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{{Short description|American fantasy drama TV series (2011–2019)}}
{{Redirect|GoT|other uses|GOT (disambiguation){{!}}GOT}}
{{About|the TV series}}
{{Good article}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Game of Thrones title card.jpg
| image_alt            = Main title card for Game of Thrones
| caption              = Title card for the first seven seasons
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
*[[Action fiction|Action]]
*[[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]
* [[Fantasy television|Fantasy]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Noah Harari |first1=Yuval |title=Game of Thrones: A Battle of Reality Versus Fantasy |url=https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-a-battle-of-reality-versus-fantasy/ |access-date=May 19, 2020 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603092336/https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-a-battle-of-reality-versus-fantasy/ |archive-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Serial drama]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Alsop |first1=Elizabeth |title=The Unbearable Darkness of Prestige Television |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/true-detective-game-of-thrones-bleak-television/397577/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 19, 2020 |work=[[The Atlantic]]|publisher=[[Emerson Collective]] |date=July 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710080204/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/true-detective-game-of-thrones-bleak-television/397577/ |archive-date=July 10, 2015|quote=From the bro-style bloviating (or, broviating) of ''[[True Detective]]''{{'}}s first season, to the ominous proclaiming that punctuates the general whoring and slaying of ''Game of Thrones'', to the unceasing climatological and psychological punishments meted out to the cast of ''[[The Killing (American TV series)|The Killing]]'', it seems as though some of the most celebrated recent examples of serial drama have elected self-seriousness as their default tone.}}</ref>
* [[Tragedy]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Arp |first1=Robert |author-link=Robert Arp|editor1-last=J. Silverman |editor1-first=Eric |title=The Ultimate Game of Thrones and Philosophy |date=2017 |publisher=[[Open Court Publishing Company]] |isbn=9780812699555 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oMIxDQAAQBAJ&dq=game+of+thrones+%22tragedy%22&pg=PT21 |url-status=live |access-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526123600/https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Ultimate_Game_of_Thrones_and_Philoso/oMIxDQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=game+of+thrones+%22tragedy%22&pg=PT21&printsec=frontcover |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |quote=Like ''Game of Thrones'', the action in those ancient tragedies centered on the stories of four ruling dynasties: House Atreus of Mycenae, House Cadmus in Thebes, House Erichthonius in Athens, and House Minos in Crete.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Marcotte |first1=Amanda |title=Don't Be So Shocked by the Deaths on Game of Thrones: The Show Is a Classical Tragedy |url=https://slate.com/culture/2015/06/game-of-thrones-is-a-classical-tragedy-don-t-be-so-shocked-by-the-deaths.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 19, 2020 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |publisher=[[The Slate Group]] |date=June 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123223358/https://slate.com/culture/2015/06/game-of-thrones-is-a-classical-tragedy-don-t-be-so-shocked-by-the-deaths.html |archive-date=January 23, 2019 |quote=But while Game of Thrones is in part a rebuttal to traditional fantasy fiction, I'd argue that it's become clear—after five books in A Song of Ice and Fire and five seasons of the TV series—that Martin and showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff are actually playing with a format that isn't so revolutionary at all: They're reviving and updating the classical tragedy as a narrative form.}}</ref>
}}
| creator              = {{Plainlist|
* [[David Benioff]]
* {{nowrap|[[D. B. Weiss]]}}
}}
| showrunner           = {{Plainlist|
* David Benioff
* {{nowrap|D. B. Weiss}}
}}
| based_on             = {{Based on|''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]''|{{Nowrap|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}}}
| starring             = <!-- Do not add cast without consensus on the talk page --> see [[List of Game of Thrones characters#Main cast|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          = 8
| num_episodes         = <onlyinclude>73</onlyinclude>
| list_episodes        = List of Game of Thrones episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
<!--- Season 1 --->
* David Benioff
* {{nowrap|D. B. Weiss}}
<!--- Season 3 --->
* {{nowrap|George R. R. Martin}}
* [[Carolyn Strauss]]
* Frank Doelger
* [[Bernadette Caulfield]]
<!--- Season 6 --->
* [[Bryan Cogman]]
<!--- Season 8 --->
* [[Miguel Sapochnik]]
* [[David Nutter]]
}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
<!--- Season 1 --->
* [[Mark Huffam]]
* Joanna Burn
<!--- Season 3 --->
* Chris Newman
* Greg Spence
<!--- Season 5 --->
* Lisa McAtackney
<!--- Season 8 --->
* Duncan Muggoch
}}
| location             = <!-- 
Per [[Template:Infobox television]], this is for nations the series was primarily filmed in, if different from the nation of origin.
Per [[WP:OVERLINK]] we do not wikilink the names of countries.
Try to keep in order of prevalence. -->{{Plainlist|
* United Kingdom<!-- Main shooting location is studios in Belfast, used for most interior scenes. Also used for Winterfell, Castle Black, Vaes Dothrak, Riverrun, Iron Islands. -->
* Croatia<!-- King's Landing, Red Keep, Red Waste, Qarth, Meereen -->
* Iceland<!-- Scenes north of the Wall -->
* Spain<!-- Dorne, Volantis -->
* Malta<!-- S1 King's Landing exterior -->
* Morocco<!-- S3 Astapor, Yunkai -->
* Canada<!-- S5, S7 Banff, Alta, Calgary -->
}}
| runtime              = 50–82 minutes<!-- Shortest: 50:32, longest: 82:08 -->
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[HBO Entertainment]]
* [[Television 360]]
* Grok! Television
* Generator Entertainment
* Startling Television
* [[Bighead Littlehead]]
}}
| network              = [[HBO]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2011|4|17}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2019|5|19}}
| related              = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Thronecast]]''
* ''[[After the Thrones]]''
* ''[[House of the Dragon]]''
* ''[[A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (TV series)|A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms]]''
}}
}}

'''''Game of Thrones''''' is<!--Do NOT change to "was". It is and will always be a television series, hence "is" is correct, despite it having stopped airing.--> an American<!--Awards/nominations do not go here--> [[Fantasy television|fantasy]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]]<!-- Do not add a flavor of fantasy, such as high, epic or medieval fantasy here. Detailed discussion of genre, if it can be cited to reliable sources, belongs in the article body, not the lead sentence. --> television series created by [[David Benioff]] and {{nowrap|[[D. B. Weiss]]}} for [[HBO]]. It is an adaptation of ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', a series of fantasy novels by {{nowrap|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}, the first of which is ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''. The show premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17, 2011, and concluded on May 19, 2019, with 73 episodes broadcast over eight seasons.

Set on the fictional continents of [[Westeros]] and [[Essos]], ''Game of Thrones'' has a large [[ensemble cast]] and follows several [[story arc]]s throughout the course of the show. The first major arc concerns the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]] of the [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Seven Kingdoms|Seven Kingdoms]] of Westeros through a web of political conflicts among the noble families either vying to claim the throne or fighting for independence from whomever sits on it. The second major arc focuses on the last descendant of the realm's deposed ruling dynasty, who has been exiled to Essos and is plotting to return and reclaim the throne. The third follows the Night's Watch, a military order defending the realm against threats from beyond Westeros's northern border.

''Game of Thrones'' attracted a record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, and international fan base. Many critics and publications have named the show one of the greatest television series of all time. Critics have praised the series for its acting, complex characters, story, scope, and production values, although its frequent use of nudity and violence (including sexual violence) generated controversy. The [[Game of Thrones season 8|final season]] received significant criticism for its reduced length and creative decisions, with many considering it a disappointing conclusion.<!-- See the "critical reception" section for references. The lead is a summary and as such is normally not footnoted. --> The series received 59 [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], the most by a drama series, including [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series|Outstanding Drama Series]] in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. 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]], a [[Peabody Award]], and five nominations for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama]].

