2, 2012|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 26, 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527173457/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/skin-is-wearing-thin-on-hbos-game-of-thrones/2012/04/26/gIQA4hd6jT_story_1.html|archivedate=May 27, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''[[The Huffington Post]]''{{'}}s Maureen Ryan likewise noted that ''Game of Thrones'' mostly presented women naked, rather than men, and that the excess of "random boobage" undercut any aspirations the series might have to address the oppression of women in a feudal society.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502120407/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-7-recap/ |archivedate=May 2, 2012 |last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title='Game of Thrones' Season 1, Episode 7 Recap|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-7-recap/|accessdate=May 2, 2012|publisher=[[AOL TV]]|date=May 29, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' parodied this aspect of the adaptation in a sketch that portrayed the series as retaining a thirteen-year-old boy as a consultant whose main concern was showing as many breasts as possible.<ref name="io9 2 May 2012" /><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://gawker.com/5902076/snl-explains-the-nudity-in-game-of-thrones |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Toder |first=Matt |title=SNL Explains the Nudity in Game of Thrones |url=http://gawker.com/5902076/snl-explains-the-nudity-in-game-of-thrones |accessdate=May 2, 2012 |publisher=Gawker |date=April 15, 2012 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> In the [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|third season]], which saw [[Theon Greyjoy]] lengthily tortured and eventually [[emasculated]], the series was also criticized for its use of torture.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Orr|first=Christopher|title=Game of Thrones' Worst Scene Yet?|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[New York (magazine)|''New York'' magazine]] called the scene "[[torture porn]]."<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html |title=''Game of Thrones'' Couple of the Week: Tyrion and Shae Are Never Getting Back Together |first=Allison P. |last=David |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=July 17, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Madeleine Davies of ''[[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]]'' agreed, saying, "it's not uncommon that ''Game of Thrones'' gets accused of being torture porn—senseless, [[objectification|objectifying]] violence combined with senseless, objectifying sexual imagery." According to Davies, although the series' violence tended to serve a narrative purpose, Theon's torture in "[[The Bear and the Maiden Fair#In the North|The Bear and the Maiden Fair]]" was excessive.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Madeleine|title=Game of Boners: This Is Torture Porn|url=http://jezebel.com/game-of-boners-this-is-torture-porn-504821180|accessdate=May 17, 2013|newspaper=Jezebel|date=May 13, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Breaker of Chains#Rape scene|A scene]] in the [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|fourth season's]] episode "[[Breaker of Chains]]", in which [[Jaime Lannister]] rapes his sister and lover [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], triggered a broad public discussion about the series' depiction of sexual violence against women. According to Dave Itzkoff of ''[[The New York Times]]'', the scene caused outrage, in part because of comments by director [[Alex Graves]] that the scene became "consensual by the end". Itzkoff also wrote that critics fear that "rape has become so pervasive in the drama that it is almost background noise: a routine and unshocking occurrence".<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/arts/television/for-game-of-thrones-rising-unease-over-rapes-recurring-role.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|title=For 'Game of Thrones,' Rising Unease Over Rape's Recurring Role|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/arts/television/for-game-of-thrones-rising-unease-over-rapes-recurring-role.html|accessdate=May 4, 2014|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 2, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Sonia Saraiya of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' wrote that the series' choice to portray this sexual act, and a similar one between [[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Khal Drogo]] in the first season—both described as consensual in the source novels—as a rape appeared to be an act of "[[Exploitation fiction|exploitation]] for shock value".<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.avclub.com/article/rape-thrones-203499 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|title=Rape of Thrones Why are the Game Of Thrones showrunners rewriting the books into misogyny?|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/rape-thrones-203499|accessdate=April 21, 2014|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=April 20, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season's]] episode "[[Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken]]", [[Sansa Stark]] is raped by [[Ramsay Bolton]]. Most reviewers, including those from ''Vanity Fair'', ''Salon'', ''The Atlantic'', and ''The Daily Beast'', found the scene gratuitous and artistically unnecessary.<ref name="Atlantic" /><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728222832/http://www.salon.com/2015/05/18/heres_why_people_are_so_upset_about_the_latest_game_of_thrones_rape_so_cheap_such_an_obvious_choice_i_felt_offended_as_a_fan/ |archivedate=July 28, 2016 |url=http://www.salon.com/2015/05/18/heres_why_people_are_so_upset_about_the_latest_game_of_thrones_rape_so_cheap_such_an_obvious_choice_i_felt_offended_as_a_fan/|title=Here's why people are so upset about the latest "Game of Thrones" rape: "So cheap, such an obvious choice, I felt offended as a fan" |last=Silman|first=Anna|work=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]|date=May 18, 2015|accessdate=June 26, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513115940/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11608928/Game-of-Thrones-Unbowed-Unbent-Unbroken-season-5-episode-6-review.html |archivedate=May 13, 2016|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11608928/Game-of-Thrones-Unbowed-Unbent-Unbroken-season-5-episode-6-review.html|title=Game of Thrones: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken, season 5 episode 6, review: 'raw emotion'|last=Runcie|first=Charlotte|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=DailyBeast>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/19/the-rape-of-sansa-stark-game-of-thrones-goes-off-book-and-enrages-its-female-fans.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/19/the-rape-of-sansa-stark-game-of-thrones-goes-off-book-and-enrages-its-female-fans.html|title=The Rape of Sansa Stark: 'Game of Thrones' Goes Off-Book and Enrages Its Female Fans|last=Leon|first=Melissa|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=May 19, 2015|accessdate=May 20, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> For example, Joanna Robinson, writing for ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'', said that the scene "undercuts all the agency that's been growing in Sansa since the end of last season."<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/game-of-thrones-rape-sansa-stark |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/game-of-thrones-rape-sansa-stark |title=''Game of Thrones'' Absolutely Did ''Not'' Need to Go There with Sansa Stark |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |first=Joanna |last=Robinson |date=May 17, 2015 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In contrast, Sara Stewart of ''The New York Post'' wondered why viewers were not similarly upset about the many background and minor characters who'd undergone similar or worse treatment.<ref name=NYPost>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://nypost.com/2015/05/19/its-a-stark-reality-outrage-over-sansa-rape-scene-misses-the-point/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://nypost.com/2015/05/19/its-a-stark-reality-outrage-over-sansa-rape-scene-misses-the-point/|title=It's a Stark reality: Outrage over Sansa rape scene misses the point|last=Stewart|first=Sara|work=[[New York Post]]|date=May 19, 2015|accessdate=May 19, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In response to the scene, pop culture website ''[[The Mary Sue]]'' announced that it would cease coverage of the series because of the repeated use of rape as a plot device,<ref name=TheMarySueIsSoDone>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.themarysue.com/we-will-no-longer-be-promoting-hbos-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.themarysue.com/we-will-no-longer-be-promoting-hbos-game-of-thrones/|title= We Will No Longer Be Promoting HBO's Game of Thrones|last=Pantozzi|first=Jill|work=[[The Mary Sue]]|date=May 18, 2015|accessdate=May 20, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and U.S. Senator [[Claire McCaskill]] said that she would no longer watch it.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cillizza|first1=Chris|title=Claire McCaskill is done with ‘Game of Thrones’ after Sunday’s rape scene. She’s got a point.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/05/19/claire-mccaskill-is-done-with-game-of-thrones-after-sundays-rape-scene-shes-got-a-point/|accessdate=August 9, 2017|work=Washington Post|date=May 19, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724150232/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/05/19/claire-mccaskill-is-done-with-game-of-thrones-after-sundays-rape-scene-shes-got-a-point/|archivedate=July 24, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As the sixth and seventh seasons saw Daenerys, Sansa and Cersei assume ruling positions, Alyssa Rosenberg of the ''Washington Post'' noted that the series could be seen as a "long-arc revenge fantasy about what happens when women who have been brutalized and raped gain power"—namely, that their past leaves them too broken to do anything but commit brutal acts in their own turn, and that their personal liberation does not effect the social change needed to protect others from suffering.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Alyssa|title=The arguments about women and power in ‘Game of Thrones’ have never been more unsettling|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/08/09/the-arguments-about-women-and-power-in-game-of-thrones-have-never-been-more-unsettling/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|accessdate=August 9, 2017|work=The Washington Post|date=August 9, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809212138/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/08/09/the-arguments-about-women-and-power-in-game-of-thrones-have-never-been-more-unsettling/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|archivedate=August 9, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ===Fandom=== {{main article|A Song of Ice and Fire fandom}} [[File:The Westeros Wing.jpg|thumb|alt=President Obama sits on the Iron Throne in the Oval Office of the White House, surrounded by other people|In this [[manipulated image]] published by the [[White House]], U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] (a fan of the series) sits on the Iron Throne in the [[Oval Office]] with the king's crown on his lap.]] ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' and ''Game of Thrones'' have a broad, active international [[Fandom|fan base]]. In 2012 ''[[New York (magazine)|Vulture.com]]'' ranked the series' fans as the most devoted in popular culture, more so than [[Lady Gaga]]'s, [[Justin Bieber]]'s, ''[[Harry Potter]]''{{'}}s or ''[[Star Wars]]''{{'}}.<ref name="Vulture October 15, 2012">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html?mid=nymag_press#photo=25x00014 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=The 25 Most Devoted Fan Bases|url=http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html?mid=nymag_press#photo=25x00014|accessdate=October 17, 2012|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=October 15, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Fans include political leaders such as former U.S. president [[Barack Obama]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Shear|first=Michael|title=Obama's TV Picks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html|accessdate=December 29, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 29, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105010138/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones |archivedate=January 5, 2014 |last=Ghahremani |first=Tanya |title=President Obama 'Really Likes' Game of Thrones, In Case You Were Wondering |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones |accessdate=December 30, 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=December 30, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> former British prime minister [[David Cameron]],<ref>{{cite web|title=David Cameron admits he is a 'Throney' and 'huge fan' on Game of Thrones studio tour|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/568919/David-Cameron-Game-of-Thrones-General-Election-2015|work=[[Daily Express]]|first=Victoria|last=Armstrong|date=April 7, 2015|accessdate=April 10, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> former Australian prime minister [[Julia Gillard]]<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716014754/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones |archivedate=July 16, 2013 |last=Taylor|first=Lenore|title=Julia Gillard reveals Game of Thrones addiction|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones|accessdate=May 30, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=May 30, 2013|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426145920/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/07/game-of-thrones-parallels-prime-minister?CMP=twt_gu |archivedate=April 26, 2016|last=Gillard|first=Julia|title=Game of Thrones has parallels with my time as Australian prime minister|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/07/game-of-thrones-parallels-prime-minister?CMP=twt_gu|accessdate=April 7, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 7, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Dutch foreign minister [[Frans Timmermans]], who framed European politics in quotes from Martin's novels in a 2013 speech.<ref>{{cite news|last=Luoma|first=Sarah|title=Dutch foreign minister uses 'Game of Thrones' as political analogy|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|accessdate=November 2, 2016|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=May 31, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20161217132623/http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|archivedate=December 17, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[BBC News]] said in 2013 that "the passion and the extreme devotion of fans" had created a phenomenon unlike anything related to other popular TV series, manifesting itself in [[fan fiction]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903190051/http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/ |archivedate=September 3, 2016 |last=Templeton |first=Molly |title=The best (and the weirdest) of "Game of Thrones" fanfiction |url=http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/ |accessdate=July 6, 2013 |newspaper=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]] |date=June 16, 2013 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ''Game of Thrones''-themed [[burlesque]] routines and parents naming their children after series characters; writers quoted attributed this success to the rich detail, moral ambiguity, sexual explicitness and epic scale of the series and novels.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=de Castella|first=Tom|title=Game of Thrones: Why does it inspire such devotion among fans?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915|accessdate=March 23, 2013|newspaper=[[BBC News Magazine]]|date=March 22, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The previous year, "[[Arya (name)|Arya]]" was the fastest-rising girl's name in the U.S. after it jumped in popularity from 711th to 413th place.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019200832/http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/ |archivedate=October 19, 2014 |last=Carlson|first=Adam|title='Game of Thrones' domination is nearly complete: 'Arya' is the fastest-rising name for baby girls|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 10, 2013|accessdate= May 10, 2013|deadurl=yes}}</ref> In 2013 about 58 percent of series viewers were male and 42 percent female, and the average male viewer was 41 years old.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028183047/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/ |archivedate=October 28, 2014 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' piracy is a compliment|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/|accessdate=April 3, 2013|newspaper=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321142339/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones |archivedate=March 21, 2014 |last=Watercutter|first=Angela|title=Yes, Women Really Do Like Game of Thrones (We Have Proof)|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones/|date=June 3, 2013|accessdate=June 6, 2013|work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to [[SBS Broadcasting Group]] marketing director Helen Kellie, ''Game of Thrones'' has a high fan-engagement rate; 5.5 percent of the series' 2.9&nbsp;million [[Facebook]] fans talked online about the series in 2012, compared to 1.8&nbsp;percent of the more than ten million fans of ''[[True Blood]]'' (HBO's other fantasy series).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206074236/http://www.marketingmag.com.au/blogs/social-is-coming-of-age-in-the-marketing-mix-a-tv-perspective-25975/ |archivedate=December 6, 2014 |last=Kellie|first=Helen|title=Social is coming of age in the marketing mix – a TV perspective|url=http://www.marketingmag.com.au/blogs/social-is-coming-of-age-in-the-marketing-mix-a-tv-perspective-25975/|accessdate=October 29, 2012|newspaper=Marketing magazine|date=October 26, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Vulture.com cited Westeros.org and WinterIsComing.net (news and discussion forums), ToweroftheHand.com (which organizes communal readings of the novels) and Podcastoficeandfire.com as [[fan sites]] dedicated to the TV and novel series;<ref name="Vulture October 15, 2012" /> and [[podcast]]s cover ''Game of Thrones''.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623114614/http://www.geeksugar.com/Game-Thrones-Podcasts-30228595 |archivedate=June 23, 2014 |last=Nguyen|first=Nicole|title=In the Game of Thrones, These Podcasts Play to Win|url=http://www.geeksugar.com/Game-Thrones-Podcasts-30228595|accessdate=May 4, 2013|newspaper=Geeksugar|date=May 3, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Awards and accolades=== {{main article|List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones}} ''Game of Thrones'' has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 38 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s,<ref name="emmys.com"/> 5 [[Screen Actors Guild Award]], and a [[Peabody Award]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601004713/http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php |archivedate=June 1, 2012 |title=Complete List of Recipients of the 71st Annual Peabody Awards|url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php|publisher=Peabody Awards|date=April 4, 2012|accessdate=November 5, 2016}}</ref> It holds the Emmy-award record for a scripted television series, ahead of ''[[Frasier]]'' (which received 37).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/ |title=Game of Thrones Now Has the Most Emmy Wins Ever |first=Eliana |last=Dockterman |date=September 18, 2016 |work=Time |accessdate=September 19, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919042453/http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/ |archivedate=September 19, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2013 the [[Writers Guild of America]] listed ''Game of Thrones'' as the 40th "best written" series in television history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |title='101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List |publisher=[[Deadline.com]] |date=June 2, 2013 |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6H5yn3sZq?url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |archivedate=June 3, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> In 2015 ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' placed it at number four on their "best TV shows ever" list,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363 |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105223813/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363 |archivedate=November 5, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> while in 2016 the show was placed seventh on ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]''{{'s}} "The 50 best TV shows ever".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/ |title=The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104130445/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/ |archivedate=November 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The same year ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named it the twelfth "greatest TV Show of all time".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-w439520/late-night-with-david-letterman-w439627 |title=100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105224622/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-w439520/late-night-with-david-letterman-w439627 |archivedate=November 5, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The 2011 [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|first season]] received 13 nominations (including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]), and won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (given to [[Peter Dinklage]] for his portrayal of [[Tyrion Lannister]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design|Outstanding Main Title Design]]. Other nominations included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Winter Is Coming]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[Baelor]]").<ref name="emmys.com"/> Dinklage was also named Best Supporting Actor at the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe]], [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Satellite]] and [[Scream Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-2012-winners-list-282032 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-2012-winners-list-282032 |title=Golden Globes 2012: The Winners List |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 15, 2012 |accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829120407/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/2011-Scream-Awards-Winners-Vampires-Wizards-Swans-27353.html |archivedate=August 29, 2012 |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/2011-Scream-Awards-Winners-Vampires-Wizards-Swans-27353.html|title=The 2011 Scream Awards Winners: Vampires, Wizards And Swans |publisher=Cinemablend|first=Kelly |last=West |date=June 19, 2011|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318221149/http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/ |archivedate=March 18, 2016 |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/|title=2011 Winners|publisher=[[International Press Academy]]|date=June 19, 2011|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2012, the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]] received six [[64th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards]] from 11 nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage).<ref name="emmys.com"/> The 2013 [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|third season]] received 16 Emmy nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Emilia Clarke]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Diana Rigg]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[The Rains of Castamere]]"), winning two [[65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]].<ref name="emmys.com"/> In 2014 the [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|fourth season]] received four [[66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]] from 19 nominations, which included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Lena Headey]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]] (Rigg), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[The Watchers on the Wall]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[The Children (Game of Thrones)|The Children]]").<ref name="emmys.com"/> The 2015 [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season]] won the most Primetime Emmy Awards for a series in a year (12 awards from 24 nominations), including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]; other wins included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Mother's Mercy]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[Mother's Mercy]]"), and eight were [[67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901192112/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-wins-record-1201598356/ |archivedate=September 1, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-wins-record-1201598356/ |title='Game of Thrones' Sets Record for Most Emmy Wins in a Year |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=September 20, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |accessdate=September 21, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, the [[Game of Thrones (season 6)|sixth season]] received the most nominations for the [[68th Primetime Emmy Awards]] (23). It won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Battle of the Bastards]]"), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("Battle of the Bastards"), and nine [[68th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]]. Nominations included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage and [[Kit Harington]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] (Clarke, Headey and [[Maisie Williams]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series]] ([[Max von Sydow]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[The Door (Game of Thrones)|The Door]]").<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830110843/http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-2016-emmys-nominations-1201814023/ |archivedate=August 30, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-2016-emmys-nominations-1201814023/ |title='Game of Thrones' Rules 2016 Emmy Race With 23 Nominations |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=July 14, 2016 |accessdate=July 14, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> ===Viewer numbers=== The first season averaged 2.5 million viewers for its first Sunday-night screenings and a gross audience (including repeats and on-demand viewings) of 9.3 million viewers per episode.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508025251/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/03/game_of_thrones_how_hbo_and_showtime_make_money_despite_low_ratings_.html |archivedate=May 8, 2016 |last= Thomas|first=June|title=How Much Gold Is Game of Thrones Worth |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/03/game_of_thrones_how_hbo_and_showtime_make_money_despite_low_ratings_.html |date=March 29, 2012 |accessdate=June 5, 2014|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> For its second season, the series had an average gross audience of 11.6 million viewers.<ref>{{cite press |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/04/02/hbo-renews-game-of-thrones-for-fourth-season-100210/20130402hbo01/ |title=HBO Renews 'Game of Thrones' for Fourth Season |publisher=[[HBO]] |date=April 2, 2013 |accessdate=August 23, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The third season was seen by 14.2 million viewers, making ''Game of Thrones'' the second-most-viewed HBO series (after ''[[The Sopranos]]'').<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020132436/http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/game-of-thrones-is-time-warners-cash-cow.html/?a=viewall |archivedate=October 20, 2014 |last=Ritter|first=Dan|title=Game of Thrones is Time Warner's Cash Cow|url=http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/game-of-thrones-is-time-warners-cash-cow.html/?a=viewall|accessdate=August 8, 2013|newspaper=Wall Street Cheat Sheet|date=August 7, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124632/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Adalian|first=Josef|title=For HBO, Game of Thrones Ratings Second Only to The Sopranos|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html|accessdate=June 6, 2013|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=June 8, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> For the fourth season, HBO said that its average gross audience of 18.4 million viewers (later adjusted to 18.6 million) had passed ''The Sopranos'' for the record.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603155225/http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/game-of-thrones-has-become-more-popular-than-the-sopranos-sorta-kinda |archivedate=June 3, 2016 |last= Fienberg|first=Daniel|title='Game of Thrones' has become more popular than 'The Sopranos' sorta kinda |url=http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/game-of-thrones-has-become-more-popular-than-the-sopranos-sorta-kinda |date=June 5, 2014 |accessdate=June 5, 2014|work=[[HitFix]]|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020021930/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616 |archivedate=October 20, 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616 |title='Game of Thrones' draws 7.1 million viewers for blood-filled finale |date=June 16, 2014 |agency=Reuters |first=Piya |last=Sinha-Roy |accessdate=July 13, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> By the sixth season the average per-episode gross viewing figure had increased to over 25 million, with nearly 40 percent of viewers watching on HBO digital platforms.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214019/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-ratings-show-brought-in-251-million-viewers-on-average-per-episode-a7144261.html |archivedate=August 19, 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-ratings-show-brought-in-251-million-viewers-on-average-per-episode-a7144261.html|title=Game of Thrones season 6 ratings: Show brought in 25.1 million viewers on average per episode |first=Jack |last=Shepherd |work=[[The Independent]] |date=July 19, 2016 |accessdate=July 22, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, a ''[[New York Times]]'' study of the 50 TV shows with the most [[Facebook Like]]s found that ''Game of Thrones'' was "much more popular in cities than in the countryside, probably the only show involving zombies that is".<ref name="katz20161227">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html |title='Duck Dynasty' vs. 