A prequel series, ''[[House of the Dragon]]'', premiered on HBO in 2022. A second prequel currently in production, ''[[A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (TV series)|A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms]]'', is scheduled to debut in 2025.

==<span class="anchor" id="Overview"></span>Premise==
=== Plot ===
{{See also|A Song of Ice and Fire#Plot synopsis|l1=Synopsis of ''A Song of Ice and Fire''|World of A Song of Ice and Fire{{!}}World of ''A Song of Ice and Fire''}}
''Game of Thrones'' is roughly based on the storylines of the ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' book series by {{nowrap|[[George R. R. Martin]]}}, set in the fictional [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Westeros|Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]] and the continent of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Essos|Essos]].<ref name="var">{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Michael |title=HBO turns 'Fire' into fantasy series |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=January 16, 2007 |access-date=March 2, 2010 |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/hbo-turns-fire-into-fantasy-series-1117957532/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516224747/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117957532?refCatId=14 |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite book |last=Cogman |first=Bryan |title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ |access-date=November 6, 2016 |date=November 6, 2014 |publisher=[[Orion Publishing Group|Orion]] |isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0 |page=4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ |archive-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref> The series follows several simultaneous plot lines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ordoña |first1=Michael |title='Game of Thrones': Second chances and second lives for key characters |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-st-game-of-thrones-character-arcs-emmys-20190516-story.html |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105144206/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-st-game-of-thrones-character-arcs-emmys-20190516-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2020}}</ref> The first [[story arc]] follows a [[war of succession]] among competing claimants for control of the [[Iron Throne (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Iron Throne]] of the Seven Kingdoms, with other noble families fighting for independence from the throne. The second concerns the exiled [[Lineal descendant|scion]]'s actions to reclaim the throne; the third chronicles the threat of the impending winter, as well as the [[Others (A Song of Ice and Fire)|legendary creatures]] and fierce peoples of the North.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/04/08/game-of-thrones-winter-is-coming-review |title=Game of Thrones: "Winter is Coming" Review |last=Fowler |first=Matt |date=April 8, 2011 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817073932/http://tv.ign.com/articles/116/1160215p1.html |archive-date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref>

===Cast and characters===
{{main|List of Game of Thrones characters|l1=List of ''Game of Thrones'' characters}}
''Game of Thrones'' has an [[ensemble cast]] which has been estimated to be the largest on television.<ref name="hibberd1">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105005619/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/ |archive-date=January 5, 2015 |last=Hibberd |first=James |title='Game of Thrones' scoop: Season 3 character list revealed – Exclusive |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/05/29/game-of-throne-season-3-cast/ |access-date=January 20, 2022 |date=May 29, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, several actors' contracts were renegotiated to include a seventh-season option.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813105026/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314 |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |last1=Belloni |first1=Matthew |last2=Goldberg |first2=Lesley |title='Game of Thrones' Cast Signs for Season 7 with Big Raises |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-cast-signs-season-744314/ |access-date=January 20, 2022 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |date=October 30, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> By the final season, five of the main cast members made {{nowrap|$1 million}} per episode, making them among the [[List of highest paid American television stars|highest paid television performers]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Gonzales|first1=Erica|last2=Jones|first2=Alexis|date=April 1, 2019|title=Game of Thrones Stars Could Be Making Millions Per Episode in the Final Season|magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a12048623/game-of-thrones-salaries-per-episode/|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402041040/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a12048623/game-of-thrones-salaries-per-episode/|archive-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Back|first=Grace|date=May 15, 2019|title=Here's How Much Money The 'Game of Thrones' Cast Makes Per Episode|work=[[Marie Claire#Australia|Marie Claire Australia]]|publisher=[[Pacific Magazines]]|url=https://www.marieclaire.com.au/game-of-thrones-salary|url-status=live|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515155716/https://www.marieclaire.com.au/game-of-thrones-salary|archive-date=May 15, 2019}}</ref>

[[Ned Stark|Eddard "Ned" Stark]] ([[Sean Bean]]) is the head of [[List of A Song of Ice and Fire characters#House Stark|House Stark]]. He and his wife, [[Catelyn Tully|Catelyn]] ([[Michelle Fairley]]), have five children: [[Robb Stark|Robb]] ([[Richard Madden]]), [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] ([[Sophie Turner]]), [[Arya Stark|Arya]] ([[Maisie Williams]]), [[Bran Stark|Bran]] ([[Isaac Hempstead-Wright]]), and [[Rickon Stark|Rickon]] ([[Art Parkinson]]). Ned also has an [[Legitimacy (family law)|illegitimate]] son, [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]] ([[Kit Harington]]), who, along with his scholarly friend, [[Samwell Tarly]] ([[John Bradley (English actor)|John Bradley]]), serve in the [[Night's Watch]] under Lord Commander [[Jeor Mormont]] ([[James Cosmo]]). The Wildlings living north of the Wall include [[Gilly (A Song of Ice and Fire)|Gilly]] ([[Hannah Murray]]) and the warriors [[Tormund Giantsbane]] ([[Kristofer Hivju]]) and [[Ygritte]] ([[Rose Leslie]]).<ref name="telegraphcast">{{cite news |last1=Power |first1=Ed |title=Game of Thrones main characters and cast – a complete list of those alive and dead at the end of the finale |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/game-thrones-cast-characters-full-list-alive-dead-finale/ |access-date=May 19, 2020 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524194024/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/game-thrones-cast-characters-full-list-alive-dead-finale/ |archive-date=May 24, 2019}}</ref>

Others associated with House Stark include Ned's ward [[Theon Greyjoy]] ([[Alfie Allen]]), Ned's [[vassal]] [[Roose Bolton]] ([[Michael McElhatton]]), and Roose's illegitimate son, [[Ramsay Snow]] ([[Iwan Rheon]]). Robb accepts help from the healer [[Talisa Maegyr]] ([[Oona Chaplin]]), while elsewhere, Arya befriends blacksmith's apprentice [[Gendry|Gendry Rivers]] ([[Joe Dempsie]]) and assassin [[Jaqen H'ghar]] ([[Tom Wlaschiha]]). In the Stormlands, the tall warrior [[Brienne of Tarth]] ([[Gwendoline Christie]]) is introduced to Catelyn.

In [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#King's Landing|King's Landing]], Ned's best friend, King [[Robert Baratheon|Robert I Baratheon]] ([[Mark Addy]]), shares a loveless political marriage with [[Cersei Lannister]] ([[Lena Headey]]). Her younger twin brother, Ser [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] ([[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]]), serves on the Kingsguard while their younger brother [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] ([[Peter Dinklage]]) is attended by his mistress [[Shae (character)|Shae]] ([[Sibel Kekilli]]) and [[mercenary]] [[Bronn (character)|Bronn]] ([[Jerome Flynn]]). Cersei's father is [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] ([[Charles Dance]]), head of [[House Lannister]] and the richest man in [[Westeros]]. Cersei has two sons: [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] ([[Jack Gleeson]]) and [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]] ([[Dean-Charles Chapman]])<!-- DO NOT PUT MYRCELLAS ACTRESSES -->. Joffrey is guarded by the scar-faced warrior [[Sandor Clegane|Sandor "The Hound" Clegane]] ([[Rory McCann]]).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alter |first1=Rebecca |last2=Polk |first2=Milan |title=The First and Last Appearances of Game of Thrones' Most Memorable Characters |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-characters-first-last-appearances-deaths.html |access-date=May 19, 2020 |work=[[New York (magazine)#Digital expansion and destination sites|Vulture]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=May 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212123722/https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-characters-first-last-appearances-deaths.html |archive-date=December 12, 2019}}</ref>