'Modern Family': 50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide |last=Katz |first=Josh |date=December 27, 2016 |accessdate=December 28, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20170329083111/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html?_r=1 |archivedate=March 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The series set records on pay-television channels in the United Kingdom (with a 2016 average audience of more than five million on all platforms)<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910043635/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/06/game-of-thrones-most-popular-sky-series-ever-as-16m-download-show |archivedate=September 10, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/06/game-of-thrones-most-popular-sky-series-ever-as-16m-download-show |title=Game of Thrones most popular Sky series ever with 5m viewers |first=John |last=Plunkett |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 6, 2016 |accessdate=July 6, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Australia (with a cumulative average audience of 1.2 million).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702083442/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-season-six-finale-sets-australian-audience-record-for-foxtel-20160629-gpu4kj.html |archivedate=July 2, 2016 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-season-six-finale-sets-australian-audience-record-for-foxtel-20160629-gpu4kj.html |title=Game of Thrones season six finale sets Australian audience record for Foxtel |date=June 29, 2016 |first=Michael |last=Idato |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The following graph indicates first-airing viewer numbers in the US: {{Game of Thrones ratings}} ==Other media and products== {{see also|Works based on A Song of Ice and Fire}} ===Video games=== {{main article|List of A Song of Ice and Fire video games}} The series has inspired [[List of A Song of Ice and Fire video games|four video games]] based on the TV series and novels. The strategy game ''[[Game of Thrones Ascent]]'' ties into the HBO series, making characters and settings available to players as they appear on television.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824094356/http://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-ascent-is-more-up-to-date-with-the-sho-476864152 |archivedate=August 24, 2016 |last=Fahey|first=Mike|title=Game of Thrones: Ascent is More Up-to-Date With the Show Than You Are|url=http://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-ascent-is-more-up-to-date-with-the-sho-476864152|accessdate=April 23, 2013|publisher=Kotaku|date=April 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Merchandise and exhibition=== [[File:Game of Thrones merchandise in HBO shop.jpg|thumb|alt=A selection of the show's merchandise|''Game of Thrones'' merchandise in HBO's New York City store]] HBO has licensed a variety of [[Merchandising#Licensing|merchandise]] based on ''Game of Thrones'', including [[A Game of Thrones games|games]], replica weapons and armor, jewelry, [[bobblehead]] dolls by [[Funko]], beer by [[Brewery Ommegang|Ommegang]] and apparel.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429131316/http://www.licensing.biz/brand-profiles/264/Game-of-Thrones |archivedate=April 29, 2016 |last=Sacco|first=Dominic|title=Brand Profiles: Game of Thrones|url=http://www.licensing.biz/brand-profiles/264/Game-of-Thrones|accessdate=June 16, 2013|newspaper=Licensing.biz|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> High-end merchandise includes a $10,500 [[Ulysse Nardin]] wristwatch<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221182759/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch |archivedate=December 21, 2014 |last=Miller|first=Julie|title="Is the $10,500 Game of Thrones Watch Blood-Resistant?" and Our Other Most Pressing Concerns About the Official "Night's" Timepiece|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=May 9, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> and a $30,000 [[resin]] replica of the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129073534/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |last=Miller|first=Julie|title=The Pros and Cons of Owning a $30,000 Game of Thrones Replica Throne|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=June 5, 2012}}</ref> In 2013 and 2014, a traveling exhibition of costumes, props, armor and weapons from the series visited major cities in Europe and the Americas.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html | title=Exhibition | publisher=[[HBO]] | accessdate=February 19, 2013 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222012445/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html | archivedate=February 22, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Accompanying material=== ''[[Thronecast]]: The Official Guide to Game of Thrones'', a series of [[podcast]]s presented by [[Geoff Lloyd]] and produced by Koink, has been released on the [[Sky Atlantic]] website and the UK [[iTunes]] store during the series' run; a new podcast, with analysis and cast interviews, is released after each episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/thronecast-official-fan-show/id429051561|title=Thronecast: The Official Fan Show for Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic HD|date=April 18, 2011|accessdate=April 18, 2012|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417105123/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/thronecast-official-fan-show/id429051561|archivedate=April 17, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2014 and 2015 HBO commissioned ''[[Catch the Throne]]'', two rap albums about the series.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604042838/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142 |archivedate=June 4, 2016 |last=Whelan|first=Robbie|title=Unlikely Mix: Rappers, Dragons and Fantasy: HBO Hires Hip-Hop, Latin-Music Artists to Promote 'Game of Thrones'|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142|accessdate=March 7, 2014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=March 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910094058/http://www.spin.com/2015/03/game-of-thrones-catch-the-throne-2-talib-kweli-stream/ |archivedate=September 10, 2016 |url=http://www.spin.com/2015/03/game-of-thrones-catch-the-throne-2-talib-kweli-stream/ |title=Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli, Mastodon, More To Appear On 'Game of Thrones' Mixtape |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|first=Colin |last=Joyce |date=March 7, 2015 |accessdate=April 4, 2015 |deadurl=no}}</ref> A companion book, ''Inside HBO's Game of Thrones'' ({{ISBN|978-1-4521-1010-3}}) by series writer [[Bryan Cogman]], was published on September 27, 2012. The 192-page book, illustrated with concept art and behind-the-scenes photographs, covers the creation of the series' first two seasons and its principal characters and families.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020211004/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/ |archivedate=October 20, 2014 |last=Edwards|first=Richard|title=Inside HBO's Game Of Thrones by Bryan Cogman REVIEW|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|date=September 21, 2012}}</ref> ''[[After the Thrones]]'' is a [[live television|live]] [[aftershow]] in which hosts [[Andy Greenwald]] and Chris Ryan discuss episodes of the series. It airs on [[HBO Now]] the Monday after each sixth-season episode.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506102116/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo |archivedate=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo|title=HBO orders Game of Thrones weekly after-show from Bill Simmons |last=Snierson |first=Dan |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 4, 2016 |accessdate=April 5, 2016 |deadurl=no}}</ref> The [[Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience]], a 28-city orchestral tour which will perform the series' soundtrack with composer [[Ramin Djawadi]], is scheduled to begin February 15, 2017 in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour|title=Game of Thrones concert experience hits the road in 2017|date=August 8, 2016|accessdate=August 9, 2016|work=[[The Guardian]] |deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Successor series=== After years of speculation about possible [[Spin-off (media)|successor shows]], in May 2017 HBO commissioned five screenwriters – [[Max Borenstein]], [[Jane Goldman]], [[Brian Helgeland]], [[Carly Wray]] and a fifth writer yet to be announced – to develop individual ''Game of Thrones'' successor series. All of the writers are to be working individually with George R. R. Martin.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title='Game of Thrones': Fifth "Successor Show" in the Works at HBO, George R.R. Martin Says|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-fifth-successor-show-works-at-hbo-george-rr-martin-says-1003682|accessdate=May 15, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 14, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515142249/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-fifth-successor-show-works-at-hbo-george-rr-martin-says-1003682|archivedate=May 15, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Martin said that all the concepts under discussion are prequels, and some may be set outside Westeros. He also ruled out Robert's Rebellion (the overthrow of Daenerys's father by Robert Baratheon) as a possible idea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html|title=About Those Spinoffs...|first=George R.R.|last=Martin|date=May 14, 2017|website=Not A Blog|access-date=August 6, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814193454/http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html|archivedate=August 14, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> D. B. Weiss and David Benioff said that they would not be involved with any of the projects, and want to enjoy the successor series as fans.<ref name="finalseason"/> Martin is co-writing two of the four announced scripts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|title='Game of Thrones' Future Explained: Could All the Prequels Move Forward?|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=July 12, 2017|accessdate=July 17, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Game of Thrones}} {{Wikiquote}} {{Wikivoyage|Game of Thrones tourism}} {{portal|Television in the United States|2010s}} * {{official|www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones}} – (United States) * {{official|www.hbouk.com/game-of-thrones}} – (United Kingdom) * {{IMDb title|0944947|Game of Thrones}} * [http://viewers-guide.hbo.com ''Game of Thrones'' Viewers Guide] * [http://www.makinggameofthrones.com Making of Game of Thrones] {{Navboxes |title = Articles related to ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' |list = {{A Song of Ice and Fire}} {{George R. 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Martin}} {{Game of Thrones Episodes}} {{David Benioff}} {{HBONetwork Shows}} }} {{Navboxes |title = Awards for ''Game of Thrones'' |list = {{CriticsChoiceTVBestDramaSeries}} {{EmmyAward DramaSeries}} {{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form}} {{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form}} {{Satellite Award Best Genre Television Series}} {{Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation}} {{TCA Award for Program of the Year}} {{TCA Award for Outstanding New Program}} {{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama}} {{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}} {{ScreenActorsGuildAward StuntEnsembleTelevision}} }} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Game Of Thrones (TV Series)}} [[Category:2010s American drama television series]] [[Category:2010s American television series]] [[Category:2011 American television series debuts]] [[Category:American adventure television series]] [[Category:American drama television series]] [[Category:American fantasy television series]] [[Category:Dark fantasy television series]] [[Category:Dragons in popular culture]] [[Category:English-language television programming]] [[Category:Family saga]] [[Category:Game of Thrones| ]] [[Category:HBO network shows]] [[Category:High fantasy television series]] [[Category:Incest in television]] [[Category:Magic in television]] [[Category:Peabody Award-winning television programs]] [[Category:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series winners]] [[Category:Serial drama television series]] [[Category:Television programs based on novels]] [[Category:Television series about dysfunctional families]] [[Category:Television series with multiple main characters]] [[Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles]] [[Category:Witchcraft in television]]'
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'@@ -1,71 +1,3 @@ -{{pp-pc1|expiry=14:52, October 2, 2017|small=yes}} -{{good article}} -{{about|the television series|the novel in the series A Song of Ice and Fire|A Game of Thrones||A Game of Thrones (disambiguation)}} -{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}} -{{Use American English|date=August 2014}} -{{Infobox television - |show_name = Game of Thrones - |image = Game of Thrones title card.jpg - |genre = {{plainlist| -* [[Fantasy]] -* [[Serial (radio and television)|Serial drama]] -}} - |creator = {{plainlist| -* [[David Benioff]] -* [[D. B. Weiss]] -}} - |based_on = {{Based on|''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''|[[George R. R. Martin]]}} - |starring = <!-- Do not add cast without consensus on the talk page --> see [[List of Game of Thrones characters#Main characters|List of ''Game of Thrones'' characters]] - |theme_music_composer = [[Ramin Djawadi]] - |opentheme = "[[Game of Thrones Theme|Main Title]]" - |composer = Ramin Djawadi - |country = United States - |language = English - |num_seasons = 7 <!-- Only update after a new season begins --> - |num_episodes = <onlyinclude>67</onlyinclude> <!-- Only update after a new episode airs --> - |list_episodes = List of Game of Thrones episodes - |executive_producer = {{plainlist| -* David Benioff -* D. B. Weiss -* [[Carolyn Strauss]] -* Frank Doelger -* [[Bernadette Caulfield]] -* George R. R. Martin -}} - |location = <!-- Per [[WP:OVERLINK]] we do not wikilink the names of countries. --><!-- Try to keep in order of prevalence -->{{plainlist| -* Canada<!-- Footage of Direwolf Ghost for S5E1 and S5E7 filmed in Calgary, digitally inserted into scene --> -* Croatia <!-- King's Landing, Red Keep, Red Waste, Qarth, Meereen --> -* Iceland <!-- Scenes north of the wall --> -* Malta <!-- S1 King's Landing exterior --> -* Morocco <!-- S3 Astapor, Yunkai --> -* Spain <!-- Dorne, Volantis --> -* Northern Ireland <!-- Main shooting location is studios in Belfast, used for most interior scenes. Also used for Winterfell, Castle Black, Vaes Dothrak, Riverrun, Iron Islands. --> -* Scotland <!-- Doune Castle in Scotland used in original pilot episode for exterior shots of Winterfell, with some of them later incorporated into Season 1 Episode 1 --> -* United States <!-- Footage of Bear for S3E7 filmed in LA, digitally inserted into scene --> -}} - |runtime = 50–80 minutes <!-- Shortest: 50:32, longest: 80.00, please update this hidden notice after each episode once runtimes have been calculated. --> - |company = {{plainlist| -* Television 360 -* Grok! Television -* Generator Entertainment -* Startling Television -* Bighead Littlehead -}} - |distributor = [[Warner Bros. Television Distribution]] - |picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[16:9]] [[High-definition television|HDTV]]) - |audio_format = [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 - |first_aired = {{Start date|2011|4|17}} - |last_aired = present - |related = ''[[After the Thrones]]'' <br/> ''[[Thronecast]]'' - |website = http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones - |production_website = http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/ -|channel = [[HBO]] - }} - -'''''Game of Thrones''''' is an <!--HBO is American, thus Game of Thrones is American-->American <!--Awards/nominations do not go here--> [[fantasy]]<!-- Do not add a flavor of fantasy, such as high, epic or medieval fantasy here. Detailed discussion of genre, it it can be cited to reliable sources, belongs in the article body, not the lead sentene. --> [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] television series created by [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]]. It is an adaptation of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', [[George R. R. Martin]]'s series of fantasy novels, the first of which is ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''. It is filmed in [[Belfast]] and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and the United States. The series premiered on [[HBO]] in the United States on April 17, 2011, and its seventh season ended on August 27, 2017. The series will conclude with its eighth season in 2018 or 2019.<ref name="finalseason">{{cite web |url=http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |title=Game of Thrones: HBO clarifies prequels, final seasons plan |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 2, 2017 |accessdate=June 2, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602204015/http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |archivedate=June 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> - -Set on the fictional continents of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|Westeros and Essos]], ''Game of Thrones'' has several plot lines and a large [[ensemble cast]] but centers on three primary [[story arc]]s. The first story arc centers on the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]] of the [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Westeros|Seven Kingdoms]] and follows a web of alliances and conflicts among the dynastic noble families either vying to claim the throne or fighting for independence from the throne. The second story arc focuses on the last descendant of the realm's deposed ruling dynasty, exiled and plotting a return to the throne. The third story arc centers on the longstanding brotherhood charged with defending the realm against the ancient threats of the fierce peoples and legendary creatures that lie far north, and an impending winter that threatens the realm. - -''Game of Thrones'' has attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, international [[Fandom|fan base]]. It has been acclaimed by critics, particularly for its acting, complex characters, story, scope, and production values, although its frequent use of nudity and violence (including sexual violence) has been criticized.<!-- See the "critical reception" section for references. The lead is a summary and as such is normally not footnoted. --> The series has received 38 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] in 2015 and 2016, more than any other primetime scripted television series. Its [[List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones|other awards and nominations]] include three [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation]] (2012–2014), a 2011 [[Peabody Award]], and four nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama]] (2012 and 2015–2017). Of the ensemble cast, [[Peter Dinklage]] has won two [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (2011 and 2015) and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]] (2012) for his performance as [[Tyrion Lannister]]. [[Lena Headey]], [[Emilia Clarke]], [[Kit Harington]], [[Maisie Williams]], [[Diana Rigg]], and [[Max von Sydow]] have also received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for their performances in the series. +GAME OF THRONES IS ONE OF THE BEST FUCKING SHOWS OUT THERE. IT WAS SO MANY NUDE SCENES ITS LIKE WATCHING PORN! =={{anchor|Premise}}Background== '
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Martin]]}}', 17 => ' |starring = <!-- Do not add cast without consensus on the talk page --> see [[List of Game of Thrones characters#Main characters|List of ''Game of Thrones'' characters]]', 18 => ' |theme_music_composer = [[Ramin Djawadi]]', 19 => ' |opentheme = "[[Game of Thrones Theme|Main Title]]"', 20 => ' |composer = Ramin Djawadi', 21 => ' |country = United States', 22 => ' |language = English', 23 => ' |num_seasons = 7 <!-- Only update after a new season begins -->', 24 => ' |num_episodes = <onlyinclude>67</onlyinclude> <!-- Only update after a new episode airs -->', 25 => ' |list_episodes = List of Game of Thrones episodes', 26 => ' |executive_producer = {{plainlist|', 27 => '* David Benioff', 28 => '* D. B. Weiss', 29 => '* [[Carolyn Strauss]]', 30 => '* Frank Doelger', 31 => '* [[Bernadette Caulfield]]', 32 => '* George R. R. Martin', 33 => '}}', 34 => ' |location = <!-- Per [[WP:OVERLINK]] we do not wikilink the names of countries. --><!-- Try to keep in order of prevalence -->{{plainlist|', 35 => '* Canada<!-- Footage of Direwolf Ghost for S5E1 and S5E7 filmed in Calgary, digitally inserted into scene -->', 36 => '* Croatia <!-- King's Landing, Red Keep, Red Waste, Qarth, Meereen -->', 37 => '* Iceland <!-- Scenes north of the wall -->', 38 => '* Malta <!-- S1 King's Landing exterior -->', 39 => '* Morocco <!-- S3 Astapor, Yunkai -->', 40 => '* Spain <!-- Dorne, Volantis -->', 41 => '* Northern Ireland <!-- Main shooting location is studios in Belfast, used for most interior scenes. Also used for Winterfell, Castle Black, Vaes Dothrak, Riverrun, Iron Islands. -->', 42 => '* Scotland <!-- Doune Castle in Scotland used in original pilot episode for exterior shots of Winterfell, with some of them later incorporated into Season 1 Episode 1 -->', 43 => '* United States <!-- Footage of Bear for S3E7 filmed in LA, digitally inserted into scene -->', 44 => '}}', 45 => ' |runtime = 50–80 minutes <!-- Shortest: 50:32, longest: 80.00, please update this hidden notice after each episode once runtimes have been calculated. -->', 46 => ' |company = {{plainlist|', 47 => '* Television 360', 48 => '* Grok! Television', 49 => '* Generator Entertainment', 50 => '* Startling Television', 51 => '* Bighead Littlehead', 52 => '}}', 53 => ' |distributor = [[Warner Bros. Television Distribution]]', 54 => ' |picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[16:9]] [[High-definition television|HDTV]])', 55 => ' |audio_format = [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1', 56 => ' |first_aired = {{Start date|2011|4|17}}', 57 => ' |last_aired = present', 58 => ' |related = ''[[After the Thrones]]'' <br/> ''[[Thronecast]]''', 59 => ' |website = http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones', 60 => ' |production_website = http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/', 61 => '|channel = [[HBO]]', 62 => ' }}', 63 => false, 64 => ''''''Game of Thrones''''' is an <!--HBO is American, thus Game of Thrones is American-->American <!--Awards/nominations do not go here--> [[fantasy]]<!-- Do not add a flavor of fantasy, such as high, epic or medieval fantasy here. Detailed discussion of genre, it it can be cited to reliable sources, belongs in the article body, not the lead sentene. --> [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] television series created by [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]]. It is an adaptation of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', [[George R. R. Martin]]'s series of fantasy novels, the first of which is ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''. It is filmed in [[Belfast]] and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, Spain, and the United States. The series premiered on [[HBO]] in the United States on April 17, 2011, and its seventh season ended on August 27, 2017. The series will conclude with its eighth season in 2018 or 2019.<ref name="finalseason">{{cite web |url=http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |title=Game of Thrones: HBO clarifies prequels, final seasons plan |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 2, 2017 |accessdate=June 2, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602204015/http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/ |archivedate=June 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>', 65 => false, 66 => 'Set on the fictional continents of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|Westeros and Essos]], ''Game of Thrones'' has several plot lines and a large [[ensemble cast]] but centers on three primary [[story arc]]s. The first story arc centers on the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]] of the [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Westeros|Seven Kingdoms]] and follows a web of alliances and conflicts among the dynastic noble families either vying to claim the throne or fighting for independence from the throne. The second story arc focuses on the last descendant of the realm's deposed ruling dynasty, exiled and plotting a return to the throne. The third story arc centers on the longstanding brotherhood charged with defending the realm against the ancient threats of the fierce peoples and legendary creatures that lie far north, and an impending winter that threatens the realm.', 67 => false, 68 => '''Game of Thrones'' has attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, international [[Fandom|fan base]]. It has been acclaimed by critics, particularly for its acting, complex characters, story, scope, and production values, although its frequent use of nudity and violence (including sexual violence) has been criticized.<!-- See the "critical reception" section for references. The lead is a summary and as such is normally not footnoted. --> The series has received 38 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] in 2015 and 2016, more than any other primetime scripted television series. Its [[List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones|other awards and nominations]] include three [[Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation|Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation]] (2012–2014), a 2011 [[Peabody Award]], and four nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama]] (2012 and 2015–2017). Of the ensemble cast, [[Peter Dinklage]] has won two [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (2011 and 2015) and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]] (2012) for his performance as [[Tyrion Lannister]]. [[Lena Headey]], [[Emilia Clarke]], [[Kit Harington]], [[Maisie Williams]], [[Diana Rigg]], and [[Max von Sydow]] have also received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for their performances in the series.' ]
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'GAME OF THRONES IS ONE OF THE BEST FUCKING SHOWS OUT THERE. IT WAS SO MANY NUDE SCENES ITS LIKE WATCHING PORN! =={{anchor|Premise}}Background== {{main article|List of Game of Thrones episodes}} {{See also|A Song of Ice and Fire#Plot synopsis|l1=Synopsis of A Song of Ice and Fire}} [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Weapons.jpg|thumb|alt=Weapons in the series|Power and violence are central themes of ''Game of Thrones'', and the number of weapons made for the series (some of which are shown here) reflects this.]] ===Setting=== {{main article|World of A Song of Ice and Fire}} ''Game of Thrones'' is roughly based on the storylines of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'',<ref name="var">{{cite news |last=Fleming|first=Michael|title =HBO turns 'Fire' into fantasy series|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date =January 16, 2007|accessdate=March 2, 2010|url=http://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/hbo-turns-fire-into-fantasy-series-1117957532/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516224747/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957532?refCatId=14|archivedate=May 16, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Cogman|first=Bryan|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|accessdate=November 6, 2016|date=November 6, 2014|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0|page=4|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|archivedate=November 6, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the continent of Essos. The series chronicles the violent dynastic struggles among the realm's noble families for the Iron Throne, while other families fight for independence from it. It opens with additional threats in the icy North and Essos in the east.<ref name="gotfactsheet">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307150640/http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |title=From HBO |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=July 16, 2010 |publisher=Not a Blog |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |accessdate=March 14, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Showrunner]] David Benioff jokingly suggested "''[[The Sopranos]]'' in [[Middle-earth]]" as ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} [[tagline]], referring to its intrigue-filled plot and dark tone in a fantasy setting of magic and dragons.<ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503185336/http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/47040/ |archivedate=May 3, 2016 |last=Kachka |first=Boris |title=Dungeon Master: David Benioff |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=May 18, 2008 |url= http://nymag.com/arts/books/features/47040/ |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> In a 2012 study of deaths per episode, it ranked second out of 40 recent U.S. TV drama series (with an average of 14).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629182833/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911 |archivedate=June 29, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' Topped by 'Spartacus: Vengeance' as TV's Deadliest Series| url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911|accessdate=May 23, 2012|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 22, 2012| first=Michael| last=O'Connell|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Themes=== {{Main article|Themes in A Song of Ice and Fire}} The series is generally praised for what is perceived as a sort of medieval realism.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Orr |first=David |authorlink=David Orr (journalist) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all |title=Dragons Ascendant: George R. R. Martin and the Rise of Fantasy |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 12, 2011 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6FSBH1FPF?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1& |archivedate=March 28, 2013 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> George R.R. Martin set out to make the story feel more like historical fiction than contemporary fantasy, with less emphasis on magic and sorcery and more on battles, political intrigue, and the characters, believing that magic should be used moderately in the epic fantasy genre.<ref>{{cite web|last=Richards |first=Linda |url=http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |title=January interview: George R.R. Martin |work=[[January Magazine]] |date=January 2001 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ff9Skfe?url=http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |title=His Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: George R. R. Martin Talks ''Game of Thrones'' |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 1, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402184647/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=April 2, 2011 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="themes">{{cite book|last=Cogman|first=Bryan|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|accessdate=November 6, 2016|date=November 6, 2014|publisher=Orion|isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0|page=7|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ|archivedate=November 6, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Martin has stated that "the true horrors of human history derive not from orcs and Dark Lords, but from ourselves."