The king's Small Council includes his [[treasurer]], [[Petyr Baelish|Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish]] ([[Aidan Gillen]]), and his [[spymaster]], [[Varys]] ([[Conleth Hill]]). In [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Dragonstone|Dragonstone]], Robert's younger brother, [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] ([[Stephen Dillane]]), is advised by foreign priestess [[Melisandre]] ([[Carice van Houten]]) and former smuggler Ser [[Davos Seaworth]] ([[Liam Cunningham]]). In [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#The Reach|the Reach]], the [[List of A Song of Ice and Fire characters#House Tyrell|Tyrell]] family is led by matriarch [[Olenna Tyrell|Olenna]] ([[Diana Rigg]]) and represented at court by her granddaughter [[Margaery Tyrell|Margaery]] ([[Natalie Dormer]]). [[The High Sparrow]] ([[Jonathan Pryce]]) is given power as a religious leader, while, in [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Dorne|Dorne]], the warrior [[Ellaria Sand]] ([[Indira Varma]]) seeks vengeance against the [[Lannister]]s.<ref name="telegraphcast" />

Across the Narrow Sea in [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Free Cities and vicinity|Pentos]], siblings [[List of A Song of Ice and Fire characters#Viserys Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] ([[Harry Lloyd]]) and [[Daenerys Targaryen]] ([[Emilia Clarke]]) (colloquially referred to as "Dany") are in exile, with the former plotting to reclaim his father's throne. Daenerys is forced into marrying [[Khal Drogo]] ([[Jason Momoa]]), a leader of the nomadic [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire#Dothraki Sea|Dothraki]]. Her retinue eventually comes to include the exiled knight Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] ([[Iain Glen]]), her aide [[Missandei]] ([[Nathalie Emmanuel]]), mercenary [[Daario Naharis]] ([[Michiel Huisman]]), and elite soldier [[List of Game of Thrones characters#Grey Worm|Grey Worm]] ([[Jacob Anderson]]).<ref name="telegraphcast" />

{| class="center toccolours"
|+ '''Main cast and characters'''
|<gallery mode="packed" heights="140" style="line-height:130%">
File:Peter Dinklage by Gage Skidmore.jpg |[[Peter Dinklage]] ([[Tyrion Lannister]])
File:Headey, Lena (2007) (headshot).jpg |[[Lena Headey]] ([[Cersei Lannister]]) 
File:Nikolaj Coster-Waldau by Gage Skidmore.jpg |[[Nikolaj Coster-Waldau]] ([[Jaime Lannister]])
File:Emilia Clarke Cannes 2018.jpg|[[Emilia Clarke]] ([[Daenerys Targaryen]])
File:Kit harrington by sachyn mital (cropped 2).jpg |[[Kit Harington]] ([[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]])
File:Sophie Turner by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg |[[Sophie Turner]] ([[Sansa Stark]])
File:Maisie Williams (19647942976) (cropped).jpg |[[Maisie Williams]] ([[Arya Stark]])
File:Isaac Hempstead Wright (2019) (cropped).jpg |[[Isaac Hempstead Wright]] ([[Bran Stark]])
File:Iain Glen.jpg |[[Iain Glen]] ([[Jorah Mormont]])
File:Alfie Allen by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg |[[Alfie Allen]] ([[Theon Greyjoy]])
</gallery>
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 
|}

===Themes===
{{Main|Themes in A Song of Ice and Fire|l1=Themes in ''A Song of Ice and Fire''}}
The series has been praised by both television critics and historians for what was perceived as a sort of medieval realism.<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014">{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Sarah|date=March 22, 2014|title='Sopranos meets Middle-earth': how Game of Thrones took over our world|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love|url-status=live|access-date=March 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920154652/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/mar/22/game-of-thrones-whats-not-to-love|archive-date=September 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=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 |access-date=November 9, 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125162905/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history |archive-date=January 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Katz |first=Brandon |date=April 11, 2019 |title=How Much Is 'Game of Thrones' Inspired by Real-Life Battles? An Expert Weighs In. |work=[[The New York Observer]] |url=https://observer.com/2019/04/game-of-thrones-questions-theories-season-8-predictions-historical-accuracy/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512220423/https://observer.com/2019/04/game-of-thrones-questions-theories-season-8-predictions-historical-accuracy/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> {{nowrap|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 news |last=Richards |first=Linda |url=http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |title=January interview: George R.R. Martin |work=[[January Magazine]] |date=January 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419154308/http://januarymagazine.com/profiles/grrmartin.html |archive-date=April 19, 2012 |access-date=August 22, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Itzkoff |first1=Dave |title=His Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: George R. R. Martin Talks 'Game of Thrones' |url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120605030438/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/his-beautiful-dark-twisted-fantasy-george-r-r-martin-talks-game-of-thrones/ |archive-date=June 5, 2012}}</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 |access-date=November 6, 2016 |date=November 6, 2014 |publisher=Orion |isbn=978-1-4732-1040-0 |page=7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185619/https://books.google.com/books?id=gzYfBQAAQBAJ |archive-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref> Martin has said that, "the true horrors of human history derive not from [[orc]]s and Dark Lords, but from ourselves".<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014" /> Academics have classified the series as [[Neo-medievalism|neo-medieval]] which focuses on the overlapping of medieval history and popular fantasy.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Kellyann |title=Neomedievalism, Popular Culture, and the Academy |year=2019 |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=124–125 |doi=10.2307/j.ctvktrx88 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvktrx88 |publisher=[[Boydell & Brewer]] |jstor=j.ctvktrx88 |isbn=9781843845416 |s2cid=241392823 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=April 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424033300/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvktrx88 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Young |first1=Joseph |title=Review of Medievalism in a Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones |journal=[[Mythlore]] |date=2018 |volume=37 |issue=1 (133) |pages=248–251 |jstor=26809343 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26809343 |issn=0146-9339 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |archive-date=April 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420094812/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26809343 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Larsson |first1=Simon |last2=Lundström |first2=Markus |title=Anarchy in the Game of Thrones |journal=Neohelicon |date=June 2020 |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=117–129 |doi=10.1007/s11059-020-00522-5 |s2cid=216189073 |doi-access=free}}</ref> 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 |author-link=Nick Gevers |url=http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |title=Sunsets of High Renown – An Interview with George R. R. Martin |website=Infinity Plus |date=December 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315132853/http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfiction/intgrrm.htm |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=August 22, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In the series, political leaders have mostly been portrayed negatively, as they usually disregard the well-being of the common people and are guided in their decisions by selfish reasons. Few possible exceptions include Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister, who have shown concern about the populace, but their methods or commitment to the cause have been criticized.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2017/07/16/the-politics-of-game-of-thrones/ |title=The politics of "Game of Thrones" |newspaper=The Washington Post |first=Ilya |last=Somin |date=July 16, 2017 |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> Martin explores the relationship between good and evil through the questions of redemption and character change.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402202912/http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2011/06/10/martin-talks-about-new-series-game-thrones |archive-date=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 |access-date=August 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The series allows the audience to view different characters from [[Narration#Narrative point of view|their perspective]], unlike in many other fantasies.<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 |work=[[CNN]] |publisher=[[WarnerMedia]] |date=April 11, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328042244/http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/books/04/11/george.rr.martin/index.html |archive-date=March 28, 2013 |access-date=August 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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=https://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 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=August 28, 2017 |date=August 27, 2017 |last=Fowler |first=Matt |archive-date=October 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001103843/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/28/game-of-thrones-the-dragon-and-the-wolf-review |url-status=live}}</ref> Martin stated in an interview that he wanted to depict war and violence in a realistic way, which sometimes mean the hero or main characters could be injured or killed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCluskey|first=Megan|date=May 17, 2016|title=George R.R. Martin Explains Why He Kills Off Your Favorite Game of Thrones Characters|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=https://time.com/4338948/george-rr-martin-why-characters-die-game-of-thrones/|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710000847/https://time.com/4338948/george-rr-martin-why-characters-die-game-of-thrones/|archive-date=July 10, 2017}}</ref> In later seasons, critics pointed out that certain characters had developed "[[plot armor]]" to survive in unlikely circumstances and attributed this to ''Game of Thrones'' deviating from the novels to become more of a traditional television series.<ref name="ign 7.7"/> In a 2012 study, out of 40 recent television drama shows, ''Game of Thrones'' ranked second in deaths per episode, averaging 14.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629182833/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911 |archive-date=June 29, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' Topped by 'Spartacus: Vengeance' as TV's Deadliest Series |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-spartacus-vengeance-deadliest-shows-327911 |access-date=May 23, 2012 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |date=May 22, 2012 |first=Michael |last=O'Connell |url-status=live}}</ref> A scientific study conducted in 2018 stated that about 60% of the major characters died as a result of violence and war.<ref name="Epidemiology">{{cite journal|last1=Lystad|first1=Reidar P.|last2=Brown|first2=Benjamin T.|date=December 2018|title="Death is certain, the time is not": mortality and survival in Game of Thrones|journal=Injury Epidemiology|publisher=[[BioMed Central]]|volume=5|issue=1|pages=44|doi=10.1186/s40621-018-0174-7|pmid=30535868|pmc=6286904|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Inspirations and derivations===
Although the series's first season closely follows the events of the first novel, there were significant changes made for later seasons. According to Benioff, the TV adaptation 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 magazine |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title='Game of Thrones' showrunners answer burning season 5 questions |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=March 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708190046/https://ew.com/article/2015/03/17/game-thrones-showrunners/ |archive-date=July 8, 2019}}</ref> Aspects of the novels' plots and their adaptations are based upon settings, characters, and events in European history.<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013">{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629202416/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2013/mar/24/game-of-thrones-realistic-history |archive-date=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 |access-date=March 24, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=March 24, 2013 |location=London |url-status=live}}</ref> Most of Westeros is reminiscent of [[high medieval]] Europe, from its geography and castles to its cultures, the [[Feudalism|feudal system]], palace intrigues, and the [[Tournament (medieval)|knights' tournaments]].<ref>{{cite news |date=March 27, 2013 |last=Mund |first=Lucas |title=Are the Lands of Westeros Inspired by Real-Life Countries? |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/03/game-of-thornes-are-the-lands-of-westeros-inspired-by-real-life-countries.html |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |publisher=[[The Slate Group]]|access-date=January 20, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=February 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=DeVries|first=Kelly|date=March 29, 2012|title=Game of Thrones as History|work=[[Foreign Affairs]]|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2012-03-29/game-thrones-history|access-date=November 4, 2020|issn=0015-7120|archive-date=October 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003004519/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/2012-03-29/game-thrones-history|url-status=live}}</ref> Like medieval Europe, most of the houses in the series use the [[Patriarchy|patriarchal system]] of power.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=May Fathallah|first=Judith|date=2017|title=Fanfiction and the Author|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1v2xsp4|journal=[[Amsterdam University Press]]|pages=102|isbn=978-90-485-2908-7|jstor=j.ctt1v2xsp4|access-date=November 2, 2020|via=[[JSTOR]]|jstor-access=free|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419232757/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1v2xsp4|url-status=live}}</ref> The series also includes elements of [[gothic fiction]], including torture [[Trope (literature)|tropes]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Young|first=Joseph|date=2017|title="Enough About Whores": Sexual Characterization in A Song of Ice and Fire|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26816084|journal=[[Mythlore]]|publisher=[[Mythopoeic Society]]|volume=2|issue=130|pages=45–61|jstor=26816084|access-date=November 2, 2020|via=[[JSTOR]]|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424031540/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26816084|url-status=live}}</ref> 