<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> A common theme in the fantasy genre is the battle between [[good and evil]], which Martin says does not mirror the real world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gevers |first=Nick |authorlink=Nick Gevers |url=http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |title=Sunsets of High Renown – An Interview with George R. R. Martin |publisher=Infinity Plus |date=December 2000 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ffA94Sr?url=http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Just like people's capacity for good and for evil in real life, Martin explores the questions of redemption and character change.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402202912/http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/06/10/martin-talks-about-new-series-game-thrones|archivedate=April 2, 2016|url=http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/06/10/martin-talks-about-new-series-game-thrones |title=The battle between good and evil reigns – Martin talks about new series ''Game of Thrones'' |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 11, 2011 |accessdate=August 22, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The show allows the audience to view different characters from their perspective, unlike in many other fantasies, and thus the supposed villains can provide their side of the story.<ref name="themes"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Baum |first=Michele Dula |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/books/04/11/george.rr.martin/index.html |title=''A Song of Ice and Fire'' – Author George R.R. Martin's fantastic kingdoms |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=April 11, 2001 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66fwaYo3j?url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/books/04/11/george.rr.martin/index.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> Benioff said, "George brought a measure of harsh realism to high fantasy. He introduced gray tones into a black-and-white universe."<ref name="themes"/> In early seasons, under the influence of the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' books, main characters were regularly killed off, and this was credited with developing tension among viewers.<ref name="ign 7.7">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/28/game-of-thrones-the-dragon-and-the-wolf-review |title=Game of Thrones: "The Dragon and the Wolf" Review |publisher=IGN |accessdate=August 28, 2017 |date=August 27, 2017 |author=Fowler, Matt}}</ref> Later seasons, however, critics pointed out that certain characters had developed "plot armor", attributing this to the show's deviating from the books and becoming more of a traditional television series.<ref name="ign 7.7"/> The series also reflects the substantial death rates in war.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kirschling |first=Gregory |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20161804,00.html |title=George R.R. Martin answers your questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 27, 2007 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/66ffAO5ka?url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20161804%2C00.html |archivedate=April 4, 2012 |accessdate=August 22, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Boulaziz|first=Louisa|url=http://universitas.no/nyheter/61703/game-of-thrones-is-realistic|title=Game of Thrones is realistic|work=[[Universitas (newspaper)|Universitas]]|date=September 13, 2016|accessdate=May 30, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320101232/http://universitas.no/nyheter/61703/game-of-thrones-is-realistic|archivedate=March 20, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ===Inspirations and derivations=== Although the first season closely follows the events of the first novel, later seasons have made significant changes. According to David Benioff, the show is "about adapting the series as a whole and following the map George laid out for us and hitting the major milestones, but not necessarily each of the stops along the way".<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430065802/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners |archivedate=April 30, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners |title=Game of Thrones showrunners answer burning season 5 questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=March 17, 2015 |accessdate=March 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tom Holland of ''[[The Guardian]]'' believes that the novels and their adaptations base aspects of their settings, characters, and plot on events in European history.<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629202416/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history |archivedate=June 29, 2013 |last=Holland|first=Tom|title=Game of Thrones is more brutally realistic than most historical novels|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history|accessdate=March 24, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 24, 2013|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> Most of Westeros is reminiscent of [[high medieval]] Europe, from lands and cultures,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 27, 2013 |last=Mund |first=Lucas |title=Are the Lands of Westeros Inspired by Real-Life Countries? |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/03/27/game_of_thornes_are_the_kingdoms_of_westeros_inspired_by_real_life_countries.html |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |accessdate=February 9, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211082840/http://www.slate.com/blogs/quora/2013/03/27/game_of_thornes_are_the_kingdoms_of_westeros_inspired_by_real_life_countries.html |archivedate=February 11, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> to the palace intrigue, [[Feudalism|feudal system]], castles, and knightly tournaments. A principal inspiration for the novels is the English [[Wars of the Roses]]<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722135616/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all |archivedate=July 22, 2016 |last=Orr|first=David|title=Dragons Ascendant: George R. R. Martin and the Rise of Fantasy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/books/review/george-r-r-martin-and-the-rise-of-fantasy.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=March 24, 2013|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 12, 2011| quote=Martin's books are essentially the War of the Roses with magic|deadurl=no}}</ref> (1455–85) between the houses of [[House of Lancaster|Lancaster]] and [[House of York|York]], reflected in Martin's houses of [[Lannister]] and [[Characters in A Song of Ice and Fire#House Stark|Stark]]. The scheming [[Cersei Lannister]] evokes [[Isabella of France|Isabella]], the "she-wolf of France" (1295–1358);<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013" /> Isabella and her family (particularly as portrayed in [[Maurice Druon]]'s historical-novel series, ''[[The Accursed Kings]]'') were also a main inspiration for Martin.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721223613/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993 |archivedate=July 21, 2016 |last=Milne|first=Ben|title=Game of Thrones: The cult French novel that inspired George RR Martin|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993|work=[[BBC News Magazine]]| accessdate=April 6, 2014|date=April 4, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Holland further proposes that other historical antecedents of series elements include [[Hadrian's Wall]] (which becomes Martin's Wall), the legend of [[Atlantis]] (ancient [[Valyria]]), Byzantine [[Greek fire]] ("wildfire"), Icelandic [[saga]]s of the [[Viking Age]] (the [[Ironborn]]), the [[Mongol invasions and conquests|Mongol hordes]] (the [[Dothraki Sea|Dothraki]]), the [[Hundred Years' War]] (1337–1453) and the [[Italian Renaissance]] (c. 1400–1500).<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013"/> The series' popularity has been attributed, in part, to Martin's skill at fusing these elements into a seamless, credible version of [[alternate history]].<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013" /> Martin acknowledges, "I take [history] and I file off the serial numbers and I [[up to eleven|turn it up to 11]]."<ref>{{cite news|last=Lipscomb|first=Suzannah|title=Game of Thrones has hacked our history|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/23/game-of-thrones-hacked-history-britains-bloody-past|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 23, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808193639/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/apr/23/game-of-thrones-hacked-history-britains-bloody-past|archivedate=August 8, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ==Cast and characters== {{main article|List of Game of Thrones characters}} [[File:Peter Dinklage by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|alt=Peter Dinklage|upright=0.7|[[Peter Dinklage]] ([[Tyrion Lannister]]) has led the principal cast since season two]] ''Game of Thrones'' has an [[ensemble cast]] estimated to be the largest on television;<ref name="hibberd1">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105005619/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/ |archivedate=January 5, 2015 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' scoop: Season 3 character list revealed – EXCLUSIVE|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/|accessdate=March 5, 2013|date=May 29, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> during its third season, 257 cast names were recorded.<ref name="Making">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306120407/http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2012/11/2/season-3-by-the-numbers.html |archivedate=March 6, 2013 |title=Season 3: by the Numbers |url=http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2012/11/2/season-3-by-the-numbers.htm |publisher=Making Game of Thrones |accessdate=November 3, 2012 |date=November 2, 2012}}</ref> In 2014, several actor contracts were renegotiated to include a seventh-season option, with raises which reportedly made them among the highest-paid performers on [[Cable television|cable TV]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813105026/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314 |archivedate=August 13, 2016 |last1=Belloni|first1=Matthew|last2=Goldberg|first2=Lesley|title='Game of Thrones' Cast Signs for Season 7 with Big Raises|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314|accessdate=October 31, 2014|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=October 30, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, it was reported that several actor contracts were again renegotiated, with five of the main cast members having increased their salary to £2 million per episode for the last two seasons, which would make them the [[List of highest paid American television stars|highest paid actors on television]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425052433/http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/795123/Game-of-Thrones-stars-to-be-paid-millions |archivedate=April 25, 2017|url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/795123/Game-of-Thrones-stars-to-be-paid-millions|title=Game Of Thrones season 7: Stars set to earn £2 Million per episode|work=[[Daily Express]]|last=Parker|first=Mike|date=April 25, 2017|accessdate=April 25, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-actors-salary-net-worth-pay-million-hbo-per-episode-a7700506.html|title=Game of Thrones season 7: Actors 'set to earn £2million per episode', making them highest-paid ever|work=[[The Independent]]|last=Hooton|first=Christopher|date=April 25, 2017|accessdate=April 25, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425052433/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-actors-salary-net-worth-pay-million-hbo-per-episode-a7700506.html|archivedate=April 25, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The main cast is listed below.<ref>{{cite press |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027172331/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=101453 |archivedate=October 27, 2014 |title=More Details on the Return of ''Game of Thrones''|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=101453|publisher=[[HBO]] (via ComingSoon.net)|accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Lord [[Ned Stark|Eddard "Ned" Stark]] ([[Sean Bean]]) is the head of House Stark, whose members are involved in plot lines throughout most of the series. He and his wife, [[Catelyn Tully]] ([[Michelle Fairley]]), have five children: [[Robb Stark|Robb]] ([[Richard Madden]]), the eldest, followed by [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] ([[Sophie Turner]]), [[Arya Stark|Arya]] ([[Maisie Williams]]), [[Bran Stark|Bran]] ([[Isaac Hempstead-Wright]]) and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]] ([[Art Parkinson]]), the youngest. Ned's [[Legitimacy (family law)|illegitimate]] son [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]] ([[Kit Harington]]) and his friend, [[Samwell Tarly]] ([[John Bradley-West|John Bradley]]), serve in the [[Night's Watch]] under Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] ([[James Cosmo]]). The Wildlings living north of the Wall include young [[Gilly (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Gilly]] ([[Hannah Murray]]), and warriors [[Tormund Giantsbane]] ([[Kristofer Hivju]]) and [[Ygritte]] ([[Rose Leslie]]).<ref name="hbo cast">{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew#/ |title=Game of Thrones: Cast |publisher=[[HBO]] |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew#/ |archivedate=September 1, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Others associated with House Stark include Ned's ward [[Theon Greyjoy]] ([[Alfie Allen]]), his [[vassal]] [[Roose Bolton]] ([[Michael McElhatton]]), and Bolton's bastard son, [[Ramsay Snow]] ([[Iwan Rheon]]). Robb falls in love with the healer [[Talisa Maegyr]] ([[Oona Chaplin]]), and Arya befriends blacksmith's apprentice [[Gendry]] ([[Joe Dempsie]]) and assassin [[Jaqen H'ghar]] ([[Tom Wlaschiha]]). The tall warrior [[Brienne of Tarth]] ([[Gwendoline Christie]]) serves Catelyn and, later, Sansa.<ref name="hbo cast"/> In King's Landing, the capital, Ned's friend King [[Robert Baratheon]] ([[Mark Addy]]) shares a loveless marriage with [[Cersei Lannister]] ([[Lena Headey]]) – who has taken her twin brother, the Kingslayer Ser [[Jaime Lannister]]<!-- Yes, it's spelled with an 'E'. It's Ser, not Sir --> ([[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]]), as her lover. She loathes her younger brother, the dwarf [[Tyrion Lannister]] ([[Peter Dinklage]]), who is attended by his mistress [[Shae (character)|Shae]] ([[Sibel Kekilli]]) and the [[mercenary]], or 'sellsword', [[Bronn (character)|Bronn]] ([[Jerome Flynn]]). Cersei's father is Lord [[Tywin Lannister]] ([[Charles Dance]]). Cersei also has two young sons<!--Do not list Myrcella here, this section is for main characters - the actress Nell Tiger Free was only ever recurring-->: [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] ([[Jack Gleeson]]) and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] ([[Dean-Charles Chapman]])<!--Do not list Myrcella here, this section is for main characters - the actress Nell Tiger Free was only ever recurring-->. Joffrey is guarded by the scar-faced warrior, [[Sandor Clegane|Sandor "the Hound" Clegane]] ([[Rory McCann]]).<ref name="hbo cast"/> The king's Small Council of advisors includes crafty Master of Coin Lord [[Petyr Baelish|Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish]] ([[Aidan Gillen]]) and [[eunuch]] spymaster Lord [[Varys]] ([[Conleth Hill]]). Robert's brother, [[Stannis Baratheon]] ([[Stephen Dillane]]), is advised by foreign priestess [[Melisandre]] ([[Carice van Houten]]) and former smuggler Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] ([[Liam Cunningham]]). The wealthy Tyrell family is primarily represented at court by [[Margaery Tyrell]] ([[Natalie Dormer]]). [[The High Sparrow]] ([[Jonathan Pryce]]) is the capital's principal religious leader. In the southern principality of Dorne, [[Ellaria Sand]] ([[Indira Varma]]) seeks vengeance against the Lannisters.<ref name="hbo cast"/> Across the Narrow Sea, siblings [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] ([[Harry Lloyd]]) and [[Daenerys Targaryen]] ([[Emilia Clarke]]) – the exiled children of the last king of the original ruling dynasty, who was overthrown by Robert Baratheon – are running for their lives and trying to win back the throne. Daenerys has been married to [[Khal Drogo]] ([[Jason Momoa]]), the leader of the nomadic Dothraki. Her retinue includes exiled knight Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] ([[Iain Glen]]), her aide [[Missandei]] ([[Nathalie Emmanuel]]) and the sellsword [[Daario Naharis]] ([[Michiel Huisman]]).<ref name="hbo cast"/> ==Production== ===Conception and development=== [[File:D. B. Weiss and David Benioff.jpg|thumb|alt=D. B. Weiss and David Benioff|Showrunners D. B. Weiss and David Benioff created the series, wrote most of its episodes and directed several.]] In January 2006, David Benioff had a phone conversation with George R. R. Martin's literary agent about the books he represented, and became interested in ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' as he had been a fan of fantasy fiction when young but had not read the books before. The literary agent then sent the first four books of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' to Benioff.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&lpg=PT15#v=onepage&q&f=false|title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones|first=Bryan|last=Cogman|publisher=Gollancz|date=November 6, 2014|asin=B00P187U0Y|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219212618/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT15&lpg=PT15#v=onepage&q&f=false|archivedate=December 19, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Benioff read a few hundred pages of the first novel, ''A Game of Thrones'', shared his enthusiasm with D. B. Weiss and suggested that they adapt Martin's novels into a television series; Weiss finished the first novel in "maybe 36 hours".<ref>{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Elvis|title=UpClose: Game of Thrones with David Benioff and D. B. Weiss (Full Length)|url=https://soundcloud.com/kcrw/upclose-game-of-thrones-with|accessdate=May 15, 2013|publisher=[[KCRW]]|date=May 8, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019093107/https://soundcloud.com/kcrw/upclose-game-of-thrones-with|archivedate=October 19, 2013|df=mdy-all}} At about 2:50.</ref> They [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitched]] the series to HBO after a five-hour meeting with Martin (a veteran screenwriter) in a restaurant on [[Santa Monica Boulevard]]. According to Benioff, they won Martin over with their answer to his question, "[[Jon Snow (character)#Parentage|Who is Jon Snow's mother?]]"<ref name="variety 2"/> {{quote box |width=30em |bgcolor=White |align=left |quote=I had worked in Hollywood myself for about 10 years, from the late '80s to the '90s. I'd been on the staff of ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'' and ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1987 TV series)|Beauty and the Beast]]''. All of my first drafts tended to be too big or too expensive. I always hated the process of having to cut. I said, 'I'm sick of this, I'm going to write something that's as big as I want it to be, and it's going to have a cast of characters that go into the thousands, and I'm going to have huge castles, and battles, and dragons.|source=—George R. R. Martin, author<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011"/>}} Before being approached by Benioff and Weiss, Martin had had other meetings with other scriptwriters, most of them wanting to turn it into a feature film. Martin however deemed it "unfilmable" and impossible to be done as a feature film, stating that the size of one of his novels is as long as ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', which had been adapted as three feature films.<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011"/> Similarly, Benioff also said that it would be impossible to turn the novels into a feature film as the scale of the novels is too big for a feature film and dozens of characters would have to be discarded. Benioff added, "a fantasy movie of this scope, financed by a major studio, would almost certainly need a PG-13 rating. That means no sex, no blood, no profanity. Fuck that."<ref name="themes"/> Martin himself was pleased with the suggestion that they adapt it as an HBO series, saying that he "never imagined it anywhere else".<ref name="long_story_short">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725153103/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/video/long-story-short |archivedate=July 25, 2016|url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/video/long-story-short|title=HBO's 'Game of Thrones': Long Story Short |publisher=[[HBO]]|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> "I knew it couldn't be done as a network television series. It's too adult. The level of sex and violence would never have gone through."<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412142746/http://ew.com/article/2011/04/04/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-r-r-martin/|archivedate=April 12, 2017|url=http://ew.com/article/2011/04/04/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-r-r-martin/|title='Game of Thrones': George R. R. Martin talks HBO show|date=April 4, 2011|first=Jennifer|last=Armstrong|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no}}</ref> The series began development in January 2007.<ref name="var"/> HBO acquired the TV rights to the novels, with Benioff and Weiss as its executive producers, and Martin as a co-executive producer. The intention was for each novel to yield a season's worth of episodes.<ref name="var"/> Initially, Martin would write one episode per season while Benioff and Weiss would write the rest of the episodes.<ref name="var"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918180445/http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/32275-hello-from-benioff-and-weiss/page__st__40__p__1593863 |archivedate=September 18, 2013 |last=Benioff |first=David |author2=D. Weiss |title=Hello from Benioff and Weiss |work= A Song of Ice and Fire |publisher=Westeros |date=November 19, 2008 |url= http://asoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/topic/32275-hello-from-benioff-and-weiss/page__st__40__p__1593863|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Jane Espenson]] and Bryan Cogman were later added to write one episode apiece the first season.<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> The first and second drafts of the [[pilot episode|pilot]] script by Benioff and Weiss were submitted in August 2007<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030137/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Hudson |first=Laura |title=Talking with George R. R. Martin Part 2 |work=[[Publishers Weekly]] |date=August 14, 2007 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and June 2008,<ref name="NOB">{{cite web |title=Ice & Fire on HBO |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=June 13, 2008 |publisher=Not a Blog |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/2008/06/13/ |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20120701004154/http://grrm.livejournal.com/2008/06/13/ |archivedate=July 1, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> respectively. Although HBO liked both drafts,<ref name="NOB"/><ref name="ewq&a">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017021658/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20161804%2C00.html |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |last=Kirschling |first=Gregory |title=George R.R. Martin answers your questions |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 27, 2007 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20161804,00.html |accessdate=March 13, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> a pilot was not ordered until November 2008;<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023128/http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |archivedate=October 16, 2014 |title=HBO orders fantasy pilot ''Thrones'' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Jame |last=Hibberd |date=November 11, 2008 |url=http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |accessdate=June 5, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] may have delayed the process.<ref name="ewq&a"/> The pilot episode, "[[Winter Is Coming]]", was first shot in 2009; after a poor reception in a private viewing, HBO demanded an extensive re-shoot (about 90 percent of the episode, with cast and directorial changes).<ref name="variety 2">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825210144/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-ending-season-5-producers-interview-1201469516/ |archivedate=August 25, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-ending-season-5-producers-interview-1201469516/ |title='Game of Thrones' Creators: We Know How It's Going to End |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 15, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20160615202502/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/game-of-thrones-original-pilot-bad |archivedate=June 15, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/game-of-thrones-original-pilot-bad |title=Game of Thrones Show-Runners Get Extremely Candid About Their Original "Piece of Sh—t" Pilot |date=February 3, 2016 |first= Joanna |last=Robinson |work= [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> The pilot reportedly cost HBO $5–10 million to produce,<ref>{{cite news| last=Hibberd |first=James |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' dailies 'look fantastic' |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-fantastic-52924 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120602120504/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-fantastic-52924 |archivedate=June 2, 2012 |date=January 14, 2010 |accessdate=July 24, 2010}}</ref> while the first season's budget was estimated at $50–60 million.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-by-numbers-178659 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-by-numbers-178659|title='Game of Thrones' by The Numbers|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=April 14, 2011|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=April 14, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the second season, the show received a 15-percent budget increase for the climactic battle in "[[Blackwater (Game of Thrones)|Blackwater]]" (which had an $8 million budget).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2014/04/07/game_of_thrones_hbo_season_2_s_blackwater_cost_8_million.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/business_insider/2014/04/07/game_of_thrones_hbo_season_2_s_blackwater_cost_8_million.html|title=How HBO Let Game of Thrones Make an $8 Million Episode|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|first=Frank|last=Pallotta|date=April 7, 2012|accessdate=March 14, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101132101/http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/ |archivedate=January 1, 2015 |title=This Week's Cover: 'Game of Thrones,' the battle to make season 2 epic|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/|accessdate=March 18, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 14, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Between 2012 and 2015, the average budget per episode increased from $6 million<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.eonline.com/news/318306/holy-flaming-warships-how-expensive-is-game-of-thrones-anyway |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/318306/holy-flaming-warships-how-expensive-is-game-of-thrones-anyway|title=Holy Flaming Warships! How Expensive Is Game of Thrones, Anyway?|publisher=[[E!]]|first=Leslie|last=Gornstein|date=May 28, 2012|accessdate=March 14, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> to "at least" $8 million.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602111711/http://www.ew.com/microsites/longform/got/ |archivedate=June 2, 2016 |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title='Game of Thrones': EW spends 240 hours in Westeros |url=http://www.ew.com/microsites/longform/got/ |accessdate=April 1, 2015 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 2015 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> The sixth-season budget was over $10 million per episode, for a season total of over $100 million and a series record.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402013700/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/game-of-thrones/news/a788677/game-of-thrones-season-6-costs-a-lot-per-episode-budget-revealed/ |archivedate=April 2, 2016 |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/game-of-thrones/news/a788677/game-of-thrones-season-6-costs-a-lot-per-episode-budget-revealed/ |title=Game of Thrones season 6 costs A LOT per episode: The HBO fantasy epic's massive budget is revealed |first=Ben |last=Lee |date=March 30, 2016 |publisher=[[Digital Spy]] |accessdate=April 1, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ===Casting=== [[Nina Gold]] and Robert Sterne are the series' primary casting directors.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-casting-director-nina-gold-bafta-award-1201733675/ |title='Game of Thrones' Casting Director Nina Gold to Receive BAFTA Award |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=April 15, 2016 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808020522/http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-casting-director-nina-gold-bafta-award-1201733675/ |archivedate=August 8, 2016 |accessdate=March 18, 2016 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> Through a process of auditions and readings, the main cast was assembled. The only exceptions were [[Peter Dinklage]] and [[Sean Bean]], whom the writers wanted from the start; they were announced as joining the [[Winter is Coming|pilot]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news| title = Two will play HBO's 'Game' | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date = May 5, 2009 |last=Andreeva|first=Nellie| url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30b29365238b3652e08e2efdc7f0af62 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509074111/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30b29365238b3652e08e2efdc7f0af62 |archivedate=May 9, 2009|accessdate=May 12, 2009}}</ref><ref name="reuters5cast">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106205031/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/20/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 |archivedate=November 6, 2015 |author1=Kit, Borys |author2=Andreeva, Nellie | title = Sean Bean ascends to "Game of Thrones" |agency=Reuters | date =July 19, 2009 | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/20/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 | accessdate =July 20, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> Other actors signed for the pilot were [[Kit Harington]] as [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]], [[Jack Gleeson]] as [[Joffrey Baratheon]], [[Harry Lloyd]] as [[Viserys Targaryen]] and [[Mark Addy]] as [[Robert Baratheon]].<ref name="reuters5cast"/><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=A Casting We Will Go |work=Not A Blog |publisher=LiveJournal |date=July 19, 2009 |accessdate=July 20, 2009 |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/95840.html |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Addy was, according to showrunners Benioff and Weiss, the easiest actor to cast for the show, being that his audition was on point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nerdist.com/what-we-learned-from-game-of-thrones-sxsw-panel-and-what-it-might-mean/|title=What We Learned From Game Of Thrones' SXSW Panel, and What It Might Mean|publisher=[[Nerdist Industries]]|first=Michael|last=Walsh|date=March 12, 2017|accessdate=April 12, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402080955/http://nerdist.com/what-we-learned-from-game-of-thrones-sxsw-panel-and-what-it-might-mean/|archivedate=April 2, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Catelyn Stark]] was scheduled to be played by [[Jennifer Ehle]], but the role was recast with [[Michelle Fairley]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 | last = Sepinwall | first = Alan | title = 'Game of Thrones' recasting: Ehle out, Fairley in | publisher=[[HitFix]] | date = March 19, 2010 | url = http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |accessdate=February 24, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Daenerys Targaryen]] was also recast, with [[Emilia Clarke]] replacing [[Tamzin Merchant]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803070636/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 3, 2016 | last =Ryan | first =Maureen | title = Exclusive: 'Game of Thrones' recasts noble role |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date =May 21, 2010 |accessdate=February 24, 2013| url = http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/153995.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |title=A New Daenerys |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=May 21, 2010 |work=Not A Blog |publisher=LiveJournal |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/153995.html |accessdate=February 24, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The rest of the first season's cast was filled in the second half of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 17, 2016 |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |title=The 'Games' afoot: HBO's 'Game of Thrones' gears up |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |date=October 13, 2009 |accessdate=August 29, 2016 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although many of the first-season cast were set to return, the producers had a large number of new characters to cast for the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]]. Due to this, Benioff and Weiss postponed the introduction of several key characters and merged several characters into one or assigned plot functions to different characters.<ref name="hibberd1"/> ===Writing=== [[File:George R.R. Martin at Archipelacon.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=George R. R. Martin|George R. R. Martin, author of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', is a series co-[[executive producer]] and wrote one episode for each of the first four seasons.]] ''Game of Thrones'' used seven writers in six seasons. Series creators [[David Benioff]] and [[D. B. Weiss]], the showrunners, write most of the episodes each season.<ref name="observer">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903222758/http://observer.com/2015/04/blood-caffeine-sex-magic-how-game-of-thrones-gets-written/ |archivedate=September 3, 2016 |url=http://observer.com/2015/04/blood-caffeine-sex-magic-how-game-of-thrones-gets-written/ |title=Blood Caffeine Sex Magic: How 'Game of Thrones' Gets Written |work=[[New York Observer]] |first=Sean T. |last=Collins |date=April 2, 2015 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' author [[George R. R. Martin]] wrote one episode in each of the first four seasons. Martin did not write an episode for the later seasons, since he wanted to focus on completing the sixth novel (''[[The Winds of Winter]]'').<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/30/george-rr-martin-not-writing-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/30/george-rr-martin-not-writing-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode |title=George R. R. Martin Not Writing Game of Thrones Season 6 Episode |publisher=[[IGN]] |first=Luke |last=Karmali |date=March 30, 2015 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Jane Espenson]] co-wrote one first-season episode as a [[freelance writer]].<ref name="espenson">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |title=HBO's 'Game of Thrones': The 'Buffy' and 'Battlestar' connection |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |first=Maureen |last=Ryan |date=March 16, 2010 |accessdate=April 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Bryan Cogman]], initially a script coordinator for the series,<ref name="espenson"/> was promoted to producer for the fifth season. Cogman, who wrote at least one episode for the first five seasons, is the only other writer in the writers' room with Benioff and Weiss. Before his promotion, [[Vanessa Taylor]] (a writer during the second and third seasons) worked closely with Benioff and Weiss. [[Dave Hill (screenwriter)|Dave Hill]] joined the writing staff for the fifth season after working as an assistant to Benioff and Weiss.<ref name="vanity fair">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101102954/http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |archivedate=January 1, 2015 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |title=The Surprising Connection Between ''Game of Thrones'' and ''Monty Python'' |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=March 24, 2014 |accessdate=September 7, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although Martin is not in the writers' room, he reads the script outlines and makes comments.<ref name="observer"/> Benioff and Weiss sometimes assign characters to particular writers; for example, Cogman was assigned to Arya Stark for the fourth season. The writers spend several weeks writing a character outline, including what material from the novels to use and the overarching themes. After these individual outlines are complete, they spend another two to three weeks discussing each main character's individual arc and arranging them episode by episode.<ref name="observer"/> A detailed outline is created, with each of the writers working on a portion to create a script for each episode. Cogman, who wrote two episodes for the fifth season, took a month and a half to complete both scripts. They are then read by Benioff and Weiss, who make notes, and parts of the script are rewritten. All ten episodes are written before filming begins, since they are filmed out of order with two [[film crew|units]] in different countries.<ref name="observer"/> Benioff and Weiss write each of their episodes together, with one of them writing the first half of the script and the other the second half. After that they begin with passing the drafts back and forth to make notes and rewrite parts of it.<ref name="long_story_short"/> ===Adaptation schedule=== Benioff and Weiss originally intended to adapt the entire, still-incomplete ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of novels for television.{{citation needed|reason=This was originally written in the present simple, with no date. The source cited in the following sentence does not support either this version or the more probable "originally intended" version I just changed it to.|date=August 2017}} After ''Game of Thrones'' began outpacing the published novels in the sixth season, the series was based on a plot outline of the future novels provided by Martin<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621094105/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books |archivedate=June 21, 2016 |last=Robinson|first=Joanna|title=Game of Thrones Creators Confirm the Show Will Spoil the Books|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books|accessdate=March 23, 2015|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=March 22, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and original content. In April 2016, the showrunners' plan was to shoot 13 more episodes after the sixth season: seven episodes in the seventh season and six episodes in the eighth.<ref name="seasons 7 and 8">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |title='Game of Thrones' Creators Mull Shorter Final Seasons (EXCLUSIVE) |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 14, 2016 |accessdate=April 28, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Later that month, the series was renewed for a seventh season with a seven-episode order.<ref name="HBO confirms">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7|title=Game of Thrones: HBO announces summer return, 7 episodes|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=July 18, 2016|accessdate=July 18, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="s7 renewed">{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/ |title='Game of Thrones' Picked Up For Season 7, 'Veep' & 'Silicon Valley' Also Renewed By HBO|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=April 21, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826043921/http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/|archivedate=August 26, 2016 |work=Deadline|accessdate=April 21, 2016|deadurl=no|df=}}</ref> {{As of|2017}}, seven seasons have been ordered and filmed, adapting the novels at a rate of about 48 seconds per page for the first three seasons.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610070743/http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/apr/06/game-of-thrones-how-does-the-tv-series-compare-to-the-books|archivedate=June 10, 2016|last=Scott|first=Patrick|title=Game of Thrones: how does the TV series compare to the books?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/apr/06/game-of-thrones-how-does-the-tv-series-compare-to-the-books|accessdate=April 6, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 6, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="width:8%" | Season ! style="width:10%" | Ordered ! style="width:15%" | Filming ! style="width:11%" | First aired ! style="width:11%" | Last aired ! Novel(s) adapted ! Refs |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|Season 1]] | March 2, 2010 | Second half of 2010 | April 17, 2011 | June 19, 2011 | ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title=HBO picks up 'Game of Thrones'; first picture, cast list|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html|accessdate=May 15, 2012|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 2, 2010|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|Season 2]] | April 19, 2011 | Second half of 2011 | April 1, 2012 | June 3, 2012 | ''[[A Clash of Kings]]'' and some early chapters from ''[[A Storm of Swords]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Hibberd|first=James|title=HBO renews 'Game of Thrones' for second season!|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=April 19, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://io9.gizmodo.com/5915744/10-best-changes-game-of-thrones-made-to-a-clash-of-kings |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/5915744/10-best-changes-game-of-thrones-made-to-a-clash-of-kings |title=10 Best Changes ''Game of Thrones'' Made to ''A Clash of Kings'' |publisher=[[Gizmodo]] |first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders |date=June 5, 2012 |accessdate=January 3, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|Season 3]] | April 10, 2012 | July – November 2012 | March 31, 2013 | June 9, 2013 | About the first two-thirds of ''A Storm of Swords'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=O'Connell|first=Michael|title='Game of Thrones' Renewed for Season 3|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate=July 19, 2015|date=April 10, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners on season 2, splitting Book 3 and their hope for a 70-hour epic|page=3|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2|accessdate=April 10, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630212435/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_4_writer_bryan_cogman_on_tyrions_trial_book_deviations_and_that_white_walker-2014-05 |archivedate=June 30, 2015|url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_4_writer_bryan_cogman_on_tyrions_trial_book_deviations_and_that_white_walker-2014-05 |title='Game of Thrones' Season 4: Writer Bryan Cogman breaks down Tyrion's trial, book deviations and that White Walker scene |work=[[Zap2it]] |first=Terri |last=Schwartz |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=May 17, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|Season 4]] | April 2, 2013 | July – November 2013 | April 6, 2014 | June 15, 2014 | The remaining one-third of ''A Storm of Swords'' and some elements from ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'' and ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' | align="center"| <ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009040900/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/ |archivedate=October 9, 2014 |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title='Game of Thrones' renewed for season 4|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=April 2, 2013|accessdate=April 2, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|title=What Will Happen in Season 4 of ''Game of Thrones''?|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html|accessdate=February 7, 2014|work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=June 11, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|Season 5]] |rowspan="2"|April 8, 2014 | July – December 2014 | April 12, 2015 | June 14, 2015 | ''A Feast for Crows'', ''A Dance with Dragons'' and original content, with some late chapters from ''A Storm of Swords'' and elements from ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' | align="center"| <ref name="Season 5 & 6">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6|title=Game of Thrones Renewed for Season 5 and Season 6|last=Goldman|first=Eric|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=April 8, 2014|accessdate=April 8, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Game of Thrones Season 5: Inside the Episode #9 (HBO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |access-date=June 9, 2015 |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=June 7, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608054353/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |archivedate=June 8, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112065324/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/18/game-of-thrones-season-5/ |archivedate=January 12, 2015 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners talk season 5: 'There will be Dorne'|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/18/game-of-thrones-season-5/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=June 18, 2014|accessdate=June 18, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415115215/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/12/why-season-5-of-game-of-thrones-is-the-most-important-yet-for-hbo/ |archivedate=April 15, 2015 |last=Kain |first=Erik |title=Why Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' Is The Most Important Yet For HBO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/12/why-season-5-of-game-of-thrones-is-the-most-important-yet-for-hbo/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 12, 2015 |accessdate=April 13, 2015 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones Episodes: EP510: Mother's Mercy|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy|publisher=Westeros.org|accessdate=June 18, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617184145/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy|archivedate=June 17, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 6)|Season 6]] | July – December 2015 | April 24, 2016 | June 26, 2016 | Original content and outline from ''The Winds of Winter'', with some late elements from ''A Feast for Crows'' and ''A Dance with Dragons''<!-- Doesn't the death of Balon come from ASOS? Is this one element significant enough to note? --> | align="center"| <ref name="Season 5 & 6"/><ref name=writing>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403094457/http://www.goldderby.com/news/10007/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-season-six-tease-emmys-entertainment-13579086-story.html |archivedate=April 3, 2016 |url=http://www.goldderby.com/news/10007/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-season-six-tease-emmys-entertainment-13579086-story.html|title='Game of Thrones' director Jeremy Podeswa dishes Jon Snow death, teases season six (Exclusive Video)|publisher=GoldDerby|last=Noble|first=Matt|date=August 18, 2015|accessdate=August 21, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><br><ref name=EW516>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones|title=George R. R. Martin revealed 3 huge shocks to Game of Thrones producers|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=James|last=Hibberd|date=May 24, 2016|accessdate=May 24, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/game-of-thrones-has-not-gone-off-book.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/game-of-thrones-has-not-gone-off-book.html|title=Why It's a Misconception That Game of Thrones Has Gone 'Off-Book'|publisher=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|first=Jennifer|last=Vineyard|date=May 5, 2016|accessdate=May 24, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> |- | [[Game of Thrones (season 7)|Season 7]] | April 21, 2016 | August 2016 – February 2017 | July 16, 2017 | August 27, 2017 | Original content and outline from ''The Winds of Winter'' and ''[[A Dream of Spring]]'' | align="center"|<ref name="seasons 7 and 8" /><ref name="HBO confirms" /><br><ref name="s7 renewed" /><ref name="EW516"/><ref name="FutonCritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/game-of-thrones/listings/|title=Shows A-Z - game of thrones on hbo|work=[[The Futon Critic]]|accessdate=April 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816112050/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-7-episode-6-leaks-online-full-hbo-spain-torrents-download-reddit-watch-jon-a7895636.html|archivedate=August 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |} The first two seasons adapted one novel each. For the later seasons, its creators see ''Game of Thrones'' as an adaptation of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' as a whole rather than the individual novels;<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-game-of-thrones-insider-bryan-cogman-on-the-biggest-season-yet-20130320?print=true |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Collins|first=Sean T.|title=Q&A: 'Game of Thrones' Insider Bryan Cogman on the Biggest Season Yet|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-game-of-thrones-insider-bryan-cogman-on-the-biggest-season-yet-20130320?print=true|accessdate=March 24, 2013|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=March 20, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> this enables them to move events across novels, according to screen-adaptation requirements.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516052225/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2/2/ |archivedate=May 16, 2016 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners on season 2, splitting Book 3 and their hope for a 70-hour epic|page=2|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2/2/|accessdate=April 10, 2012|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Filming=== [[File:Malta191.jpg|thumbnail|alt=The Azure Window at Ras-id-Dwerja|The [[Azure Window]] at Ras-id-Dwerja, on Gozo, was the site of the Dothraki wedding in season one.]] Principal photography for the first season was scheduled to begin on July 26, 2010,<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> and the primary location was the [[The Paint Hall|Paint Hall Studios]] in [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite press release |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430032117/http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-210409-hbo-to-film.htm |archivedate=April 30, 2016 |title= HBO to film TV pilot in Belfast, Northern Ireland |publisher=Northern Ireland Executive |date= April 21, 2009 |url=http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-ofmdfm/news-ofmdfm-210409-hbo-to-film.htm |accessdate=March 13, 2013}}</ref> Exterior scenes in Northern Ireland were filmed at Sandy Brae in the [[Mourne Mountains]] (standing in for Vaes Dothrak), [[Castle Ward]] (Winterfell), Saintfield Estates (the Winterfell godswood), [[Tollymore Forest]] (outdoor scenes), [[Cairncastle]] (the execution site), the [[Magheramorne]] quarry (Castle Black) and [[Shane's Castle]] (the tourney grounds).<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012">{{cite news |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120401123724/http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2012-04-01/Where-the-HBO-hit-Game-of-Thrones-was-filmed/53876876/1 |archivedate=April 1, 2012|url=http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/story/2012-04-01/Where-the-HBO-hit-Game-of-Thrones-was-filmed/53876876/1 |title=Where HBO's hit 'Game of Thrones' was filmed |work=[[USA Today]] |first=Josh |last=Roberts |date=April 1, 2012 |accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref> [[Doune Castle]] in [[Stirling]], Scotland, was also used in the original pilot episode for scenes at Winterfell.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811101337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8322843.stm |archivedate=August 11, 2016 |title=Medieval keep becomes film set|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8322843.stm|accessdate=April 11, 2012|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=October 23, 2009|deadurl=no}}</ref> The producers initially considered filming the whole series in Scotland, but decided on Northern Ireland because of the availability of studio space.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529084634/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scotland-mourning-the-loss-of-epic-160m-tv-opportunity.21352049 |archivedate=May 29, 2015 |last=Miller|first=Phil|title=Beaten in Game of Thrones: why Scotland lost £160m chance to host TV series|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/scotland-mourning-the-loss-of-epic-160m-tv-opportunity.21352049|accessdate=June 17, 2013|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|date=June 17, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The first season's southern scenes were filmed in Malta, a change in location from the pilot episode's Moroccan sets.<ref name="gotfactsheet"/> The city of [[Mdina]] was used for King's Landing. Filming was also done at [[Fort Manoel]] (representing the Sept of Baelor), at the [[Azure Window]] on the island of [[Gozo]] (the Dothraki wedding site) and at [[San Anton Palace]], [[Fort Ricasoli]], [[Fort St Angelo]] and St. Dominic monastery (all used for scenes in the Red Keep).<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012" /> [[File:Dubrovnik crop.jpg|thumb|left|alt=The walled city of Dubrovnik|The walled city of Dubrovnik became King's Landing in season two.]] Filming of the second season's southern scenes shifted from Malta to Croatia, where the city of [[Dubrovnik]] and nearby locations allowed exterior shots of a walled, coastal medieval city. The [[Walls of Dubrovnik]] and [[Fort Lovrijenac]] were used for scenes in King's Landing and the Red Keep. The island of [[Lokrum]], the St. Dominic monastery in the coastal town of [[Trogir]], the [[Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik|Rector's Palace]] in Dubrovnik, and the Dubac quarry (a few kilometers east) were used for scenes set in Qarth. Scenes set north of the Wall, in the Frostfangs and at the Fist of the First Men, were filmed in November 2011 in Iceland: on the [[Vatnajökull]] glacier near Smyrlabjörg, the Svínafellsjökull glacier near [[Skaftafell]] and the [[Mýrdalsjökull]] glacier near [[Vík í Mýrdal|Vik]] on Höfðabrekkuheiði.<ref name="USA Today March 30, 2012" /><ref name="location iceland">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826083416/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/game-of-thrones-iceland-tour-filming-locations/ |archivedate=August 26, 2016 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/game-of-thrones-iceland-tour-filming-locations/ |title=Iceland's most spectacular Game of Thrones filming locations |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first= Oliver|last= Smith |date=June 7, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Third-season production returned to Dubrovnik, with the Walls of Dubrovnik, Fort Lovrijenac and nearby locations again used for scenes in King's Landing and the Red Keep. [[Trsteno Arboretum]], a new location, is the garden of the Tyrells in King's Landing. The third season also returned to Morocco (including the city of [[Essaouira]]) to film Daenerys' scenes in Essos.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617031757/http://www.salon.com/2014/04/29/the_7_kingdoms_in_game_of_thrones_are_actually_these_5_real_world_places_partner/ |archivedate=June 17, 2016 |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/04/29/the_7_kingdoms_in_game_of_thrones_are_actually_these_5_real_world_places_partner/ |title=The 7 kingdoms in 'Game of Thrones' are actually these 5 real-world places |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |first=Jessica |last=Phelan |date=April 29, 2014 |accessdate=August 23, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Dimmuborgir]] and the [[Grjótagjá]] cave in Iceland were used as well.<ref name="location iceland"/> One scene, with [[Bart the Bear 2|a live bear]], was filmed in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016062544/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/01/game-of-thrones-casts-a-bear-and-shoots-in-los-angeles-for-major-season-3-scene.html |archivedate=October 16, 2013 |title='Game of Thrones' casts a bear and shoots in Los Angeles for major Season 3 scene |last=Schwartz |first=Terri |date=January 28, 2013 |publisher=[[Zap2it]] |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/01/game-of-thrones-casts-a-bear-and-shoots-in-los-angeles-for-major-season-3-scene.html |accessdate=March 8, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> The production used three units (Dragon, Wolf and Raven) filming in parallel, six directing teams, 257 cast members and 703 crew members.<ref name="Making" /> [[File:Ballintoy Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 19750.jpg|thumb|alt=Ballintoy Harbour|[[Ballintoy Harbour]] was Lordsport on the Iron Islands.]] The fourth season returned to Dubrovnik and included new locations, including [[Diocletian's Palace]] in [[Split, Croatia|Split]], [[Klis Fortress]] north of Split, Perun quarry east of Split, the [[Mosor]] mountain range, and [[Baška Voda]] further south.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224065003/http://winteriscoming.net/2013/09/new-set-photos-from-klis-and-dubrovnik/ |archivedate=December 24, 2013 |url=http://winteriscoming.net/2013/09/new-set-photos-from-klis-and-dubrovnik/|title=New set photos from Klis and Dubrovnik|publisher=WinterIsComing.net |date=September 18, 2013 |accessdate=September 19, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Thingvellir National Park]] in Iceland was used for the fight between Brienne and the Hound.<ref name="location iceland"/> Filming took 136 days and ended on November 21, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222200023/http://winteriscoming.net/2013/11/thats-a-wrap-season-4-filming-is-complete/ |archivedate=February 22, 2014 |url=http://winteriscoming.net/2013/11/thats-a-wrap-season-4-filming-is-complete/ |title=That's a wrap! Season 4 filming is complete |publisher=WinterIsComing.net |date=November 21, 2013 |accessdate=November 26, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The fifth season added [[Seville]], Spain, used for scenes of [[Dorne]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103546/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Burgen|first=Stephen|title=Game of Thrones fifth series: more than 10,000 Spaniards apply to be extras|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain|date=July 6, 2014|accessdate=July 26, 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> The sixth season, which began filming in July 2015, returned to Spain and filmed in [[Girona]] and [[Peniscola]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530024956/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |archivedate=May 30, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |title=''Game of Thrones'' returning to Spain for season 6 |work=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 3, 2015 |accessdate=June 3, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Filming also returned to [[Dubrovnik]], [[Croatia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/611134/Game-of-Thrones-season-6-Lena-Headey-HBO-Cersei-Lannister-Croatia-Dubrovnik |title=Game of Thrones season 6: Lena Headey spotted filming in Croatia |work=The Daily Express |first=Neela |last=Debnath |date=October 9, 2015 |accessdate=July 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Filming of the seven episodes of season 7 began on August 31, 2016, at Titanic Studios in Belfast, with other filming in Iceland, Northern Ireland and many locations in Spain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Oliver |date=September 23, 2016 |title=The incredible locations that will star in Game of Thrones season 7 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/arts-and-culture/filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-seven/ |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=January 1, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082411/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/arts-and-culture/filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-seven/ |archivedate=January 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Spain filming locations included [[Seville]], [[Cáceres, Spain|Cáceres]], [[Almodovar del Rio]], [[Santiponce]], [[Zumaia]] and [[Bermeo]].