A principal inspiration for the novels is the English [[Wars of the Roses]] (1455–1485) 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]].<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=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 |url-status=live}}</ref> The scheming Cersei Lannister evokes [[Isabella of France|Isabella]], the "She-Wolf of France" (1295–1358).<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013" /> She and her family, as portrayed in [[Maurice Druon]]'s historical novel series, ''[[The Accursed Kings]]'', were a main inspiration of Martin's.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721223613/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993 |archive-date=July 21, 2016 |last=Milne |first=Ben |title=Game of Thrones: The cult French novel that inspired George RR Martin |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26824993 |work=[[BBC News Online]] |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=April 6, 2014 |date=April 4, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Other historical antecedents of series elements include: [[Hadrian's Wall]] (which becomes Martin's Wall), the [[Roman Empire]], and 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]], and the [[Italian Renaissance]].<ref name="The Guardian March 24, 2013"/> The series's 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" /><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kustritz |first1=Anne |title="They All Lived Happily Ever After. Obviously.": Realism and Utopia in Game of Thrones-Based Alternate Universe Fairy Tale Fan Fiction |journal=Humanities |date=June 9, 2016 |volume=5 |issue=2 |page=7 |doi=10.3390/h5020043 |publisher=[[MDPI]] |quote=Game of Thrones fairy tale AUs perfectly exemplify this principle, as these fan works reconceptualize the HBO show, the books the show is based on, and the fairy tale genre, as well as other fan-specific genre conventions, while the books themselves also draw heavily on numerous layers of fairy tale, alternate history, and fantasy novels, films, and stories as intertexts.|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Production==
===Conception and development===
[[File:D. B. Weiss and David Benioff.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|alt=Photograph of two men—D. B. Weiss and David Benioff|Showrunners [[D. B. Weiss]] and [[David Benioff]] created the series, wrote most of its episodes and directed several.]]
The ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' series of novels was popular before ''Game of Thrones''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Miller|first=Laura|date=April 4, 2011|title=Just Write It!|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/04/11/just-write-it|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630055734/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/04/11/just-write-it|archive-date=June 30, 2019}}</ref> The series has sold more than 90 million copies worldwide with the novels being translated into 45 different languages.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Barnett|first=David|date=April 15, 2019|title=How Game of Thrones achieved world domination... 15 years before the TV show even aired|work=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/game-thrones-season-8-books-novels-publishing-final-series-a8855126.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233427/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/game-thrones-season-8-books-novels-publishing-final-series-a8855126.html|archive-date=November 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Flood|first=Alison|date=April 10, 2015|title=George RR Martin revolutionised how people think about fantasy|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/10/george-rr-martin-revolutionised-how-people-think-about-fantasy|url-status=live|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918043340/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/10/george-rr-martin-revolutionised-how-people-think-about-fantasy|archive-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref> {{nowrap|George R. R. Martin}} received multiple fantasy writing awards and nominations, including a [[World Fantasy Award]] and multiple [[Locus Award]]s, for the series.<ref>''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'' awards
*{{cite web |title=1997 World Fantasy Award Winners and Nominees |url=http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/1997.html |website=World Fantasy Award |publisher=[[World Fantasy Convention]] |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328031536/http://www.worldfantasy.org/awards/1997.html |archive-date=March 28, 2012}}
*{{cite web |title=Locus Awards Nominees List |url=https://locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusNomList.html |website=[[Locus Award]]s |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514220412/http://locusmag.com/SFAwards/Db/LocusNomList.html |archive-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref> Writing for [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] magazine in 2005 after the release of ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', journalist [[Lev Grossman]] called Martin the "American [[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]", stating he is a "major force for evolution in fantasy".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Grossman|first=Lev|author-link=Lev Grossman|date=November 13, 2005|title=The American Tolkien|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1129596%2C00.html|url-status=dead|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229125934/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1129596%2C00.html|archive-date=December 29, 2008}}</ref>