<ref>{{cite press |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/game-of-thrones-s7-production-9c12d317565d#.92n7dmdmz |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/game-of-thrones-s7-production-9c12d317565d#.92n7dmdmz|title=EMMY®- AND GOLDEN GLOBE-WINNING HBO SERIES GAME OF THRONES TO BEGIN PRODUCTION ON SEASON SEVEN THIS SUMMER|publisher=[[HBO]]|date=July 18, 2016|accessdate=August 31, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The series also filmed in [[Dubrovnik]], which is used for location of King's Landing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/1631-photo-video-exclusive-game-of-thrones-is-back-in-dubrovnik |title=EXCLUSIVE – Game of Thrones is back in Dubrovnik |work=The Dubrovnik Times |date=December 14, 2016 |accessdate=July 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702082729/http://thedubrovniktimes.com/news/dubrovnik/item/1631-photo-video-exclusive-game-of-thrones-is-back-in-dubrovnik |archivedate=July 2, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Filming continued until the end of February 2017 as necessary to ensure winter weather in some of the European locations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2016/07/06/game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-date-delayed-new-interview/ |title=''Game of Thrones'' Season 7 Production Delayed |publisher=[[TVLine]] |first=Andy |last=Swift |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |date=July 6, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707215822/http://tvline.com/2016/07/06/game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-date-delayed-new-interview/ |archivedate=July 7, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Directing=== Each ten-episode season of ''Game of Thrones'' has four to six directors, who usually direct back-to-back episodes. [[Alan Taylor (director)|Alan Taylor]] has directed seven episodes, the most episodes of the series. [[Alex Graves]] and [[David Nutter]] have directed six each. [[Daniel Minahan]] directed five episodes, and [[Michelle MacLaren]], [[Mark Mylod]], [[Jeremy Podeswa]], [[Alik Sakharov]], and [[Miguel Sapochnik]] directed four each. [[Brian Kirk]] directed three episodes during the first season, and [[Tim Van Patten]] directed the series' first two episodes. [[Neil Marshall]] directed two episodes, both with large battle scenes: "[[Blackwater (Game of Thrones)|Blackwater]]" and "[[The Watchers on the Wall]]". Other directors have been [[Jack Bender]], [[David Petrarca]], [[Daniel Sackheim]], [[Michael Slovis]] and [[Matt Shakman]].<ref name="Directors">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/game-of-thrones-season-7/|title=Game of Thrones season 7: US and UK air date, teaser trailer, official poster, cast, rumors, and everything you need to know|work=GamesRadar|accessdate=April 4, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404215853/http://www.gamesradar.com/game-of-thrones-season-7/|archivedate=April 4, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> David Benioff and D. B. Weiss have directed two episodes together but only credited one each episode, which was determined after a coin toss.<ref name="vanity fair"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/index.html |title=Game of Thrones: Cast & Crew |publisher=[[HBO]] |accessdate=December 28, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117044703/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew/index.html |archivedate=November 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Technical aspects=== [[Alik Sakharov]] was the pilot's cinematographer. The series has had a number of cinematographers,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/sakharov.htm |title=ALIK SAKHAROV ASC |publisher=Cinematographers |accessdate=August 29, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125162551/http://www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/sakharov.htm |archivedate=January 25, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and has received seven [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series]] nominations.<ref name="emmys.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |title=Game of Thrones |publisher=[[Emmy Award|Emmys.com]] |accessdate=February 21, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413192605/http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |archivedate=April 13, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Oral Norrey Ottey, Frances Parker, Martin Nicholson, Crispin Green, [[Tim Porter]] and Katie Weiland have edited the series for a varying number of episodes. Weiland received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series]] in 2015.<ref name="emmys.com"/> ==={{anchor|Costuming}}Costumes=== [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Ygritte, Jon and Tormund costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=The costumes of Ygritte, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane|The costumes of Ygritte, Jon Snow and Tormund Giantsbane reflect the harsh climate in which they are worn.]] [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Royal court costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=Royal dresses in King's Landing|Dresses worn at the royal court in King's Landing indicate their wearers' wealth and status.]] [[File:Game of Thrones Oslo exhibition 2014 - Brienne and Jaime costumes.jpg|thumb|alt=Brienne and Jaime costumes|Functional weapons and armor, like [[Brienne of Tarth]]'s (left), were manufactured for the series.]] [[Michele Clapton]] was [[costume designer]] for ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} first five seasons before she was replaced by [[April Ferry]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895 |title='Game of Thrones' Season 6 Adds New Costume Designer |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Merle |last=Ginsberg |date=June 19, 2015 |accessdate=December 13, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Clapton will return to the show as costume designer for the seventh season.<ref name="www.ew.com game-thrones-season-7">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7|title=Game of Thrones season 7 directors revealed|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=June 29, 2016|accessdate=June 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> The costumes used in the show drew inspiration from a number of sources, such as [[Japanese armor|Japanese]] and [[Persian clothing|Persian]] armour. Dothraki dress resembles that of the [[Bedouin]] (one was made out of fish skins to resemble dragon scales), and the Wildlings wear animal skins like the [[Inuit]].<ref name="wischhover20120604">{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://fashionista.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-hair-and-wardrobe-secrets-revealed/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://fashionista.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-hair-and-wardrobe-secrets-revealed/ |title=Game of Thrones' Hair and Wardrobe Secrets Revealed |work=Fashionista |date=June 4, 2012 |accessdate=June 6, 2012 |author=Wischhover, Cheryl|deadurl=no}}</ref> Wildling bone armor is made from molds of actual bones, and is assembled with string and latex resembling [[catgut]].<ref name="Snead, Elizabeth">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/game-thrones-michelle-clapton-costume-designer-emmy-335607 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/game-thrones-michelle-clapton-costume-designer-emmy-335607 |title='Game of Thrones' Designer Michelle Clapton's Secret Source for Wildling Bones: eBay |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 11, 2012 |accessdate=June 11, 2012 |author=Snead, Elizabeth|deadurl=no}}</ref> Although the extras who play Wildlings and the Night's Watch often wear hats (normal in a cold climate), members of the principal cast usually do not so viewers can distinguish the main characters. [[Björk]]'s [[Alexander McQueen]] high-neckline dresses inspired [[Margaery Tyrell]]'s funnel-neck outfit, and prostitutes' dresses are designed for easy removal.<ref name="wischhover20120604" /> All clothing used is aged for two weeks so it appears realistic on high-definition television.<ref name="Snead, Elizabeth"/> About two dozen wigs are used for the actresses. Made of human hair and up to {{convert|2|ft|cm}} in length, they cost up to $7,000 each and are washed and styled like real hair. Applying the wigs is time-consuming; [[Emilia Clarke]], for example, requires about two hours to style her brunette hair with a platinum-blonde wig and braids. Other actors, such as [[Jack Gleeson]] and [[Sophie Turner]], receive frequent [[hair coloring]]. For characters such as Daenerys (Clarke) and her Dothraki, their hair, wigs and costumes are processed to appear as if they have not been washed for weeks.<ref name="wischhover20120604"/> ===Makeup=== For the first three seasons, [[Paul Engelen]] was ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} main makeup designer and [[Prosthetic makeup|prosthetic makeup artist]] with Melissa Lackersteen, [[Conor O'Sullivan (make-up artist)|Conor O'Sullivan]] and Rob Trenton. At the beginning of the fourth season Engelen's team was replaced by Jane Walker and her crew, composed of Ann McEwan and Barrie and Sarah Gower.<ref name="emmys.com"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Game_of_Thrones_Wins_Big_at_Creative_Arts_Emmys/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Game_of_Thrones_Wins_Big_at_Creative_Arts_Emmys/|title=Game of Thrones Wins Big at Creative Arts Emmys|work=Westeros.org|date=September 16, 2012|accessdate=February 21, 2016|author=Elio|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Visual effects=== For the series' large number of [[visual effects]], HBO hired British-based BlueBolt and Irish-based Screen Scene for season one. Most of the environment builds were done as [[2.5D]] projections, giving viewers perspective while keeping the programming from being overwhelming.<ref name=vfx-got>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514050245/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_VFX_Producer_Lucy_Ainsworth-Taylor/ |archivedate=May 14, 2016|last1=Elio|title=Interview with VFX Producer Lucy Ainsworth-Taylor|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_VFX_Producer_Lucy_Ainsworth-Taylor/|publisher=Westeros.org|date=June 22, 2011|accessdate=August 18, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2011 the season-one finale, "[[Fire and Blood (Game of Thrones)|Fire and Blood]]", was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects|Outstanding Special Visual Effects]].<ref name="emmys.com"/> Because the effects became more complex in subsequent seasons (including [[Computer graphics|CGI]] creatures, fire, and water), German-based [[Pixomondo]] became the lead visual-effects producer; nine of its twelve facilities contributed to the project for season two, with [[Stuttgart]] the lead.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718224036/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=July 18, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 |url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |publisher=[[Pixomondo]] |accessdate=August 19, 2014 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=Game of Thrones: Season 3|url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/|publisher=Pixomondo|accessdate=August 19, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Scenes were also produced by British-based Peanut FX, Canadian-based Spin VFX, and U.S.-based Gradient Effects. "[[Valar Morghulis]]" and "[[Valar Dohaeris]]" earned Pixomondo Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in 2012 and 2013, respectively.<ref name="emmys.com"/> For season four, HBO added German-based Mackevision to the project.<ref name=mckvsn>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://mackevision.com/123live-user-data/user_data/6084/public/DOWNLOADS_DE/HOME/20140710_GOT_Nominierung_de.pdf |archivedate=August 21, 2014 |title=Mackevision erhält Emmy-Nominierung für visuelle Effekte in "Game of Thrones" – Pressemeldung|url=http://mackevision.com/123live-user-data/user_data/6084/public/DOWNLOADS_DE/HOME/20140710_GOT_Nominierung_de.pdf|publisher=Mackevision|date=July 10, 2014|accessdate=August 19, 2014|language=German|format=PDF}}</ref> The season-four finale, "[[The Children (Game of Thrones)|The Children]]", won the 2014 Emmy Award for Visual Effects. Additional producers for season four included Canadian-based [[Rodeo FX]], German-based [[Scanline VFX]] and U.S.-based [[BAKED FX]]. The muscle and wing movements of the adolescent dragons in seasons four and five were based largely on those of a chicken. Pixomondo retained a team of 22 to 30 people which focused on visualizing Daenerys Targaryen's dragons, with the average production time per season of 20 to 22 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Johnson|first=Thomas|title=How 'Game of Thrones' creates its dragons|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=April 12, 2015|date=March 19, 2015}}</ref> For the fifth season, HBO added Canadian-based [[Image Engine]] and U.S.-based Crazy Horse Effects to its list of main visual-effects producers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://image-engine.com/tv/game-of-thrones/ |title=Game of Thrones |publisher=Image Engine |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |title=Current Projects |publisher=Crazy Horse Effects |accessdate=May 18, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601231708/http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |archivedate=June 1, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Sound=== Unusual for a television series, the sound team receives a [[rough cut]] of a full season and approaches it as a ten-hour feature film. Although seasons one and two had different sound teams, one team has been in charge of sound since then.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asoundeffect.com/creating-the-fantastical-sound-of-game-of-thrones/|title=This is how the fantastical sound of Game Of Thrones is made|last=Andersen|first=Asbjoern|publisher=A Sound Effect|date=August 6, 2014|accessdate=August 6, 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808063046/http://www.asoundeffect.com/creating-the-fantastical-sound-of-game-of-thrones/|archivedate=August 8, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> For the show's blood-and-gore sounds, the team often uses a [[Chamois leather|chamois]]. For dragon screams, mating tortoises and dolphin, seal, lion and bird sounds have been used.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506065202/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/game-of-thrones-sound-effects |archivedate=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/06/game-of-thrones-sound-effects|title=Game of Thrones: The Secrets Behind All the Stabbings, Screams, and Sex Scenes|last=Calautti|first=Katie|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=June 12, 2014|accessdate=August 6, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Title sequence=== {{main article|Game of Thrones title sequence}} The series' [[title sequence]] was created by production studio Elastic for HBO. [[Creative director]] [[Angus Wall]] and his collaborators received the 2011 [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design|Main Title Design]] for the sequence,<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Fernandez|first=Sofia M.|title=Emmys 2011: 'Game of Thrones' Title Sequence Gives Series Its First Emmy|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780|accessdate=June 1, 2013|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=September 10, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> which depicts a [[Raised-relief map|three-dimensional map]] of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|the series' fictional world]]. The map is projected on the inside of a sphere which is centrally lit by a small sun in an [[armillary sphere]].<ref name="Art of the Title 2013">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Perkins|first=Will|title=Game of Thrones (2011)|url=http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/|accessdate=June 1, 2013|publisher=Art of the Title|date=May 11, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> As the camera moves across the map, focusing on the locations of the episode's events, clockwork mechanisms intertwine and allow buildings and other structures to emerge from the map. Accompanied by the [[Music of Game of Thrones|title music]], the names of the principal cast and creative staff appear. The sequence concludes after about 90 seconds with the title card and brief [[opening credits]] indicating the episode's writer(s) and director. Its composition changes as the story progresses, with new locations replacing those featuring less prominently or not at all.<ref name="Art of the Title 2013"/><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401141737/https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnaxelrod/2013/03/30/how-the-innovative-game-of-thrones-opening-credits-spring-to-life-in-season-3/ |archivedate=April 1, 2013 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnaxelrod/2013/03/30/how-the-innovative-game-of-thrones-opening-credits-spring-to-life-in-season-3/ |title=How The Innovative Game Of Thrones Opening Credits Were Built |work=Forbes |first=John |last=Axelrod |date=March 30, 2013 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/secrets-game-thrones-opening-credits-179656 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/secrets-game-thrones-opening-credits-179656 |title=Secrets Behind 'Game of Thrones' Opening Credits (Video) |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Tim |last=Appelo |date=April 19, 2011 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Music=== {{main article|Music of Game of Thrones}} [[File:Ramin Djawadi.jpg|thumb|alt=Ramin Djawadi|upright|[[Ramin Djawadi]] composed the ''Game of Thrones'' score.]] The music for the series was composed by [[Ramin Djawadi]]. The first season's soundtrack, written in about ten weeks before the show's premiere,<ref name=Ryan>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202120407/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/02/02/game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=February 2, 2011 |last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title='Game of Thrones' Changes Its Tune, Hires New Composer|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/02/02/game-of-thrones/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|publisher=[[AOL TV]]|date=February 2, 2011}}</ref> was published by [[Varèse Sarabande]] in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725184403/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/05/31/game-of-thrones-soundtrack-details/ |archivedate=July 25, 2016 |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/05/31/game-of-thrones-soundtrack-details/|title=Game of Thrones Soundtrack Details|publisher=Film Music Reporter|date=May 31, 2011|accessdate=June 15, 2011 |deadurl=no}}</ref> Soundtrack albums for subsequent seasons have been released, with tracks by [[The National (band)|the National]], [[the Hold Steady]] and [[Sigur Rós]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ramin Djawadi Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829162008/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397|archivedate=August 29, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Djawadi has composed themes for each of the major houses and also for some of the main characters.<ref name="Djawadi">{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/game-of-thrones-composer-ramin-djawadi-key-musical-elements.html |title=Game of Thrones Composer Ramin Djawadi on the Show's Key Musical Elements, and That Godfather-esque Finale Tune |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |date=July 21, 2016 |accessdate=November 6, 2016 |work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017123724/http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/game-of-thrones-composer-ramin-djawadi-key-musical-elements.html |archivedate=October 17, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The themes may evolve over time, as Daenerys Targaryen's theme started small and then became more powerful after each season. Her theme started first with a single instrument, a [[cello]], and Djawadi later incorporated more instruments for it.<ref name="Djawadi"/> ===Language=== {{main article|Languages of A Song of Ice and Fire}} The Westerosi characters of ''Game of Thrones'' speak British-accented English, often (but not consistently) with the accent of the English region corresponding to the character's Westerosi region; [[Eddard Stark]] (Warden of the North) speaks in actor Sean Bean's native [[Yorkshire accent|northern accent]], and the southern lord Tywin Lannister speaks with a [[Received Pronunciation|southern accent]], while characters from Dorne speak English with a Spanish accent.<ref name="Dissecting the real-world accents in Game of Thrones {{!}} Metro News">{{cite web|last1=McNeil|first1=Colin|title=Dissecting the real-world accents in Game of Thrones {{!}} Metro News|url=http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2016/06/24/dialect-coach-dissects-game-of-thrones-accents.html|website=[[Metro International#North America|Metro Toronto]]|publisher=Free Daily News Group Inc.|accessdate=April 20, 2017|location=[[Toronto]]|language=en|date=June 24, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421095418/http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2016/06/24/dialect-coach-dissects-game-of-thrones-accents.html|archivedate=April 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="With a wink to its audience, ">{{cite web|last1=Epstein|first1=Adam|title=With a wink to its audience, "Game of Thrones" told its most annoying characters to shut up|url=https://qz.com/718066/with-a-wink-to-its-audience-game-of-thrones-told-its-most-annoying-characters-to-shut-up/|work=[[Quartz (publication)|''Quartz'']]|accessdate=April 20, 2017|language=English|date=June 27, 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421094509/https://qz.com/718066/with-a-wink-to-its-audience-game-of-thrones-told-its-most-annoying-characters-to-shut-up/|archivedate=April 21, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Characters foreign to Westeros often have a non-British accent.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://gawker.com/what-is-going-on-with-the-accents-in-game-of-thrones-485816507 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Read |first=Max |title=What Is Going on With the Accents in Game of Thrones? |url=http://gawker.com/what-is-going-on-with-the-accents-in-game-of-thrones-485816507 |accessdate=May 8, 2013 |publisher=[[Gawker]] |date=May 6, 2013 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> Although English is the common language of Westeros, the producers charged linguist [[David J. Peterson]] with [[constructed language|constructing]] [[Dothraki language|Dothraki]] and [[Valyrian languages]] based on the few words in the novels;<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Martin|first=Denise|title=Learn to Speak Dothraki and Valyrian From the Man Who Invented Them for Game of Thrones|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html|accessdate=April 24, 2013|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=April 23, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Dothraki and Valyrian dialogue is often subtitled in English. It has been reported that during the series these fictional languages have been heard by more people than the [[Welsh language|Welsh]], [[Irish language|Irish]], and [[Scots Gaelic]] languages combined.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=Game of Thrones: Can you speak Dothraki?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''Today'' programme|date=May 9, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Effect on location=== ''Game of Thrones'' is funded by [[Northern Ireland Screen]], a UK government agency financed by [[Invest NI]] and the [[European Regional Development Fund]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/2919/game-of-thrones-season-3-to-film-in-northern-ireland.aspx|archivedate=August 21, 2016|publisher=Northern Ireland Screen|title=Game of Thrones season 3 to film in Northern Ireland|url=http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/2919/game-of-thrones-season-3-to-film-in-northern-ireland.aspx|accessdate=April 12, 2012|date=April 12, 2012|deadurl=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As of April 2013, Northern Ireland Screen gave the show £9.25 million ($14.37 million); according to government estimates, this has benefited the [[Northern Ireland economy]] by £65 million ($100.95 million).<ref name="bradley20120412" /> [[Tourism Ireland]] has a ''Game of Thrones''-themed marketing campaign similar to New Zealand's [[Tolkien tourism|Tolkien-related advertising]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tourismireland.com/Press-Releases/2016/April/New-advertising-campaign-to-showcase-Northern-Irel |title=New advertising campaign to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of Game of Thrones® fans worldwide |publisher=Tourism Ireland |date=April 26, 2016 |accessdate=June 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054509/https://www.tourismireland.com/Press-Releases/2016/April/New-advertising-campaign-to-showcase-Northern-Irel |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Tourism-Ireland-wins-top-marketing-award-for-Game-of-Thrones-campaign-562193.html |title=Tourism Ireland wins top marketing award for Game of Thrones campaign |publisher=Business World |first=Robert |last=McHugh |date=December 14, 2015 |accessdate=June 17, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054510/https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Tourism-Ireland-wins-top-marketing-award-for-Game-of-Thrones-campaign-562193.html |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><!-- The reference to Tolkien tourism comes from the previously cited source @ https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://qz.com/196010/will-game-of-thrones-make-ireland-the-next-new-zealand/ --> Invest NI and the [[Northern Ireland Tourist Board]] also expect the series to generate tourism revenue.<ref name=bradley20120412>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508092252/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/the-game-of-thrones-tourists-1.1357475 |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |last=Bradley|first=Una|title=The 'Game of Thrones' tourists: How much is the hit HBO fantasy series worth to its home, Northern Ireland?|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/media/the-game-of-thrones-tourists-1.1357475|accessdate=April 12, 2013|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=April 12, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to [[Arlene Foster]], the series has given Northern Ireland the most [[The Troubles|non-political]] publicity in its history.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/game-of-thrones-pumped-43m-into-northern-irelands-economy-and-more-could-be-on-the-way-28749710.html |title=Game of Thrones pumped £43m into Northern Ireland's economy, and more could be on the way |work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]] |date=May 16, 2012 |accessdate=May 16, 2012 |author=McAdam, Noel |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The production of ''Game of Thrones'' and other TV series also boosted Northern Ireland's creative industries, contributing to an estimated 12.4-percent growth in arts, entertainment and recreation jobs between 2008 and 2013 (compared with 4.3&nbsp;percent in the rest of the UK during the same period).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Pym|first=Hugh|title=Game of Thrones boost to economy in Northern Ireland|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311|accessdate=May 11, 2014|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=May 11, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tourism organizations elsewhere reported increases in bookings after their locations appeared in ''Game of Thrones''. In 2012, bookings through [[LateRooms.com]] increased by 28 percent in Dubrovnik and 13 percent in Iceland. The following year, bookings doubled in [[Ouarzazate]], Morocco (the location of Daenerys' season-three scenes).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-288707.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Adam|first=Shabana|title=Travel News: Game of Thrones Sparks Big Boosts in Hotel Bookings to Filming Locations|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-288707.html|accessdate=April 18, 2013|publisher=Female First|date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> ''Game of Thrones'' has been attributed as a significant factor in the boom of tourism in Iceland that had a strong impact on its economy. Tourist numbers increased by 30% in 2015, followed by another 40% in 2016,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-03/world-beating-krona-weathers-iceland-s-rate-cuts-on-tourism-boom |title=Game of Thrones Crowns Iceland Krona as World's Best Currency |first=Love |last=Liman |date=May 3, 2017 |work=Bloomberg |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504043446/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-03/world-beating-krona-weathers-iceland-s-rate-cuts-on-tourism-boom |archivedate=May 4, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> with a final figure of 2.4 million visitors expected for 2016, which is around seven times the population of the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/iceland-game-thrones-hbo-westeros-krona-593949 |title=Iceland's Economy is Booming—Thanks to a Little Help from Game of Throne |first=Josh |last=Lowe |date=May 3, 2017 |work=Newsweek |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504233103/http://www.newsweek.com/iceland-game-thrones-hbo-westeros-krona-593949 |archivedate=May 4, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ==Availability== ===Broadcast=== ''Game of Thrones'' is broadcast by [[HBO]] in the United States and by its local subsidiaries or other [[pay television]] services in other countries, at the same time as in the U.S. or weeks (or months) later. The series' broadcast in China on [[China Central Television|CCTV]], begun in 2014, was heavily edited to remove scenes of sex and violence in accordance with a Chinese practice of censoring Western TV series to prevent what the ''[[People's Daily]]'' calls "negative effects and hidden security dangers". This resulted in viewer complaints about the incoherence of what remained.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Blum|first=Jeremy|title=Game of Thrones premieres on CCTV, viewers call it an edited 'mess'|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess|accessdate=May 4, 2014|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|date=April 30, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Broadcasters carrying ''Game of Thrones'' include [[Showcase (Australian TV channel)|Showcase]] in Australia; [[HBO Canada]], [[Super Écran]] and [[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]] in Canada; [[HBO Latin America]] in [[Latin America]]; [[Soho (New Zealand)|SoHo]] and [[Prime (New Zealand)|Prime]] in New Zealand, and [[Sky Atlantic]] in the United Kingdom and Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805221338/http://winter-is-coming.net/features/international-airings/ |archivedate=August 5, 2011 |url=http://www.winter-is-coming.net/features/international-airings|title=International Game of Thrones airings|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=August 2, 2011|accessdate=October 2, 2011}}</ref> ===Home video=== The ten episodes of the first season of ''Game of Thrones'' were released as a DVD and [[Blu-ray]] [[box set]] on March 6, 2012. The box set includes extra background and behind-the-scenes material but no deleted scenes, since nearly all the footage shot for the first season was used in the show.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017022137/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/30/game-of-thrones-dvd/ |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' scoop: DVD release date, details, photos|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/30/game-of-thrones-dvd/|accessdate=December 5, 2011|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=November 30, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> The box set sold over 350,000 copies in the first week after release, the largest first-week DVD sales ever for an HBO series, and the series set an HBO-series record for digital-download sales.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018144145/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316 |archivedate=October 18, 2014 |last=Richwine|first=Lisa|title='Game of Thrones' rules HBO's DVD sales|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316|date=March 16, 2012 |agency=Reuters|accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> A collector's-edition box set was released in November 2012, combining the DVD and Blu-ray versions of the first season with the first episode of season two. A paperweight in the shape of a dragon egg is included in the set.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425203629/http://www.bestbuy.com/site/game-of-thrones-the-complete-first-season-premium-edition-gift-box-8-discs-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray-disc/6909419.p?id=2541333&skuId=6909419|archivedate=April 25, 2016|url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/game-of-thrones-the-complete-first-season-premium-edition-gift-box-8-discs-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray-disc/6909419.p?id=2541333&skuId=6909419|title=Game of Thrones: The Complete First Season Premium Edition Gift Box [8 Discs] [Blu-ray/DVD] (Blu-ray Disc)|work=[[Best Buy]]|date=November 20, 2012|accessdate=April 19, 2016|deadurl=yes|df=mdy-all}}</ref> DVD-Blu-ray box sets and digital downloads of the second season became available on February 19, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704025800/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/ |archivedate=July 4, 2014 |title='Game of Thrones' season 2 DVD date and extras revealed|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/|accessdate=March 13, 2013|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> First-day sales broke HBO records, with 241,000 box sets sold and 355,000 episodes downloaded.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030023317/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ |archivedate=October 30, 2014 | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ | title='Game of Thrones' early DVD sales breaking HBO records | work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=February 22, 2013 | accessdate=February 23, 2013 | author=Hibberd, James|deadurl=no}}</ref> The third season was made available for purchase as a digital download on the Australian [[iTunes Store]], parallel to the U.S. premiere, and was released on DVD and Blu-ray in [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|region 1]] on February 18, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season/game-of-thrones-season-3/id611198334?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 |title=Game of Thrones season 3 on iTunes Australian Store |publisher=[[iTunes]] |accessdate=March 31, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508105049/https://itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season/game-of-thrones-season-3/id611198334?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 |archivedate=May 8, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909203852/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-3/18611 |archivedate=September 9, 2016 |url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-3/18611|title=Game of Thrones – 2014 Release Date, Package Art for 'The Complete 3rd Season', on DVD, Blu|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|last=Lambert|first=David|date=June 24, 2013|accessdate=June 25, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The fourth season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 17, 2015,<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908225452/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-4/20065 |archivedate=September 8, 2016 |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-4/20065|title=Game of Thrones – 'The Complete 4th Season' Press Release: Date, Art, Cost, Extras|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|last=Lambert|first=David|date=July 16, 2014|accessdate=July 16, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the fifth season on March 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316093450/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/ |archivedate=March 16, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 [Blu-ray + Digital HD]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/|publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]]|accessdate=October 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The sixth season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814123241/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2JPULU/ |archivedate=August 14, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: The Complete Sixth Season [Blu-ray]|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2JPULU/ |publisher=[[Amazon.com|Amazon]] |accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Beginning in 2016, HBO began issuing Steelbook Blu-ray sets which include both [[Dolby TrueHD]] [[7.1 surround sound|7.1]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] audio options.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/game-thrones-winter-coming%E2%80%94-atmos |title=Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming—In Atmos |first=David |last=Vaughn |publisher=Sound & Vision |date=January 29, 2016 |accessdate=May 28, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515165338/http://www.soundandvision.com/content/game-thrones-winter-coming%E2%80%94-atmos |archivedate=May 15, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Copyright infringement=== ''Game of Thrones'' has been widely [[Copyright infringement of audio-visual works|pirated]], primarily outside the U.S.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015" /> According to the file-sharing news website [[TorrentFreak]], ''Game of Thrones'' has been the most-pirated TV series each year since 2012.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702013632/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/05/09/hbos-game-of-thrones-on-track-to-be-crowned-most-pirated-show-of-2012/ |archivedate=July 2, 2016 |last=Greenberg|first=Andy|title=HBO's 'Game Of Thrones' On Track To Be Crowned Most Pirated Show Of 2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/05/09/hbos-game-of-thrones-on-track-to-be-crowned-most-pirated-show-of-2012/|accessdate= May 9, 2012|work=[[Forbes]]|date=May 9, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625052658/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2013-131225/ |archivedate=June 25, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' Most Pirated TV-Show of 2013|url=http://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2013-131225/|accessdate=December 28, 2013|newspaper=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=December 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504030322/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10751891/Game-of-Thrones-still-most-pirated-TV-show.html |archivedate=May 4, 2016 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10751891/Game-of-Thrones-still-most-pirated-TV-show.html |title=Game of Thrones still most pirated TV show |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |first=Rhiannon |last=Williams |date=April 8, 2014 |accessdate=June 23, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310175113/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |archivedate=March 10, 2016 |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |title=Game of Thrones tops 2015's piracy charts|work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|first=Matt |last=Kamen |date=December 28, 2015 |accessdate=December 28, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226175113/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv-show-of-2016-161226/ |archivedate=December 26, 2016 |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv-show-of-2016-161226/ |title='Game of Thrones' Most Torrented TV-Show of 2016|work=[[TorrentFreak]]|first=Ernesto |last=Van der Sar |date=December 26, 2016 |accessdate=December 26, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Illegal downloads increased to about seven million in the first quarter of 2015, up 45 percent from 2014.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629121501/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594 |archivedate=June 29, 2016 |last1=Jarvey|first1=Natalie|title='Game of Thrones' Piracy Soars Ahead of Season 5 Premiere|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594|accessdate=April 10, 2015|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 9, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> An unnamed episode was downloaded about 4,280,000 times through public [[BitTorrent tracker]]s in 2012, roughly equal to its number of broadcast viewers.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720011942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739 |archivedate=July 20, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones tops TV show internet piracy chart|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739|accessdate=January 4, 2013|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=December 24, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617091847/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2012-121223/ |archivedate=June 17, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones Most Pirated TV-Show of 2012 |date=December 23, 2012 |work=[[TorrentFreak]] |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2012-121223/ |accessdate=December 23, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Piracy rates were particularly high in Australia,<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802013734/https://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |archivedate=August 2, 2016 |url=http://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |title=Who's Pirating Game of Thrones, And Why? |publisher=[[TorrentFreak]] |date=May 20, 2012 |accessdate=March 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and U.S. Ambassador to Australia [[Jeff Bleich]] issued a statement condemning Australian piracy of the series in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125134307/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/us-ambassador-jeffrey-bleich-pleads-australia-stop-pirating-game-of-thrones/story-e6frg6n6-1226629324212 |archivedate=January 25, 2015 |last=Piotrowski|first=Daniel|title=US ambassador Jeffrey Bleich pleads: Australia, stop pirating Game of Thrones|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/us-ambassador-jeffrey-bleich-pleads-australia-stop-pirating-game-of-thrones/story-e6frg6n6-1226629324212|accessdate=April 25, 2013|work=[[The Age]]|date=April 25, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Delays in availability apart from HBO and its affiliates<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508025941/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/10/international-audiences-have-few-choices-to-legally-watch-hbos-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=May 8, 2016 |last=Kain|first=Erik|title=International Audiences Have Few Choices To Legally Watch HBO's 'Game Of Thrones'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/10/international-audiences-have-few-choices-to-legally-watch-hbos-game-of-thrones/|accessdate=May 11, 2012|work=[[Forbes]]|date=May 10, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> before 2015 and the cost of subscriptions to these services have been cited as causes of the series' illegal distribution. According to ''TorrentFreak'', a subscription to a service for ''Game of Thrones'' would cost up to $25 per month in the United States, up to £26 per episode in the UK and up to $52 per episode in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710144941/https://torrentfreak.com/why-people-pirate-game-of-thrones-a-global-cost-breakdown-140413/ |archivedate=July 10, 2016 |title=Why People Pirate Game of Thrones, a Global Cost Breakdown|url=http://torrentfreak.com/why-people-pirate-game-of-thrones-a-global-cost-breakdown-140413/|accessdate=April 15, 2014|newspaper=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=April 13, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> For "combating piracy", HBO said in 2013 that it intended to make its content more widely available within a week of the U.S. premiere (including [[HBO Go]]).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307224118/https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/04/how-hbo-is-protecting-game-of-thrones-from-online-piracy-in-2013/ |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2013/03/04/how-hbo-is-protecting-game-of-thrones-from-online-piracy-in-2013/ |title=How HBO Is Protecting 'Game of Thrones' from Online Piracy in 2013 |work=[[Forbes]] |date=March 3, 2013 |accessdate=March 5, 2013 |author=Pinchefsky, Carol|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season]] was [[simulcast]] to 170 countries and to [[HBO Now]] users.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015" /> On April 11, the day before the season premiere, [[screener (promotional)|screener]] copies of the first four episodes of the fifth season leaked to a number of [[file-sharing]] websites.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626183441/http://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966 |archivedate=June 26, 2016 |title=Nearly Half of Game of Thrones Season 5 Just Leaked|url=http://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966|website=Gizmodo|deadurl=no}}</ref> Within a day of the leak, the files were downloaded over 800,000 times;<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412204649/https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2015/04/12/upcoming-game-of-thrones-episodes-leak-online-was-hbo-hacked/ |archivedate=April 12, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephsteinberg/2015/04/12/upcoming-game-of-thrones-episodes-leak-online-was-hbo-hacked/ |title=Nearly Half Of 'Game of Thrones' Upcoming Season Leaks Online – Was HBO Hacked? |date=April 12, 2015 |first=Joseph |last=Steinberg |work=[[Forbes]] |accessdate=April 12, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> in one week the illegal downloads reached 32&nbsp;million, with the season-five premiere alone ("[[The Wars to Come]]") pirated 13&nbsp;million times.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307001526/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-5-breaks-piracy-record-with-32m-illegal-downloads-10197482.html |archivedate=March 7, 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-5-breaks-piracy-record-with-32m-illegal-downloads-10197482.html |title=Game of Thrones season 5 breaks piracy record with 32m illegal downloads |first=Jess |last=Denham |date=April 23, 2015 |work=[[The Independent]] |accessdate=May 12, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The season-five finale ("[[Mother's Mercy]]") was the most simultaneously shared file in the history of the [[BitTorrent]] filesharing protocol, with over 250,000 simultaneous sharers and over 1.5&nbsp;million downloads in eight hours.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811132514/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-season-finale-breaks-piracy-record-150615/ |archivedate=August 11, 2016 |url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-season-finale-breaks-piracy-record-150615/|title=Game of Thrones Season Finale breaks Piracy Records|publisher=[[TorrentFreak]]|date=June 15, 2015 |accessdate=June 15, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> For the sixth season, HBO did not send [[screener (promotional)|screeners]] to the press, so as to prevent the spread of unlicensed copies and possible [[Spoiler (media)|spoilers]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415083105/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/02/game-thrones-season-6-review-screeners |archivedate=April 15, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/02/game-thrones-season-6-review-screeners |title=''Game of Thrones'' lockdown: HBO won't send press any season 6 episodes |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=March 2, 2016 |accessdate=March 2, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> Observers, including series director [[David Petrarca]]<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318180807/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |archivedate=March 18, 2016 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |title=Downloads don't matter |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=February 26, 2013 |accessdate=March 2, 2013 |agency=Australian Associated Press|deadurl=no}}</ref> and [[Time Warner]] CEO [[Jeff Bewkes]], said that illegal downloads did not hurt the series' prospects; it benefited from "[[Marketing buzz|buzz]]" and social commentary, and the high piracy rate did not significantly translate to lost subscriptions. According to ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'', HBO's relaxed attitude towards piracy and the sharing of login credentials amounted to a premium-television "[[free-to-play]]" model.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308073846/http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5636120/game-of-thrones-free-to-play-tv-hbo |archivedate=March 8, 2016 |last=Kuchera|first=Ben|title=Game of Thrones is the first 'free-to-play' TV show, and gaming is racing to catch up|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5636120/game-of-thrones-free-to-play-tv-hbo|accessdate=April 21, 2014|newspaper=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=April 21, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> At a 2015 [[Oxford Union]] debate, series co-creator David Benioff said that he was just glad that people watched the show; illegally downloaded copies of the show sometimes interested viewers enough to buy a copy of the show, especially in countries where the show was not televised. Co-creator D. B. Weiss had mixed feelings, saying that the show was expensive to produce and "if it doesn't make the money back, then it ceases to exist". However, he was pleased that so many people "enjoy the show so much they can't wait to get their hands on it."<ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones at the Oxford Union – Full Address|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc|publisher=[[YouTube]]|accessdate=June 15, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601173130/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc|archivedate=June 1, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2015, ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' called ''Game of Thrones'' the most-pirated television program.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603142753/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562 |archivedate=June 3, 2016 |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562|title=Maisie Williams overjoyed as Game of Thrones marches into Guinness World Records 2016|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|last=Lynch|first=Kevin|date=August 31, 2015|accessdate=November 11, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===IMAX=== Beginning on January 23, 2015, the last two episodes of [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|season four]] were shown in 205 [[IMAX]] theaters across the United States; ''Game of Thrones'' is the first TV series shown in this format.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123092247/http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/ |archivedate=January 23, 2015 |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/|title='Game of Thrones' coming to IMAX: First TV series released in format|last=Hibberd|first=James|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=January 6, 2015|accessdate=January 22, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> The show earned $686,000 at the box office on its opening day<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828102303/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-game-of-thrones-eyes-2-million-in-imax-debut-1201420355/ |archivedate=August 28, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-game-of-thrones-eyes-2-million-in-imax-debut-1201420355/ | title = Box Office: 'Game of Thrones' Eyes $2 Million in Imax Debut | first = Maane |last=Khatchatourian | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = January 31, 2015 | accessdate = February 1, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and $1.5 million during its opening weekend;<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421233114/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/02/01/box-office-american-sniper-sets-super-bowl-record-game-of-thrones-scores-in-imax/ |archivedate=April 21, 2016 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/02/01/box-office-american-sniper-sets-super-bowl-record-game-of-thrones-scores-in-imax/ | title = Box Office: 'American Sniper' Sets Super Bowl Record, 'Game Of Thrones' Scores IMAX Touchdown |first=Scott |last=Mendelson | work=[[Forbes]] | date = February 1, 2015 | accessdate = February 1, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> the week-long release grossed $1,896,092.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905171144/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm |archivedate=September 5, 2015 |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm | title=Game of Thrones (IMAX) (2015) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] | date=February 6, 2015 | accessdate=April 12, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> ==Reception and achievements== ''Game of Thrones'' was highly anticipated by fans before its premiere,<ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120193535/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated |archivedate=November 20, 2011 |url= https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated |title=Is A Game of Thrones the most eagerly anticipated TV show ever? |date=July 23, 2010 |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Mathilda |last=Gregory |accessdate=March 13, 2013 |location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/08/with-game-of-thrones-hbo-is-plotting-for-another-true-blood.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Colins |first=Scott |title=With 'Game of Thrones,' HBO is playing for another 'True Blood' |date=August 8, 2010 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/08/with-game-of-thrones-hbo-is-plotting-for-another-true-blood.html |accessdate=March 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> and has become a critical and commercial success. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', by 2014 it was "the biggest drama" and "the most talked about show" on television.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920154652/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love |archivedate=September 20, 2016 |last=Hughes|first=Sarah|title='Sopranos meets Middle-earth': how Game of Thrones took over our world|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love|accessdate=March 22, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 22, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Cultural influence=== Although ''Game of Thrones'' was dismissed by some critics before it began,<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014"/> its success has been credited with an increase in the popularity of fantasy themes. On the eve of the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season's]] premiere, a [[CNN.com]] blog post by Joel Williams read, "After this weekend, you may be hard pressed to find someone who isn't a fan of some form of [[epic fantasy]]" and cited [[Ian Bogost]] as saying that the series continues a trend of successful screen adaptations beginning with [[Peter Jackson]]'s 2001 [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy]] and the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' films]] establishing fantasy as a mass-market genre; they are "[[gateway drugs]] to fantasy fan culture".<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Williams|first=Joel|title=Mainstream finally believes fantasy fans|url=http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/|accessdate=April 5, 2012 |publisher=[[CNN]]|date=March 30, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Its success in the face of its genre was attributed by writers to a longing for escapism in popular culture, frequent female nudity and a skill in balancing lighthearted and serious topics (dragons and politics, for example) which provided it with a prestige enjoyed by conventional, top-tier drama series.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014" /> The series' popularity increased [[A Song of Ice and Fire#Sales|sales of the ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' novels]] (republished in tie-in editions), which remained at the top of bestseller lists for months. According to ''[[The Daily Beast]]'', ''Game of Thrones'' was a favorite of [[sitcom]] writers and the series has been referred to in other TV series.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/21/game-of-thrones-modern-family-parks-and-rec-writers-on-why-they-love-the-hbo-drama.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Lacob|first=Jace|title='Game of Thrones': 'Modern Family,' 'Parks and Rec' Writers on Why They Love the HBO Drama|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/21/game-of-thrones-modern-family-parks-and-rec-writers-on-why-they-love-the-hbo-drama.html|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=September 21, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> With other fantasy series, it has been cited for an increase in the purchase (and abandonment) of [[huskies]] and other wolf-like dogs.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/game-of-thrones-inspired-huskie-craze-goes-cold-as-owners-give-up-on-dogs-8431188.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=O'Brian|first=Liam|title=Game of Thrones inspired Huskie craze goes cold as owners give up on dogs|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/game-of-thrones-inspired-huskie-craze-goes-cold-as-owners-give-up-on-dogs-8431188.html|accessdate=March 10, 2013|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=December 26, 2012|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> ''Game of Thrones'' has added to the popular vocabulary. The first season's scene in which Petyr Baelish explains his motives (or background) while prostitutes had sex in the background gave rise to the word "[[sexposition]]" for providing [[exposition (literary technique)|exposition]] with sex and nudity.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328073923/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama?newsfeed=true |archivedate=March 28, 2013 |last=Hann|first=Michael|title=How 'sexposition' fleshes out the story|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama?newsfeed=true|accessdate=March 29, 2012|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 11, 2012|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref> "[[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|Dothraki]]", the series' nomadic horsemen, was ranked fourth in a September 2012 [[Global Language Monitor]] list of words from television most used on the Internet.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/25/and-the-top-television-words-of-the-year-are/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Steinmetz|first=Kate|title=And the Top TV Words of the Year Are&nbsp;... |url=http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/25/and-the-top-television-words-of-the-year-are/|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=September 25, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2012, the media used "Game of Thrones" as a figure of speech or comparison for situations of intense conflict and deceit, such as [[National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius|the 2012 United States Supreme Court decision regarding healthcare reform legislation]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-brescia/game-of-robes-why-conserv_b_1647678.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Brescia|first=Ray|title=Game of Robes: Why Conservatives May Ultimately Praise the Roberts Switch on Health Care Reform|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-brescia/game-of-robes-why-conserv_b_1647678.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 6, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the [[Syrian Civil War]]<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-varsavsky/there-is-still-a-lot-of-g_b_1649089.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Varsavsky|first=Martin|title=The Game of Thrones Around Us|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-varsavsky/there-is-still-a-lot-of-g_b_1649089.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=July 4, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the ousting of [[Bo Xilai]] from the Chinese government.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.theage.com.au/world/strongmen-of-china-playing-a-risky-game-of-thrones-20120630-219km.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Garnaut|first=John|title=Strongmen of China playing a risky game of thrones|url=http://www.theage.com.au/world/strongmen-of-china-playing-a-risky-game-of-thrones-20120630-219km.html|accessdate=July 7, 2012|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=July 1, 2012|location=Melbourne|deadurl=no}}</ref> "Khaleesi" has increased in popularity as a name for baby girls in the United States. In the novels and the TV series, the word is a title meaning the wife of a Khal (warlord) in the [[Dothraki language]] held by [[Daenerys Targaryen]], and not actually a name.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819190426/http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/there-are-now-more-babies-named-khaleesi-than-betsy-or-nadine-in-the-us.html |archivedate=August 19, 2016|last=O'Neil|first=Lauren|title=There are now more babies named 'Khaleesi' than 'Betsy' or 'Nadine' in the U.S.