In January 2006, David Benioff had a telephone conversation with Martin's literary agent about the books he represented. Having been a fan of [[fantasy]] fiction when he was younger, he became interested in ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', which he had not read. The literary agent sent Benioff the series's first four books.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cogman |first1=Bryan |title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones |date=2014 |publisher=[[Orion Publishing Group]] |isbn=978-1473210400 |pages=6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7FFGD5x6GlIC&q=2006 |access-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> Benioff read a few hundred pages of the first novel, ''[[A Game of Thrones]]'', shared his enthusiasm with {{nowrap|[[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 |access-date=May 15, 2013 |work=[[KCRW]] |publisher=[[National Public Radio]] |date=May 8, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019093107/https://soundcloud.com/kcrw/upclose-game-of-thrones-with |archive-date=October 19, 2013}} At about 2:50.</ref> They [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitched]] the series to [[HBO]] after a five-hour meeting with Martin (himself a veteran screenwriter) in a restaurant on [[Santa Monica Boulevard]]. According to Benioff, they won Martin over by knowing the answer to his question, "[[Jon Snow (character)#Parentage|Who is Jon Snow's mother?]]"<ref name="variety 2" />

{{Blockquote
|text=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 (1985 TV series)|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">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412142746/http://ew.com/article/2011/04/04/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-r-r-martin/ |archive-date=April 12, 2017 |url=https://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 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

Before being approached by Benioff and Weiss, Martin already had meetings with other scriptwriters, most of whom wanted to adapt the series as a feature film. Martin, however, deemed it "unfilmable", saying that the size of one of his novels is as long as ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', which had been adapted as [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|three feature films]].<ref name="entertainment_weekly2011"/> Benioff agreed it would be impossible to turn the novels into a feature film as their scale 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 [[Motion Picture Association film rating system|PG-13]] rating. That means no sex, no blood, no profanity. Fuck that."<ref name="themes"/> Martin 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 AV media |date=March 17, 2014 |title=Game of Thrones: Long Story Short (HBO) |medium=[[YouTube]] |language=en |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2p9dRl0yYo |access-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219203953/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2p9dRl0yYo |archive-date=February 19, 2020 |publisher=[[HBO]]}}</ref> 

The series began development in January 2007.<ref name="var"/> HBO acquired the television rights to the novels, with Benioff and Weiss as the series' 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.<ref name="var"/> [[Jane Espenson]] and [[Bryan Cogman]] were added later to write one episode each for the first season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shannon Miller |first1=Liz |title='Game of Thrones': Only 1 Out of 19 Directors Have Been Women — Why the Final Season Should Change That |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/08/game-of-thrones-directors-women-michelle-maclaren-final-season-1201871136/ |access-date=May 17, 2020 |work=[[IndieWire]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=August 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109220951/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/08/game-of-thrones-directors-women-michelle-maclaren-final-season-1201871136/ |archive-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref> The first and second drafts of the [[pilot episode|pilot]] script by Benioff and Weiss were submitted in August 2007<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030137/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |last=Hudson |first=Laura |title=Talking with George R. R. Martin Part 2 |work=[[Publishers Weekly]] |publisher=PWxyz |date=August 14, 2007 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6468840.html%20Publishers%20Weekly%20interview |access-date=March 13, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and June 2008,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Howden |first1=Martin |title=Games of Thrones A-Z: An Unofficial Guide to Accompany the Hit TV Series |date=2012 |publisher=Kings Road Publishing |isbn=978-1782190929 |page=3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YTutDwAAQBAJ&q=game+of+thrones+june+2008&pg=PT8}}</ref> respectively. Although HBO liked both drafts,<ref name="ewq&a">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017021658/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20161804%2C00.html |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |last=Kirschling |first=Gregory |title=George R.R. Martin answers your questions |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=November 27, 2007 |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/11/27/george-rr-martin-answers-your-questions/ |access-date=January 20, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> a pilot was not ordered until November 2008.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023128/http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |title=HBO orders fantasy pilot ''Thrones'' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |first=Jame |last=Hibberd |date=November 11, 2008 |url=http://www.thrfeed.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-orders-fantasy-pilot-thrones-50937 |access-date=June 5, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The pilot episode, "[[Winter Is Coming]]", was shot in 2009; after its poor reception following 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825210144/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-ending-season-5-producers-interview-1201469516/ |archive-date=August 25, 2016 |url=https://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]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160615202502/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/game-of-thrones-original-pilot-bad |archive-date=June 15, 2016 |url=https://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]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |url-status=live}}</ref> The pilot reportedly cost HBO $5–10{{nbsp}}million to produce,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hibberd |first=James |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' dailies 'look fantastic' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-look-52924/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602120504/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/hbo-game-thrones-dailies-fantastic-52924 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref> while the first season's budget was estimated at $50–60{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-by-numbers-178659 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-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]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=January 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> For the second season, the series received a 15-percent budget increase for the climactic battle in "[[Blackwater (Game of Thrones)|Blackwater]]" (which had an $8{{nbsp}}million budget).<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=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 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://slate.com/business/2014/04/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]] |publisher=[[The Slate Group]] |first=Frank |last=Pallotta |date=April 7, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101132101/http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/14/game-of-thrones-ew-cover-2/ |archive-date=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/ |access-date=March 18, 2012 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=March 14, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Between 2012 and 2015, the average budget per episode increased from $6{{nbsp}}million<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.eonline.com/news/318306/holy-flaming-warships-how-expensive-is-game-of-thrones-anyway |archive-date=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? |work=[[E!]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal Television Group]] |first=Leslie |last=Gornstein |date=May 28, 2012 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> to "at least" $8{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602111711/http://www.ew.com/microsites/longform/got/|archive-date=June 2, 2016|last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones': EW spends 240 hours in Westeros|url=https://ew.com/microsites/longform/got/|access-date=April 1, 2015|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|date=March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The sixth-season budget was over $10{{nbsp}}million per episode, for a season total of over $100{{nbsp}}million, a record for a series's production cost.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=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 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Communications]] |access-date=April 1, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> By the final season, the production budget per episode was estimated to be $15{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Emmie |title=Here's how much it costs to produce one episode of 'Game of Thrones' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/12/how-much-it-costs-to-produce-an-episode-of-game-of-thrones.html |access-date=May 19, 2020 |work=[[CNBC]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal Television Group]] |date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406175547/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/12/how-much-it-costs-to-produce-an-episode-of-game-of-thrones.html |archive-date=April 6, 2020}}</ref>

===Casting===
[[Nina Gold]] and Robert Sterne were the series' primary casting directors.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://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]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808020522/http://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/game-of-thrones-casting-director-nina-gold-bafta-award-1201733675/ |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}</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 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=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/two-play-hbos-game-83443/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509074111/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i30b29365238b3652e08e2efdc7f0af62 |archive-date=May 9, 2009 |access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref><ref name="reuters5cast">{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106205031/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/07/20/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |author1=Kit, Borys |author2=Andreeva, Nellie |title=Sean Bean ascends to 'Game of Thrones' |work=[[Reuters]] |date=July 19, 2009 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-seanbean-idUSTRE56J09D20090720 |access-date=July 20, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> Other actors signed for the pilot were [[Kit Harington]] as Jon Snow, [[Jack Gleeson]] as Joffrey Baratheon, [[Harry Lloyd]] as Viserys Targaryen, and [[Mark Addy]] as Robert Baratheon.<ref name="reuters5cast"/> According to Benioff and Weiss, Addy was the easiest actor to cast for the series because of his audition performance.<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 |work=[[Nerdist Industries]] |publisher=[[Legendary Entertainment]] |first=Michael |last=Walsh |date=March 12, 2017 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402080955/http://nerdist.com/what-we-learned-from-game-of-thrones-sxsw-panel-and-what-it-might-mean/ |archive-date=April 2, 2017}}</ref> Some characters in the pilot were recast for the first season. The role of [[Catelyn Stark]] was played initially by [[Jennifer Ehle]], but the role was recast with [[Michelle Fairley]].<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=Sepinwall |first=Alan |title='Game of Thrones' recasting: Ehle out, Fairley in |work=[[HitFix]] |publisher=[[Uproxx#Uproxx Media Group|Uproxx Media Group]] |date=March 19, 2010 |url=http://www.hitfix.com/articles/game-of-thrones-recasting-ehle-out-fairley-in-2 |access-date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The character of Daenerys Targaryen was also recast, with [[Emilia Clarke]] replacing [[Tamzin Merchant]].<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803070636/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |title=Exclusive: 'Game of Thrones' recasts noble role |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |date=May 21, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2013 |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/05/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The rest of the first season's cast was selected in the second half of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817123724/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/10/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archive-date=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 |access-date=August 29, 2016 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