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/there-are-now-more-babies-named-khaleesi-than-betsy-or-nadine-in-the-us.html|date=April 11, 2014|newspaper=[[CBC News]]|accessdate=April 27, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> ==={{anchor|General}}Critical response=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="float:right; text-align:center; margin:10px;" |- ! style="padding:0 8px;" colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Season ! style="padding:0 8px;" colspan="2" | Critical response |- ! style="padding:0 8px;" | [[Rotten Tomatoes]] ! style="padding:0 8px;" | [[Metacritic]] |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#295354;"| | 1 | 89% (33 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 1 (2011) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823100552/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01 |archivedate=August 23, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 80 (28 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS1">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-1 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 1 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=August 11, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#D09916;"| | 2 | 96% (33 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 (2012) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154031/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 90 (26 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS2">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=August 11, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819000000/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2 |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#5C5857;"| | 3 | 97% (44 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 (2013) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154035/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s03 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 91 (25 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=March 28, 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819000000/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3 |archivedate=August 19, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#212121;"| | 4 | 97% (50 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 4 |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154042/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04 |archivedate=August 21, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 94 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS4">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 4 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 8, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404151021/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4 |archivedate=April 4, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#68411C;"| | 5 | 95% (52 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 (2015) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=August 27, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826102539/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05 |archivedate=August 26, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 91 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS5">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 11, 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417014228/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5 |archivedate=April 17, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#31485C;"| | 6 | 96% (29 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6">{{cite web |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 6 (2016) |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |accessdate=April 25, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424160905/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06 |archivedate=April 24, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | 73 (9 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS6">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 6 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=April 28, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426183043/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6 |archivedate=April 26, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |- ! scope="row" style="width:12px; background:#4CB8E9;"| | 7 | 96% (34 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS7">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 7|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07/#episodes|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=August 31, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430154506/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07#episodes|archivedate=April 30, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> | 77 (12 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS7">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 7 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=July 18, 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722061455/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7 |archivedate=July 22, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |} ''Game of Thrones'' has received critical acclaim, although the series' frequent use of nudity and violence has been criticized. Its seasons have appeared on annual "best of" lists published by ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (2011), ''[[TIME Magazine|TIME]]'' (2011 and 2012) and ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' (2012).<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305075523/http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/12/thrones-lands-on-tons-of-top-tv-shows-of-2011-lists/ |archivedate=March 5, 2013 |title=Thrones lands on tons of top TV shows of 2011 lists|url=http://winter-is-coming.net/2011/12/thrones-lands-on-tons-of-top-tv-shows-of-2011-lists/|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=December 23, 2011 | accessdate =December 23, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://grrm.livejournal.com/255830.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |title=Plaudits for GAME OF THRONES |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/255830.html |accessdate=December 23, 2011 |date=December 21, 2011 |publisher=Not A Blog |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411133825/http://winteriscoming.net/2012/12/game-of-thrones-the-best-of-2012/ |archivedate=April 11, 2014 |title=Game of Thrones: The best of 2012|url=http://winteriscoming.net/2012/12/game-of-thrones-the-best-of-2012/|accessdate=January 4, 2013|publisher=WinterIsComing.net|date=December 27, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The performances of the cast have also been praised. [[Peter Dinklage]]'s "charming, morally ambiguous, and self-aware"<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230144/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/ |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Gilbert|first=Matthew|title=Fantasy comes true with HBO's 'Game of Thrones'|url=http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=April 15, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Tyrion, who earned him [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Emmy]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe]] awards, was noted. "In many ways, ''Game of Thrones'' belongs to Dinklage", wrote Mary McNamara of the ''[[Los Angeles Times|L.A. Times]]'' before Tyrion became the series' central figure in [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|season two]].<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/15/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=McNamara|first=Mary|title=Swords, sex and struggles|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/15/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415|accessdate=May 19, 2013|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 15, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329120407/http://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/singleton/ |archivedate=March 29, 2012 |last=Paskin|first=Willa|title=Bloody, bloody "Game of Thrones"|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/singleton/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[Salon magazine|Salon]]|date=March 29, 2012}}</ref> Several critics highlighted performances by actresses<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011" /> and children.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roush-Review-Thrones-1031879.aspx |archivedate=August 21, 2014 |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roush-Review-Thrones-1031879.aspx |title=Roush Review: Grim Thrones Is a Crowning Achievement|first=Matt |last=Roush |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=April 15, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2011|deadurl=no}}</ref> Fourteen-year-old [[Maisie Williams]], noted in the first season for her debut as [[Arya Stark]], was singled out for her season-two work with veteran actor [[Charles Dance]] ([[Tywin Lannister]]).<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/game-changers-the-10-biggest-changes-between-game-of-thrones-and-the-books-20120515/the-tywin-and-arya-show-19691231 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |title=The Tywin and Arya Show|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/game-changers-the-10-biggest-changes-between-game-of-thrones-and-the-books-20120515/the-tywin-and-arya-show-19691231|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 15, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> First-season reviewers said the series had high production values, a fully realized world and compelling characters.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017221329/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20481542%2C00.html |archivedate=October 17, 2014 |author=Tucker, Ken |title=Game of Thrones (2011) |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 14, 2011 |accessdate=May 11, 2011 |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20481542,00.html |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', "There may be no show more profitable to its network than 'Game of Thrones' is to HBO. Fully produced by the pay cabler and already a global phenomenon after only one season, the fantasy skein was a gamble that has paid off handsomely".<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/ |title=Cablers hit highs, lows, PR hurdles in 2011 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 27, 2011 |accessdate=December 31, 2011 |author=Levine, Stuart |deadurl=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The second season was also well received by critics. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' praised its "vivid, vital, and just plain fun" storytelling<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027041802/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20470532_20580368%2C00.html |archivedate=October 27, 2014 |last=Tucker |first=Ken |title=TV Review: Game Of Thrones (2012) |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20470532_20580368,00.html |accessdate=March 25, 2012 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 21, 2012 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and, according to ''[[the Hollywood Reporter]]'', the show made a "strong case for being one of TV's best series"; its seriousness made it the only drama comparable to ''[[Mad Men]]'' or ''[[Breaking Bad]]''.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6W4Uf7zgs?url=http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/Game-of-Thrones-HBO-Peter-Dinklage-George-Martin-304869 |archivedate=February 3, 2015 |last=Goodman |first=Tim |title='Game of Thrones' Season 2: TV Review |url=http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/Game-of-Thrones-HBO-Peter-Dinklage-George-Martin-304869 |accessdate=March 28, 2012 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 27, 2012 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the series a mixed review, criticizing its number of characters, their lack of complexity and a meandering plot.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921082549/http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html |archivedate=September 21, 2013 |last=Genzlinger|first=Neil|title=Uneasy Lies the Head That Steals a Crown: 'Game of Thrones' on HBO|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html|accessdate=March 29, 2012|work=[[The New York Times]] |date=March 29, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The third season was very well received by critics, with Metacritic giving it a score of 91 out of 100 (indicating "universal acclaim").<ref name="MetacriticS3" /> The fourth season was also praised; Metacritic gave it a score of 94 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, again indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MetacriticS4" /> The fifth season was also well received by critics and has a score of 91 out of 100 (based on 29 reviews) on Metacritic.<ref name="MetacriticS5" /> The sixth season has been praised by critics. It has a score of 73 out of 100 (based on nine reviews) on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MetacriticS6" /> The seventh season has a score of 77 out of 100 (based on twelve reviews) on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref name="MetacriticS7" /> The series has a rating of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 44 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3" /> All episodes had positive reviews of 91 percent or higher on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 97-percent rating (based on 50 reviews) for the season as a whole.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4" /> On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 95 percent and an average score of 8.6 out of 10 (based on 52 reviews).<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5" /> The season has a rating of 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 29 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6" /> After the first episode aired, the seventh season held a rating of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 29 reviews.<ref name="RottenTomatoesS7" /> ===={{anchor|Use of sex and violence|Sex and violence}}Sex and violence==== Despite its otherwise enthusiastic reception by critics, ''Game of Thrones'' has been criticized for the amount of female nudity, violence, and sexual violence (especially against women) it depicts, and for the manner in which it depicts these themes. ''[[The Atlantic]]'' called the series' "tendency to ramp up the sex, violence, and—especially—sexual violence" of the source material "the defining weakness" of the adaptation.<ref name="Atlantic">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826014749/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/game-of-thrones-roundtable-season-5-episode-six-unbowed-unbent-unbroken/393503/ |archivedate=August 26, 2016|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/game-of-thrones-roundtable-season-5-episode-six-unbowed-unbent-unbroken/393503/|title=Game of Thrones: A Pointless Horror and a Ridiculous Fight|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|last2=Orr|first2=Christopher|last3=Sullivan|first3=Amy|work=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> George R. R. Martin responded that he feels obliged to be truthful about history and human nature, and that rape and sexual violence are common in war; and that omitting them from the narrative would have rung false and undermined one of [[#Themes|his novels' themes]], its historical realism.<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> HBO said that they "fully support the vision and artistry of Dan and David’s exceptional work and we feel this work speaks for itself."<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> The amount of sex and nudity in the series, especially in scenes that are incidental to the plot, was the focus of much of the criticism aimed at the series in its [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|first]] and [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second seasons]]. [[Stephen Dillane]], who portrays [[Stannis Baratheon]], likened the series' frequent explicit scenes to "German porn from the 1970s".<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/14/game-of-thrones-stephen-dillane-the-tunnel_n_4595628.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Frost|first=Caroline|title='Game of Thrones' Star Stephen Dillane Admits the Nudity Is Like 'German Porn from the 1970s'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/14/game-of-thrones-stephen-dillane-the-tunnel_n_4595628.html|accessdate=January 16, 2014|newspaper=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=January 14, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Charlie Anders]] wrote in [[io9]] that while the first season was replete with light-hearted "[[sexposition]]", the second season appeared to focus on distasteful, exploitative, and dehumanizing sex with little informational content.<ref name="io9 2 May 2012">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911064821/http://io9.com/5906540/is-game-of-thrones-gratiutious-sex-worse-than-the-gratuitous-violence |archivedate=September 11, 2015 |last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|title=Is Game of Thrones' gratuitous sex worse than the gratuitous violence?|url=http://io9.com/5906540/is-game-of-thrones-gratiutious-sex-worse-than-the-gratuitous-violence|accessdate=May 2, 2012|work=[[io9]]|date=May 2, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'}}s Anna Holmes, the nude scenes appeared to be aimed mainly at titillating heterosexual men, right down to the Brazilian waxes sported by the women in the series' faux-medieval setting, which made these scenes alienating to other viewers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Holmes|first=Anna|title=Skin is wearing thin on HBO's 'Game of Thrones'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/skin-is-wearing-thin-on-hbos-game-of-thrones/2012/04/26/gIQA4hd6jT_story_1.html|accessdate=May 2, 2012|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=April 26, 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527173457/http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/skin-is-wearing-thin-on-hbos-game-of-thrones/2012/04/26/gIQA4hd6jT_story_1.html|archivedate=May 27, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ''[[The Huffington Post]]''{{'}}s Maureen Ryan likewise noted that ''Game of Thrones'' mostly presented women naked, rather than men, and that the excess of "random boobage" undercut any aspirations the series might have to address the oppression of women in a feudal society.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502120407/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-7-recap/ |archivedate=May 2, 2012 |last=Ryan|first=Maureen|title='Game of Thrones' Season 1, Episode 7 Recap|url=http://www.aoltv.com/2011/05/29/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-7-recap/|accessdate=May 2, 2012|publisher=[[AOL TV]]|date=May 29, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' parodied this aspect of the adaptation in a sketch that portrayed the series as retaining a thirteen-year-old boy as a consultant whose main concern was showing as many breasts as possible.<ref name="io9 2 May 2012" /><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://gawker.com/5902076/snl-explains-the-nudity-in-game-of-thrones |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Toder |first=Matt |title=SNL Explains the Nudity in Game of Thrones |url=http://gawker.com/5902076/snl-explains-the-nudity-in-game-of-thrones |accessdate=May 2, 2012 |publisher=Gawker |date=April 15, 2012 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> In the [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|third season]], which saw [[Theon Greyjoy]] lengthily tortured and eventually [[emasculated]], the series was also criticized for its use of torture.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Orr|first=Christopher|title=Game of Thrones' Worst Scene Yet?|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/|accessdate=May 19, 2013|newspaper=[[The Atlantic]]|date=May 13, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[New York (magazine)|''New York'' magazine]] called the scene "[[torture porn]]."<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html |title=''Game of Thrones'' Couple of the Week: Tyrion and Shae Are Never Getting Back Together |first=Allison P. |last=David |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=May 12, 2014 |accessdate=July 17, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> Madeleine Davies of ''[[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]]'' agreed, saying, "it's not uncommon that ''Game of Thrones'' gets accused of being torture porn—senseless, [[objectification|objectifying]] violence combined with senseless, objectifying sexual imagery." According to Davies, although the series' violence tended to serve a narrative purpose, Theon's torture in "[[The Bear and the Maiden Fair#In the North|The Bear and the Maiden Fair]]" was excessive.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Madeleine|title=Game of Boners: This Is Torture Porn|url=http://jezebel.com/game-of-boners-this-is-torture-porn-504821180|accessdate=May 17, 2013|newspaper=Jezebel|date=May 13, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Breaker of Chains#Rape scene|A scene]] in the [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|fourth season's]] episode "[[Breaker of Chains]]", in which [[Jaime Lannister]] rapes his sister and lover [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]], triggered a broad public discussion about the series' depiction of sexual violence against women. According to Dave Itzkoff of ''[[The New York Times]]'', the scene caused outrage, in part because of comments by director [[Alex Graves]] that the scene became "consensual by the end". Itzkoff also wrote that critics fear that "rape has become so pervasive in the drama that it is almost background noise: a routine and unshocking occurrence".<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014">{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/arts/television/for-game-of-thrones-rising-unease-over-rapes-recurring-role.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|title=For 'Game of Thrones,' Rising Unease Over Rape's Recurring Role|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/arts/television/for-game-of-thrones-rising-unease-over-rapes-recurring-role.html|accessdate=May 4, 2014|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 2, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> Sonia Saraiya of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' wrote that the series' choice to portray this sexual act, and a similar one between [[Daenerys Targaryen]] and [[Khal Drogo]] in the first season—both described as consensual in the source novels—as a rape appeared to be an act of "[[Exploitation fiction|exploitation]] for shock value".<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.avclub.com/article/rape-thrones-203499 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|title=Rape of Thrones Why are the Game Of Thrones showrunners rewriting the books into misogyny?|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/rape-thrones-203499|accessdate=April 21, 2014|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=April 20, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season's]] episode "[[Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken]]", [[Sansa Stark]] is raped by [[Ramsay Bolton]]. Most reviewers, including those from ''Vanity Fair'', ''Salon'', ''The Atlantic'', and ''The Daily Beast'', found the scene gratuitous and artistically unnecessary.<ref name="Atlantic" /><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728222832/http://www.salon.com/2015/05/18/heres_why_people_are_so_upset_about_the_latest_game_of_thrones_rape_so_cheap_such_an_obvious_choice_i_felt_offended_as_a_fan/ |archivedate=July 28, 2016 |url=http://www.salon.com/2015/05/18/heres_why_people_are_so_upset_about_the_latest_game_of_thrones_rape_so_cheap_such_an_obvious_choice_i_felt_offended_as_a_fan/|title=Here's why people are so upset about the latest "Game of Thrones" rape: "So cheap, such an obvious choice, I felt offended as a fan" |last=Silman|first=Anna|work=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]|date=May 18, 2015|accessdate=June 26, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513115940/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11608928/Game-of-Thrones-Unbowed-Unbent-Unbroken-season-5-episode-6-review.html |archivedate=May 13, 2016|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11608928/Game-of-Thrones-Unbowed-Unbent-Unbroken-season-5-episode-6-review.html|title=Game of Thrones: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken, season 5 episode 6, review: 'raw emotion'|last=Runcie|first=Charlotte|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name=DailyBeast>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/19/the-rape-of-sansa-stark-game-of-thrones-goes-off-book-and-enrages-its-female-fans.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/19/the-rape-of-sansa-stark-game-of-thrones-goes-off-book-and-enrages-its-female-fans.html|title=The Rape of Sansa Stark: 'Game of Thrones' Goes Off-Book and Enrages Its Female Fans|last=Leon|first=Melissa|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=May 19, 2015|accessdate=May 20, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> For example, Joanna Robinson, writing for ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'', said that the scene "undercuts all the agency that's been growing in Sansa since the end of last season."<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/game-of-thrones-rape-sansa-stark |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/game-of-thrones-rape-sansa-stark |title=''Game of Thrones'' Absolutely Did ''Not'' Need to Go There with Sansa Stark |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |first=Joanna |last=Robinson |date=May 17, 2015 |accessdate=May 18, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In contrast, Sara Stewart of ''The New York Post'' wondered why viewers were not similarly upset about the many background and minor characters who'd undergone similar or worse treatment.<ref name=NYPost>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://nypost.com/2015/05/19/its-a-stark-reality-outrage-over-sansa-rape-scene-misses-the-point/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://nypost.com/2015/05/19/its-a-stark-reality-outrage-over-sansa-rape-scene-misses-the-point/|title=It's a Stark reality: Outrage over Sansa rape scene misses the point|last=Stewart|first=Sara|work=[[New York Post]]|date=May 19, 2015|accessdate=May 19, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In response to the scene, pop culture website ''[[The Mary Sue]]'' announced that it would cease coverage of the series because of the repeated use of rape as a plot device,<ref name=TheMarySueIsSoDone>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.themarysue.com/we-will-no-longer-be-promoting-hbos-game-of-thrones/ |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.themarysue.com/we-will-no-longer-be-promoting-hbos-game-of-thrones/|title= We Will No Longer Be Promoting HBO's Game of Thrones|last=Pantozzi|first=Jill|work=[[The Mary Sue]]|date=May 18, 2015|accessdate=May 20, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> and U.S. Senator [[Claire McCaskill]] said that she would no longer watch it.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cillizza|first1=Chris|title=Claire McCaskill is done with ‘Game of Thrones’ after Sunday’s rape scene. She’s got a point.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/05/19/claire-mccaskill-is-done-with-game-of-thrones-after-sundays-rape-scene-shes-got-a-point/|accessdate=August 9, 2017|work=Washington Post|date=May 19, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724150232/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/05/19/claire-mccaskill-is-done-with-game-of-thrones-after-sundays-rape-scene-shes-got-a-point/|archivedate=July 24, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As the sixth and seventh seasons saw Daenerys, Sansa and Cersei assume ruling positions, Alyssa Rosenberg of the ''Washington Post'' noted that the series could be seen as a "long-arc revenge fantasy about what happens when women who have been brutalized and raped gain power"—namely, that their past leaves them too broken to do anything but commit brutal acts in their own turn, and that their personal liberation does not effect the social change needed to protect others from suffering.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Alyssa|title=The arguments about women and power in ‘Game of Thrones’ have never been more unsettling|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/08/09/the-arguments-about-women-and-power-in-game-of-thrones-have-never-been-more-unsettling/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|accessdate=August 9, 2017|work=The Washington Post|date=August 9, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809212138/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2017/08/09/the-arguments-about-women-and-power-in-game-of-thrones-have-never-been-more-unsettling/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory|archivedate=August 9, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ===Fandom=== {{main article|A Song of Ice and Fire fandom}} [[File:The Westeros Wing.jpg|thumb|alt=President Obama sits on the Iron Throne in the Oval Office of the White House, surrounded by other people|In this [[manipulated image]] published by the [[White House]], U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] (a fan of the series) sits on the Iron Throne in the [[Oval Office]] with the king's crown on his lap.]] ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' and ''Game of Thrones'' have a broad, active international [[Fandom|fan base]]. In 2012 ''[[New York (magazine)|Vulture.com]]'' ranked the series' fans as the most devoted in popular culture, more so than [[Lady Gaga]]'s, [[Justin Bieber]]'s, ''[[Harry Potter]]''{{'}}s or ''[[Star Wars]]''{{'}}.<ref name="Vulture October 15, 2012">{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html?mid=nymag_press#photo=25x00014 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|title=The 25 Most Devoted Fan Bases|url=http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html?mid=nymag_press#photo=25x00014|accessdate=October 17, 2012|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=October 15, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Fans include political leaders such as former U.S. president [[Barack Obama]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=Shear|first=Michael|title=Obama's TV Picks|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html|accessdate=December 29, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 29, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105010138/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones |archivedate=January 5, 2014 |last=Ghahremani |first=Tanya |title=President Obama 'Really Likes' Game of Thrones, In Case You Were Wondering |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones |accessdate=December 30, 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=December 30, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> former British prime minister [[David Cameron]],<ref>{{cite web|title=David Cameron admits he is a 'Throney' and 'huge fan' on Game of Thrones studio tour|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/568919/David-Cameron-Game-of-Thrones-General-Election-2015|work=[[Daily Express]]|first=Victoria|last=Armstrong|date=April 7, 2015|accessdate=April 10, 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> former Australian prime minister [[Julia Gillard]]<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716014754/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones |archivedate=July 16, 2013 |last=Taylor|first=Lenore|title=Julia Gillard reveals Game of Thrones addiction|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones|accessdate=May 30, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=May 30, 2013|location=London|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426145920/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/07/game-of-thrones-parallels-prime-minister?CMP=twt_gu |archivedate=April 26, 2016|last=Gillard|first=Julia|title=Game of Thrones has parallels with my time as Australian prime minister|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/07/game-of-thrones-parallels-prime-minister?CMP=twt_gu|accessdate=April 7, 2014|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 7, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Dutch foreign minister [[Frans Timmermans]], who framed European politics in quotes from Martin's novels in a 2013 speech.