Although many of the cast returned after the first season, the producers had many new characters to cast in each of the following seasons. Because of the large number of new characters, Benioff and Weiss postponed introducing several key characters in the [[Game of Thrones season 2|second season]] and merged several characters into one, or assigned plot functions to different characters.<ref name="hibberd1"/> Some recurring characters were recast over the years; for example, [[Gregor Clegane]] was played by three different actors, while Dean-Charles Chapman played both Tommen Baratheon and a minor Lannister character.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Roberts |first1=Kayleigh |title=9 Times 'Game of Thrones' Recast Characters |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g14500788/game-of-thrones-recast-characters/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]] |publisher=[[Hearst Communications]] |date=December 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011160508/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g14500788/game-of-thrones-recast-characters/ |archive-date=October 11, 2019}}</ref>

===Writing===
[[File:Portrait photoshoot at Worldcon 75, Helsinki, before the Hugo Awards – George R. R. Martin (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=1|alt=George R. R. Martin|{{nowrap|[[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 over its six seasons. Benioff and Weiss wrote most of each season's episodes.<ref name="observer">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903222758/http://observer.com/2015/04/blood-caffeine-sex-magic-how-game-of-thrones-gets-written/ |archive-date=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=[[The New York Observer]] |publisher= Observer Media |first=Sean T. |last=Collins |date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' author {{nowrap|[[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 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://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 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |first=Luke |last=Karmali |date=March 30, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jane Espenson]] co-wrote [[A Golden Crown|one first-season episode]] as a [[freelance writer]].<ref name="espenson">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827054828/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo.html |archive-date=August 27, 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]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |first=Maureen |last=Ryan |date=March 16, 2010 |access-date=April 15, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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, was the only other writer in the writers' room with Benioff and Weiss.<ref name="observer"/> Before Cogman's 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101102954/http://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |archive-date=January 1, 2015 |url=https://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]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=March 24, 2014 |access-date=September 7, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Although Martin was not in the writers' room, he read the script outlines and made comments.<ref name="observer"/>

Benioff and Weiss sometimes assigned characters to particular writers; for example, Cogman was assigned to Arya Stark for the fourth season. The writers spent several weeks writing a character outline, including what material from the novels to use and the overarching themes. After these individual outlines were completed, they spent another two to three weeks discussing each main character's individual arc and arranging them episode by episode.<ref name="observer"/> A detailed outline was created, with each of the writers working on part of it 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 were then read by Benioff and Weiss, who made notes, and parts of the script were rewritten. All ten episodes were written before filming began since they were shot out of order by two [[film crew|units]] in different countries.<ref name="observer"/> Benioff and Weiss wrote their episodes together; one wrote the first half of the script with the other writing the second half. They then passed the drafts back and forth to make notes and do rewrites.<ref name="long_story_short"/>

====Adaptation schedule and episodes====
{{main|List of Game of Thrones episodes|l1=List of ''Game of Thrones'' episodes}}
After ''Game of Thrones'' story line began outpacing the published novels in the sixth season, the series was based on a plot outline of the future novels provided by Martin along with original content.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621094105/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books |archive-date=June 21, 2016 |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |title=Game of Thrones Creators Confirm the Show Will Spoil the Books |url=https://vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/game-of-thrones-tv-show-will-spoil-books |access-date=March 23, 2015 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=March 22, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bruner |first1=Raisa |title=Here's Why the Game of Thrones Show Is Better Than the Books |url=https://time.com/5567981/game-of-thrones-books-show/ |access-date=May 29, 2020 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417070658/https://time.com/5567981/game-of-thrones-books-show/ |archive-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref> Before season four, Martin stated there was an issue with the television series being released before the source material could be written.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=May 21, 2019|title=An apology to George R.R. Martin: ending Game of Thrones is really hard|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/21/18633029/game-of-thrones-got-ending-season-8-george-rr-martin-apology|url-status=dead|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232202/https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/21/18633029/game-of-thrones-got-ending-season-8-george-rr-martin-apology|archive-date=November 7, 2020}}</ref> According to Benioff, Martin gave the showrunners an outline on the final two books of the series.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bruney|first=Gabrielle|date=August 18, 2019|title=Game of Thrones Author George R.R. Martin Says the Show's Ending Won't Change His Books|work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a28736145/game-of-thrones-george-rr-martin-ending/|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821011804/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a28736145/game-of-thrones-george-rr-martin-ending/|archive-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref> 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |title='Game of Thrones' Creators Mull Shorter Final Seasons |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 14, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, the series was renewed for a seventh season with a seven-episode order.<ref name="HBO confirms">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7 |title=Game of Thrones: HBO announces summer return, 7 episodes |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=July 18, 2016 |access-date=July 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="s7 renewed">{{cite web |url=https://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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826043921/http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> HBO announced in June 2016 that the eighth season would be the final for the series.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Gonzales|first=Erica|date=April 12, 2019|title=Game of Thrones Season 8: Everything We Know|magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a10352619/game-of-thrones-season-8-news-date-spoilers/|url-status=live|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506072351/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a10352619/game-of-thrones-season-8-news-date-spoilers/|archive-date=May 6, 2019}}</ref><!--adapting the novels at a rate of about 48 seconds per page for the first three seasons.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=April 6, 2014 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |date=April 6, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> (This is a trivial and basically pointless exercise, I think.--->