<ref>{{cite news|last=Luoma|first=Sarah|title=Dutch foreign minister uses 'Game of Thrones' as political analogy|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|accessdate=November 2, 2016|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=May 31, 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20161217132623/http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|archivedate=December 17, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[BBC News]] said in 2013 that "the passion and the extreme devotion of fans" had created a phenomenon unlike anything related to other popular TV series, manifesting itself in [[fan fiction]],<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903190051/http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/ |archivedate=September 3, 2016 |last=Templeton |first=Molly |title=The best (and the weirdest) of "Game of Thrones" fanfiction |url=http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/ |accessdate=July 6, 2013 |newspaper=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]] |date=June 16, 2013 |deadurl=no |df= }}</ref> ''Game of Thrones''-themed [[burlesque]] routines and parents naming their children after series characters; writers quoted attributed this success to the rich detail, moral ambiguity, sexual explicitness and epic scale of the series and novels.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915 |archivedate=August 21, 2016|last=de Castella|first=Tom|title=Game of Thrones: Why does it inspire such devotion among fans?|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915|accessdate=March 23, 2013|newspaper=[[BBC News Magazine]]|date=March 22, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> The previous year, "[[Arya (name)|Arya]]" was the fastest-rising girl's name in the U.S. after it jumped in popularity from 711th to 413th place.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019200832/http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/ |archivedate=October 19, 2014 |last=Carlson|first=Adam|title='Game of Thrones' domination is nearly complete: 'Arya' is the fastest-rising name for baby girls|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 10, 2013|accessdate= May 10, 2013|deadurl=yes}}</ref> In 2013 about 58 percent of series viewers were male and 42 percent female, and the average male viewer was 41 years old.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028183047/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/ |archivedate=October 28, 2014 |last=Hibberd|first=James|title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' piracy is a compliment|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/|accessdate=April 3, 2013|newspaper=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 31, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321142339/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones |archivedate=March 21, 2014 |last=Watercutter|first=Angela|title=Yes, Women Really Do Like Game of Thrones (We Have Proof)|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones/|date=June 3, 2013|accessdate=June 6, 2013|work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> According to [[SBS Broadcasting Group]] marketing director Helen Kellie, ''Game of Thrones'' has a high fan-engagement rate; 5.5 percent of the series' 2.9&nbsp;million [[Facebook]] fans talked online about the series in 2012, compared to 1.8&nbsp;percent of the more than ten million fans of ''[[True Blood]]'' (HBO's other fantasy series).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206074236/http://www.marketingmag.com.au/blogs/social-is-coming-of-age-in-the-marketing-mix-a-tv-perspective-25975/ |archivedate=December 6, 2014 |last=Kellie|first=Helen|title=Social is coming of age in the marketing mix – a TV perspective|url=http://www.marketingmag.com.au/blogs/social-is-coming-of-age-in-the-marketing-mix-a-tv-perspective-25975/|accessdate=October 29, 2012|newspaper=Marketing magazine|date=October 26, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Vulture.com cited Westeros.org and WinterIsComing.net (news and discussion forums), ToweroftheHand.com (which organizes communal readings of the novels) and Podcastoficeandfire.com as [[fan sites]] dedicated to the TV and novel series;<ref name="Vulture October 15, 2012" /> and [[podcast]]s cover ''Game of Thrones''.<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623114614/http://www.geeksugar.com/Game-Thrones-Podcasts-30228595 |archivedate=June 23, 2014 |last=Nguyen|first=Nicole|title=In the Game of Thrones, These Podcasts Play to Win|url=http://www.geeksugar.com/Game-Thrones-Podcasts-30228595|accessdate=May 4, 2013|newspaper=Geeksugar|date=May 3, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Awards and accolades=== {{main article|List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones}} ''Game of Thrones'' has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 38 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s,<ref name="emmys.com"/> 5 [[Screen Actors Guild Award]], and a [[Peabody Award]].<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601004713/http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php |archivedate=June 1, 2012 |title=Complete List of Recipients of the 71st Annual Peabody Awards|url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php|publisher=Peabody Awards|date=April 4, 2012|accessdate=November 5, 2016}}</ref> It holds the Emmy-award record for a scripted television series, ahead of ''[[Frasier]]'' (which received 37).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/ |title=Game of Thrones Now Has the Most Emmy Wins Ever |first=Eliana |last=Dockterman |date=September 18, 2016 |work=Time |accessdate=September 19, 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919042453/http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/ |archivedate=September 19, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2013 the [[Writers Guild of America]] listed ''Game of Thrones'' as the 40th "best written" series in television history.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |title='101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List |publisher=[[Deadline.com]] |date=June 2, 2013 |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6H5yn3sZq?url=http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |archivedate=June 3, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> In 2015 ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' placed it at number four on their "best TV shows ever" list,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363 |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105223813/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363 |archivedate=November 5, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> while in 2016 the show was placed seventh on ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]''{{'s}} "The 50 best TV shows ever".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/ |title=The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104130445/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/ |archivedate=November 4, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The same year ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named it the twelfth "greatest TV Show of all time".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-w439520/late-night-with-david-letterman-w439627 |title=100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time |accessdate=November 5, 2016 |work=[[Rolling Stone]] |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105224622/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-w439520/late-night-with-david-letterman-w439627 |archivedate=November 5, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The 2011 [[Game of Thrones (season 1)|first season]] received 13 nominations (including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]), and won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (given to [[Peter Dinklage]] for his portrayal of [[Tyrion Lannister]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design|Outstanding Main Title Design]]. Other nominations included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Winter Is Coming]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[Baelor]]").<ref name="emmys.com"/> Dinklage was also named Best Supporting Actor at the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe]], [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Satellite]] and [[Scream Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-2012-winners-list-282032 |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/golden-globes-2012-winners-list-282032 |title=Golden Globes 2012: The Winners List |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 15, 2012 |accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829120407/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/2011-Scream-Awards-Winners-Vampires-Wizards-Swans-27353.html |archivedate=August 29, 2012 |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/2011-Scream-Awards-Winners-Vampires-Wizards-Swans-27353.html|title=The 2011 Scream Awards Winners: Vampires, Wizards And Swans |publisher=Cinemablend|first=Kelly |last=West |date=June 19, 2011|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318221149/http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/ |archivedate=March 18, 2016 |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/award_cat/2011/|title=2011 Winners|publisher=[[International Press Academy]]|date=June 19, 2011|accessdate=August 29, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2012, the [[Game of Thrones (season 2)|second season]] received six [[64th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards]] from 11 nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage).<ref name="emmys.com"/> The 2013 [[Game of Thrones (season 3)|third season]] received 16 Emmy nominations, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Emilia Clarke]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Diana Rigg]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[The Rains of Castamere]]"), winning two [[65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]].<ref name="emmys.com"/> In 2014 the [[Game of Thrones (season 4)|fourth season]] received four [[66th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]] from 19 nominations, which included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] ([[Lena Headey]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series]] (Rigg), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[The Watchers on the Wall]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[The Children (Game of Thrones)|The Children]]").<ref name="emmys.com"/> The 2015 [[Game of Thrones (season 5)|fifth season]] won the most Primetime Emmy Awards for a series in a year (12 awards from 24 nominations), including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]]; other wins included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Mother's Mercy]]") and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("[[Mother's Mercy]]"), and eight were [[67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmy Awards]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901192112/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-wins-record-1201598356/ |archivedate=September 1, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-wins-record-1201598356/ |title='Game of Thrones' Sets Record for Most Emmy Wins in a Year |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=September 20, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |accessdate=September 21, 2015|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, the [[Game of Thrones (season 6)|sixth season]] received the most nominations for the [[68th Primetime Emmy Awards]] (23). It won for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]], [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[Battle of the Bastards]]"), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Writing]] ("Battle of the Bastards"), and nine [[68th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards|Creative Arts Emmys]]. Nominations included [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] (Dinklage and [[Kit Harington]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] (Clarke, Headey and [[Maisie Williams]]), [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series]] ([[Max von Sydow]]) and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series|Outstanding Directing]] ("[[The Door (Game of Thrones)|The Door]]").<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830110843/http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-2016-emmys-nominations-1201814023/ |archivedate=August 30, 2016 |url=http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-2016-emmys-nominations-1201814023/ |title='Game of Thrones' Rules 2016 Emmy Race With 23 Nominations |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=July 14, 2016 |accessdate=July 14, 2016 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> ===Viewer numbers=== The first season averaged 2.5 million viewers for its first Sunday-night screenings and a gross audience (including repeats and on-demand viewings) of 9.3 million viewers per episode.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508025251/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/03/game_of_thrones_how_hbo_and_showtime_make_money_despite_low_ratings_.html |archivedate=May 8, 2016 |last= Thomas|first=June|title=How Much Gold Is Game of Thrones Worth |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/03/game_of_thrones_how_hbo_and_showtime_make_money_despite_low_ratings_.html |date=March 29, 2012 |accessdate=June 5, 2014|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|deadurl=no}}</ref> For its second season, the series had an average gross audience of 11.6 million viewers.<ref>{{cite press |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/04/02/hbo-renews-game-of-thrones-for-fourth-season-100210/20130402hbo01/ |title=HBO Renews 'Game of Thrones' for Fourth Season |publisher=[[HBO]] |date=April 2, 2013 |accessdate=August 23, 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archivedate=July 16, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The third season was seen by 14.2 million viewers, making ''Game of Thrones'' the second-most-viewed HBO series (after ''[[The Sopranos]]'').<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020132436/http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/game-of-thrones-is-time-warners-cash-cow.html/?a=viewall |archivedate=October 20, 2014 |last=Ritter|first=Dan|title=Game of Thrones is Time Warner's Cash Cow|url=http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/game-of-thrones-is-time-warners-cash-cow.html/?a=viewall|accessdate=August 8, 2013|newspaper=Wall Street Cheat Sheet|date=August 7, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124632/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html |archivedate=March 4, 2016 |last=Adalian|first=Josef|title=For HBO, Game of Thrones Ratings Second Only to The Sopranos|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html|accessdate=June 6, 2013|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|date=June 8, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> For the fourth season, HBO said that its average gross audience of 18.4 million viewers (later adjusted to 18.6 million) had passed ''The Sopranos'' for the record.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603155225/http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/game-of-thrones-has-become-more-popular-than-the-sopranos-sorta-kinda |archivedate=June 3, 2016 |last= Fienberg|first=Daniel|title='Game of Thrones' has become more popular than 'The Sopranos' sorta kinda |url=http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/game-of-thrones-has-become-more-popular-than-the-sopranos-sorta-kinda |date=June 5, 2014 |accessdate=June 5, 2014|work=[[HitFix]]|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020021930/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616 |archivedate=October 20, 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616 |title='Game of Thrones' draws 7.1 million viewers for blood-filled finale |date=June 16, 2014 |agency=Reuters |first=Piya |last=Sinha-Roy |accessdate=July 13, 2014|deadurl=no}}</ref> By the sixth season the average per-episode gross viewing figure had increased to over 25 million, with nearly 40 percent of viewers watching on HBO digital platforms.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214019/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-ratings-show-brought-in-251-million-viewers-on-average-per-episode-a7144261.html |archivedate=August 19, 2016 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-6-ratings-show-brought-in-251-million-viewers-on-average-per-episode-a7144261.html|title=Game of Thrones season 6 ratings: Show brought in 25.1 million viewers on average per episode |first=Jack |last=Shepherd |work=[[The Independent]] |date=July 19, 2016 |accessdate=July 22, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 2016, a ''[[New York Times]]'' study of the 50 TV shows with the most [[Facebook Like]]s found that ''Game of Thrones'' was "much more popular in cities than in the countryside, probably the only show involving zombies that is".<ref name="katz20161227">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html |title='Duck Dynasty' vs. 'Modern Family': 50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide |last=Katz |first=Josh |date=December 27, 2016 |accessdate=December 28, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20170329083111/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html?_r=1 |archivedate=March 29, 2017 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The series set records on pay-television channels in the United Kingdom (with a 2016 average audience of more than five million on all platforms)<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910043635/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/06/game-of-thrones-most-popular-sky-series-ever-as-16m-download-show |archivedate=September 10, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/06/game-of-thrones-most-popular-sky-series-ever-as-16m-download-show |title=Game of Thrones most popular Sky series ever with 5m viewers |first=John |last=Plunkett |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 6, 2016 |accessdate=July 6, 2016|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Australia (with a cumulative average audience of 1.2 million).<ref>{{cite news|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702083442/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-season-six-finale-sets-australian-audience-record-for-foxtel-20160629-gpu4kj.html |archivedate=July 2, 2016 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-season-six-finale-sets-australian-audience-record-for-foxtel-20160629-gpu4kj.html |title=Game of Thrones season six finale sets Australian audience record for Foxtel |date=June 29, 2016 |first=Michael |last=Idato |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |accessdate=July 6, 2016 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The following graph indicates first-airing viewer numbers in the US: {{Game of Thrones ratings}} ==Other media and products== {{see also|Works based on A Song of Ice and Fire}} ===Video games=== {{main article|List of A Song of Ice and Fire video games}} The series has inspired [[List of A Song of Ice and Fire video games|four video games]] based on the TV series and novels. The strategy game ''[[Game of Thrones Ascent]]'' ties into the HBO series, making characters and settings available to players as they appear on television.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824094356/http://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-ascent-is-more-up-to-date-with-the-sho-476864152 |archivedate=August 24, 2016 |last=Fahey|first=Mike|title=Game of Thrones: Ascent is More Up-to-Date With the Show Than You Are|url=http://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-ascent-is-more-up-to-date-with-the-sho-476864152|accessdate=April 23, 2013|publisher=Kotaku|date=April 22, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Merchandise and exhibition=== [[File:Game of Thrones merchandise in HBO shop.jpg|thumb|alt=A selection of the show's merchandise|''Game of Thrones'' merchandise in HBO's New York City store]] HBO has licensed a variety of [[Merchandising#Licensing|merchandise]] based on ''Game of Thrones'', including [[A Game of Thrones games|games]], replica weapons and armor, jewelry, [[bobblehead]] dolls by [[Funko]], beer by [[Brewery Ommegang|Ommegang]] and apparel.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429131316/http://www.licensing.biz/brand-profiles/264/Game-of-Thrones |archivedate=April 29, 2016 |last=Sacco|first=Dominic|title=Brand Profiles: Game of Thrones|url=http://www.licensing.biz/brand-profiles/264/Game-of-Thrones|accessdate=June 16, 2013|newspaper=Licensing.biz|date=June 11, 2013}}</ref> High-end merchandise includes a $10,500 [[Ulysse Nardin]] wristwatch<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221182759/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch |archivedate=December 21, 2014 |last=Miller|first=Julie|title="Is the $10,500 Game of Thrones Watch Blood-Resistant?" and Our Other Most Pressing Concerns About the Official "Night's" Timepiece|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=May 9, 2013 |deadurl=no}}</ref> and a $30,000 [[resin]] replica of the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129073534/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne |archivedate=November 29, 2014 |last=Miller|first=Julie|title=The Pros and Cons of Owning a $30,000 Game of Thrones Replica Throne|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne|accessdate=May 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=June 5, 2012}}</ref> In 2013 and 2014, a traveling exhibition of costumes, props, armor and weapons from the series visited major cities in Europe and the Americas.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html | title=Exhibition | publisher=[[HBO]] | accessdate=February 19, 2013 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222012445/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html | archivedate=February 22, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> ===Accompanying material=== ''[[Thronecast]]: The Official Guide to Game of Thrones'', a series of [[podcast]]s presented by [[Geoff Lloyd]] and produced by Koink, has been released on the [[Sky Atlantic]] website and the UK [[iTunes]] store during the series' run; a new podcast, with analysis and cast interviews, is released after each episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/thronecast-official-fan-show/id429051561|title=Thronecast: The Official Fan Show for Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic HD|date=April 18, 2011|accessdate=April 18, 2012|publisher=[[iTunes Store]]|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417105123/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/thronecast-official-fan-show/id429051561|archivedate=April 17, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2014 and 2015 HBO commissioned ''[[Catch the Throne]]'', two rap albums about the series.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604042838/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142 |archivedate=June 4, 2016 |last=Whelan|first=Robbie|title=Unlikely Mix: Rappers, Dragons and Fantasy: HBO Hires Hip-Hop, Latin-Music Artists to Promote 'Game of Thrones'|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142|accessdate=March 7, 2014|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=March 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910094058/http://www.spin.com/2015/03/game-of-thrones-catch-the-throne-2-talib-kweli-stream/ |archivedate=September 10, 2016 |url=http://www.spin.com/2015/03/game-of-thrones-catch-the-throne-2-talib-kweli-stream/ |title=Snoop Dogg, Talib Kweli, Mastodon, More To Appear On 'Game of Thrones' Mixtape |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|first=Colin |last=Joyce |date=March 7, 2015 |accessdate=April 4, 2015 |deadurl=no}}</ref> A companion book, ''Inside HBO's Game of Thrones'' ({{ISBN|978-1-4521-1010-3}}) by series writer [[Bryan Cogman]], was published on September 27, 2012. The 192-page book, illustrated with concept art and behind-the-scenes photographs, covers the creation of the series' first two seasons and its principal characters and families.<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020211004/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/ |archivedate=October 20, 2014 |last=Edwards|first=Richard|title=Inside HBO's Game Of Thrones by Bryan Cogman REVIEW|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/|accessdate=September 27, 2012|newspaper=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|date=September 21, 2012}}</ref> ''[[After the Thrones]]'' is a [[live television|live]] [[aftershow]] in which hosts [[Andy Greenwald]] and Chris Ryan discuss episodes of the series. It airs on [[HBO Now]] the Monday after each sixth-season episode.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506102116/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo |archivedate=May 6, 2016 |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo|title=HBO orders Game of Thrones weekly after-show from Bill Simmons |last=Snierson |first=Dan |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 4, 2016 |accessdate=April 5, 2016 |deadurl=no}}</ref> The [[Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience]], a 28-city orchestral tour which will perform the series' soundtrack with composer [[Ramin Djawadi]], is scheduled to begin February 15, 2017 in [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite news |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour |archivedate=August 21, 2016 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour|title=Game of Thrones concert experience hits the road in 2017|date=August 8, 2016|accessdate=August 9, 2016|work=[[The Guardian]] |deadurl=no}}</ref> ===Successor series=== After years of speculation about possible [[Spin-off (media)|successor shows]], in May 2017 HBO commissioned five screenwriters – [[Max Borenstein]], [[Jane Goldman]], [[Brian Helgeland]], [[Carly Wray]] and a fifth writer yet to be announced – to develop individual ''Game of Thrones'' successor series. All of the writers are to be working individually with George R. R. Martin.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title='Game of Thrones': Fifth "Successor Show" in the Works at HBO, George R.R. Martin Says|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-fifth-successor-show-works-at-hbo-george-rr-martin-says-1003682|accessdate=May 15, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 14, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515142249/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-fifth-successor-show-works-at-hbo-george-rr-martin-says-1003682|archivedate=May 15, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Martin said that all the concepts under discussion are prequels, and some may be set outside Westeros. He also ruled out Robert's Rebellion (the overthrow of Daenerys's father by Robert Baratheon) as a possible idea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html|title=About Those Spinoffs...|first=George R.R.|last=Martin|date=May 14, 2017|website=Not A Blog|access-date=August 6, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814193454/http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html|archivedate=August 14, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> D. B. Weiss and David Benioff said that they would not be involved with any of the projects, and want to enjoy the successor series as fans.<ref name="finalseason"/> Martin is co-writing two of the four announced scripts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|title='Game of Thrones' Future Explained: Could All the Prequels Move Forward?|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=July 12, 2017|accessdate=July 17, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archivedate=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Game of Thrones}} {{Wikiquote}} {{Wikivoyage|Game of Thrones tourism}} {{portal|Television in the United States|2010s}} * {{official|www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones}} – (United States) * {{official|www.hbouk.com/game-of-thrones}} – (United Kingdom) * {{IMDb title|0944947|Game of Thrones}} * [http://viewers-guide.hbo.com ''Game of Thrones'' Viewers Guide] * [http://www.makinggameofthrones.com Making of Game of Thrones] {{Navboxes |title = Articles related to ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' |list = {{A Song of Ice and Fire}} {{George R. R. Martin}} {{Game of Thrones Episodes}} {{David Benioff}} {{HBONetwork Shows}} }} {{Navboxes |title = Awards for ''Game of Thrones'' |list = {{CriticsChoiceTVBestDramaSeries}} {{EmmyAward DramaSeries}} {{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form}} {{Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form}} {{Satellite Award Best Genre Television Series}} {{Saturn Award for Best Television Presentation}} {{TCA Award for Program of the Year}} {{TCA Award for Outstanding New Program}} {{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama}} {{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}} {{ScreenActorsGuildAward StuntEnsembleTelevision}} }} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Game Of Thrones (TV Series)}} [[Category:2010s American drama television series]] [[Category:2010s American television series]] [[Category:2011 American television series debuts]] [[Category:American adventure television series]] [[Category:American drama television series]] [[Category:American fantasy television series]] [[Category:Dark fantasy television series]] [[Category:Dragons in popular culture]] [[Category:English-language television programming]] [[Category:Family saga]] [[Category:Game of Thrones| ]] [[Category:HBO network shows]] [[Category:High fantasy television series]] [[Category:Incest in television]] [[Category:Magic in television]] [[Category:Peabody Award-winning television programs]] [[Category:Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series winners]] [[Category:Serial drama television series]] [[Category:Television programs based on novels]] [[Category:Television series about dysfunctional families]] [[Category:Television series with multiple main characters]] [[Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles]] [[Category:Witchcraft in television]]'
Whether or not the change was made through a Tor exit node (tor_exit_node)
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Unix timestamp of change (timestamp)
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