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:99%" 
|+ ''Game of Thrones'' adaptation and season schedule
|-
! scope="col" | Season
! scope="col" | Ordered
! scope="col" | Filming
! scope="col" | First aired
! scope="col" | Last aired
! scope="col" | Novel(<span class="ltr">s</span>) adapted
! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Ref(<span class="ltr">s</span>)|Reference(<span class="ltr">s</span>)}}
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 1|Season 1]]
| March 2, 2010
| Second half of 2010
| April 17, 2011
| June 19, 2011
| ''[[A Game of Thrones]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html |archive-date=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 |access-date=May 15, 2012 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]] |date=March 2, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 2|Season 2]]
| April 19, 2011
| Second half of 2011
| April 1, 2012
| June 3, 2012
| ''[[A Clash of Kings]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=S2>Season 2 filming schedule and novel adaptations
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=Hibberd |first=James |title=HBO renews 'Game of Thrones' for second season! |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/04/19/game-of-thrones-renewed |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |access-date=July 19, 2015 |date=April 19, 2011 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://io9.gizmodo.com/5915744/10-best-changes-game-of-thrones-made-to-a-clash-of-kings |archive-date=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'' |website=[[Gizmodo]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |first=Charlie Jane |last=Anders |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 3|Season 3]]
| April 10, 2012
| July–November 2012
| March 31, 2013
| June 9, 2013
| ''[[A Storm of Swords]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=S3>Season 3 filming schedule and novel adaptations
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=O'Connell |first=Michael |title='Game of Thrones' Renewed for Season 3 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-3-306981/ |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |access-date=January 20, 2022 |date=April 10, 2012 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2 |archive-date=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=https://ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=March 30, 2012 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|archive-url=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 |archive-date=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]] |publisher=[[Nexstar Media Group]] |first=Terri |last=Schwartz |date=May 12, 2014 |access-date=May 17, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 4|Season 4]]
| April 2, 2013
| July–November 2013
| April 6, 2014
| June 15, 2014
| ''A Storm of Swords''
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=S4>Season 4 filming schedule and novel adaptations
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009040900/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/ |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/04/02/game-of-thrones-renewed-4-season/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |title='Game of Thrones' renewed for season 4 |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |title=What Will Happen in Season 4 of ''Game of Thrones''? |url=https://vulture.com/2013/06/what-will-happen-season-4-of-game-of-thrones.html |access-date=February 7, 2014 |work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=June 11, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 5|Season 5]]
| April 8, 2014
| July–December 2014
| April 12, 2015
| June 14, 2015
| ''[[A Feast for Crows]]'', ''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'' and original content
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=S5>Season 5 filming schedule and novel adaptations
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://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 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=April 8, 2014 |url-status=live}}
*{{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 |via=[[YouTube]] |publisher=[[HBO]] |date=June 7, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608054353/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |archive-date=June 8, 2015}}
*{{cite news |last1=Grubbs |first1=Jefferson |title=Which Book Will 'Game Of Thrones' Season 5 Be Based On? It's Covering a Lot of Territory |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/27892-which-book-will-game-of-thrones-season-5-be-based-on-its-covering-a-lot-of |access-date=May 26, 2020 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |date=June 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200526223051/https://www.bustle.com/articles/27892-which-book-will-game-of-thrones-season-5-be-based-on-its-covering-a-lot-of |archive-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 6|Season 6]]
| April 8, 2014
| July–December 2015
| April 24, 2016
| June 26, 2016
| Outline from ''[[The Winds of Winter]]'' and original content
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref name=S6>Season 6 filming schedule and novel adaptations
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://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 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=May 24, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2016/05/game-of-thrones-has-not-gone-off-book.html |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://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' |work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |first=Jennifer |last=Vineyard |date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 7|Season 7]]
| April 21, 2016
| August 2016 – February 2017
| July 16, 2017
| August 27, 2017
| rowspan="2" | Outline from ''[[A Dream of Spring]]'' and original content
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=S7>Season 7 filming schedule and novel adaptations
*{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/game-of-thrones-end-date-season-8-1201752746/ |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://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]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |first=Debra |last=Birnbaum |date=April 14, 2016 |access-date=April 28, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/18/game-thrones-season-7 |title=Game of Thrones: HBO announces summer return, 7 episodes |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=July 18, 2016 |access-date=July 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826043921/http://deadline.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-renewed-season-6-veep-silicon-valley-hbo-1201741600/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=April 21, 2016 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/24/george-rr-martin-3-twists-game-thrones |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://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 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=May 24, 2016 |access-date=May 24, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"|[[Game of Thrones season 8|Season 8]]
| July 30, 2016
| October 2017 – July 2018
| April 14, 2019
| May 19, 2019
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name=S8>Season 8 filming schedule and novel adaptations
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/30/game-thrones |archive-date=September 1, 2016 |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/30/game-thrones |title=Game of Thrones: HBO confirms season 8 will be last |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=July 30, 2016 |access-date=March 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/30/game-thrones |archive-date=September 1, 2016 |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/30/game-thrones |title=Game of Thrones: HBO confirms season 8 will be last |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=July 30, 2016 |access-date=March 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-8-filming-cast-belfast-northern-ireland-a8016546.html |title=Game of Thrones season 8 filming looks to be underway as cast members spotted in Belfast |work=[[The Independent]] |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media |access-date=October 24, 2017 |date=October 23, 2017 |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024151546/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-8-filming-cast-belfast-northern-ireland-a8016546.html |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/game-of-thrones-premiere-date-season-8-final-episodes-hbo-1202534001/ |title='Game Of Thrones' Final Season Debut Date Revealed By HBO With New Tease |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |first=Dominic |last=Patten |date=January 13, 2019 |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203043300/https://deadline.com/2019/01/game-of-thrones-premiere-date-season-8-final-episodes-hbo-1202534001/ |url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2018/11/13/game-of-thrones-season-8-premiere-date-april-2019/|title='Game of Thrones' Season 8 to Premiere in April 2019|last=Roots|first=Kimberly|work=[[TVLine]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|date=November 13, 2018|access-date=November 13, 2018|archive-date=December 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213215450/https://tvline.com/2018/11/13/game-of-thrones-season-8-premiere-date-april-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

The first two seasons adapted one novel each. For the later seasons, its creators saw ''Game of Thrones'' as an adaptation of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' as a whole rather than the individual novels,<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=March 24, 2013 |newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=March 20, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> enabling them to move events across novels as the screen adaptation required.<ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2 |archive-date=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=https://ew.com/article/2012/03/30/game-of-thrones-showrunners-season-2 |access-date=April 10, 2012 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=March 30, 2012 |url-status=live}}</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.]]

The show was shot in the United Kingdom, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, and Spain.

[[Principal photography]] for the first season was scheduled to begin on July 26, 2010;<ref name="gotfactsheet">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307150640/http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |title=From HBO |last=Martin |first=George R. R. |date=July 16, 2010 |website=Not a Blog |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/164794.html |access-date=March 14, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the primary location was the [[The Paint Hall|Paint Hall Studios]] in [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grubbs |first1=Jefferson |title=Which 'Game Of Thrones' Locations Film In Belfast? Kit Harington's Trip Gave Fans Hope |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/101169-which-game-of-thrones-locations-film-in-belfast-kit-haringtons-trip-gave-fans-hope |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |publisher=Bustle Digital Group |date=August 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200520182133/https://www.bustle.com/articles/101169-which-game-of-thrones-locations-film-in-belfast-kit-haringtons-trip-gave-fans-hope |archive-date=May 20, 2020}}</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 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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]] |publisher=[[Gannett]] |first=Josh |last=Roberts |date=April 1, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2013}}</ref> [[Doune Castle]] in [[Stirling]], Scotland, was also used in the original pilot episode for scenes at Winterfell.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811101337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8322843.stm |archive-date=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 |access-date=April 11, 2012 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=October 23, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> The producers initially considered filming the entire series in Scotland, but decided on Northern Ireland because of the availability of studio space and tax credits.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Celik Rappas |first1=Ipek A |title=From Titanic to Game of Thrones : Promoting Belfast as a Global Media Capital |journal=[[Media, Culture & Society]] |date=January 21, 2019 |volume=41 |issue=4 |page=550 |doi=10.1177/0163443718823148 |s2cid=150442108 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0163443718823148 |access-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116054121/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0163443718823148 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Dubrovnik crop.jpg|thumb|alt=The walled city of Dubrovnik|The walled city of [[Dubrovnik]] stood in for King's Landing in season two.]]
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.<ref>{{cite news |title=30 incredible Game of Thrones filming locations you must visit in your lifetime |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-in-pictures/mdina/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924091023/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-in-pictures/mdina/ |archive-date=September 24, 2018}}</ref> Filming also took place 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" /> 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, though exteriors of some local buildings in the series, for example, the Red Keep and the Sept of Baelor, are computer generated.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-stunning-visual-effects-reel-separates-the-real-from-the-fake-in-season-five-10393725.html/ |title=Game of Thrones: Stunning visual effects reel separates the real from the fake in season five |work=[[The Independent]] |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media |first=Jess |last=Denham |date=July 16, 2015 |access-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-date=May 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519213501/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-stunning-visual-effects-reel-separates-the-real-from-the-fake-in-season-five-10393725.html |url-status=live}}</ref> 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826083416/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/iceland/articles/game-of-thrones-iceland-tour-filming-locations/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |url=https://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 |url-status=live}}</ref> Filming also occurred at the harbor in [[Ballintoy]], Northern Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|date=August 14, 2017|title=30 incredible Game of Thrones filming locations you must visit in your lifetime|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-in-pictures/ballintoy/|url-status=live|access-date=July 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731015922/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-in-pictures/ballintoy/|archive-date=July 31, 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Ballintoy Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 19750.jpg|thumb|alt=Ballintoy Harbour|[[Ballintoy Harbour]] was Lordsport on the Iron Islands.]]
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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Elise |title=Set-Jetting: A Game of Thrones Travel Guide to Dubrovnik, Croatia (aka King's Landing) |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/game-of-thrones-travel-guide-to-dubrovnik-croatia |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401142243/https://www.vogue.com/article/game-of-thrones-travel-guide-to-dubrovnik-croatia |archive-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref> [[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's scenes in Essos.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=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 |access-date=August 23, 2014 |url-status=live}}</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 magazine |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title='Game of Thrones' add 5th country, casts bear |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/01/28/game-of-thrones-country-bear/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=January 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531023524/http://www.ew.com/article/2013/01/28/game-of-thrones-country-bear/ |archive-date=May 31, 2018}}</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">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306120407/http://www.makinggameofthrones.com/production-diary/2012/11/2/season-3-by-the-numbers.html |archive-date=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 |website=Making Game of Thrones |access-date=November 3, 2012 |date=November 2, 2012}}</ref> 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]] farther south.<ref>{{cite news |title=10 best Game of Thrones filming locations to visit in Croatia |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/travel/2018-02-01/10-best-game-of-thrones-filming-locations-to-visit-in-croatia/ |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=[[Radio Times]] |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]] |date=February 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129065644/https://www.radiotimes.com/travel/2018-02-01/10-best-game-of-thrones-filming-locations-to-visit-in-croatia/ |archive-date=November 29, 2019}}</ref> [[Thingvellir National Park]] in Iceland was used for the fight between Brienne and the Hound.<ref name="location iceland"/> The fifth season added [[Seville]], Spain, used for scenes of [[Dorne]], and [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]].<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=July 26, 2014 |work=[[The Guardian]] |url-status=live}}</ref>

The sixth season, which began filming in July 2015, returned to Spain and filmed in [[Navarra]], [[Province of Guadalajara|Guadalajara]], Seville, [[Almeria]], [[Girona]] and [[Peniscola]].<ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530024956/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |archive-date=May 30, 2016 |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/06/02/game-thrones-spain |title=''Game of Thrones'' returning to Spain for season 6 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 3, 2015 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Filming also returned to Dubrovnik, Croatia.<ref name="vox2019">{{cite news |last1=Del Valle |first1=Gaby |title=Game of Thrones tourism is wildly popular — and not just because the show is a hit |url=https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/4/4/18293965/game-of-thrones-tourism-croatia-iceland-ireland-spain |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512021306/https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/4/4/18293965/game-of-thrones-tourism-croatia-iceland-ireland-spain |archive-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref> The filming of the seven episodes of season seven 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=https://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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082411/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/arts-and-culture/filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-seven/ |archive-date=January 2, 2017}}</ref> including Seville, [[Cáceres, Spain|Cáceres]], [[Almodovar del Rio]], [[Santiponce]], [[Zumaia]] and [[Bermeo]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mellin |first1=Joshua |title=Spain's most pivotal 'Game of Thrones' filming locations |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/spain-game-of-thrones-locations/index.html |access-date=May 20, 2020 |work=[[CNN]] |publisher=[[WarnerMedia]] |date=January 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205221859/https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/spain-game-of-thrones-locations/index.html |archive-date=December 5, 2019}}</ref> Filming continued until the end of February 2017, as necessary, to ensure winter weather in some European locations.<ref>{{cite news |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 |work=[[TVLine]] |first=Andy |last=Swift |access-date=July 6, 2016 |date=July 6, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707215822/http://tvline.com/2016/07/06/game-of-thrones-season-7-premiere-date-delayed-new-interview/ |archive-date=July 7, 2016}}</ref> Filming for season eight began in October 2017 and concluded in July 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Jack |title=Game of Thrones season 8 filming looks to be underway as cast members spotted in Belfast |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-8-filming-cast-belfast-northern-ireland-a8016546.html |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[The Independent]] |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media |date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515012311/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-8-filming-cast-belfast-northern-ireland-a8016546.html |archive-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelleher |first1=Kevin |title='Game of Thrones' Season 8 Has Ended Filming. Now a Winter of Waiting Begins |url=https://fortune.com/2018/07/09/game-of-thrones-season-8-filming-ends/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |publisher=Fortune Media Group Holdings |date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930203734/https://fortune.com/2018/07/09/game-of-thrones-season-8-filming-ends/ |archive-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref> New filming locations included [[Moneyglass]] and [[Saintfield]] in Northern Ireland for "[[The Long Night (Game of Thrones)|The Long Night]]" battle scenes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Medd |first1=James |title='Game of Thrones' Filming Locations Around the World |url=https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/game-of-thrones-filming-locations |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Condé Nast Traveler]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411040622/https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/game-of-thrones-filming-locations |archive-date=April 11, 2020}}</ref>

====Effect on locations====
[[Northern Ireland Screen]], a UK government agency financed by [[Invest NI]] and the [[European Regional Development Fund]], helped fund ''Game of Thrones''.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/2919/game-of-thrones-season-3-to-film-in-northern-ireland.aspx |archive-date=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 |access-date=April 12, 2012 |date=April 12, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[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 |access-date=June 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054509/https://www.tourismireland.com/Press-Releases/2016/April/New-advertising-campaign-to-showcase-Northern-Irel |archive-date=August 19, 2017}}</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 |access-date=June 17, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819054510/https://www.businessworld.ie/news/Tourism-Ireland-wins-top-marketing-award-for-Game-of-Thrones-campaign-562193.html |archive-date=August 19, 2017}}</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/ --> According to First Minister [[Arlene Foster]], the series has given Northern Ireland the most publicity in its history apart from [[The Troubles]].<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 |access-date=May 16, 2012 |last = McAdam |first = Noel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archive-date=July 16, 2017}}</ref> The production of ''Game of Thrones'' and other TV series 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=Pym |first=Hugh |title=Game of Thrones boost to economy in Northern Ireland |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27360311 |access-date=May 11, 2014 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=May 11, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> After filming had finished, HBO converted its filming locations in Northern Ireland into tourist attractions to be opened in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=September 24, 2018|title='Game of Thrones' Filming Locations in Northern Ireland to Open as Tourist Attractions|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/game-of-thrones-tourist-attractions-northern-ireland-1202954302/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824073019/https://variety.com/feature/game-of-thrones-tourist-attractions-northern-ireland-1202954302/|archive-date=August 24, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2018|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]}}</ref> By 2019, 350,000 visitors, or one sixth of all tourists, came to Northern Ireland annually because of ''Game of Thrones''.<ref name="girvin20190521">{{Cite news|last=Girvin|first=Sara|date=May 21, 2019|title=Game of Thrones a 'game changer' for NI|language=en-GB|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-48343910|url-status=live|access-date=May 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710201352/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-48343910|archive-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref>

Tourism organizations elsewhere reported increases in bookings after their locations appeared in ''Game of Thrones''. Between 2014 and 2016, [[Hotels.com]] reported hotel bookings increased by 285 percent in Iceland and 120 percent in Dubrovnik.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Biesiada |first1=Jamie |title='Game of Thrones' impacts hotel searches |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Game-of-Thrones-impacts-hotel-searches |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=Travel Weekly |publisher=[[Northstar Travel Group]] |date=July 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310102631/https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Game-of-Thrones-impacts-hotel-searches |archive-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref> In 2016, bookings doubled in [[Ouarzazate]], Morocco, the location of Daenerys' season three scenes.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/travel/game-of-thrones-filming-locations-288707.html |archive-date=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 |access-date=April 18, 2013 |publisher=Female First |date=April 17, 2013}}</ref> Dubrovnik also saw an increase in overnight tourist stays after episodes aired.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Depken |first1=Craig A. |last2=Globan |first2=Tomislav |last3=Kožić |first3=Ivan |title=Television-Induced Tourism: Evidence from Croatia |journal=Atlantic Economic Journal |date=June 2020 |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=253–262 |doi=10.1007/s11293-020-09673-3 |s2cid=225854935 |issn=0197-4254 |quote=Although Dubrovnik had long been a popular tourism destination on the Adriatic Sea, a difference-in-differences estimation suggests that the Game of Thrones episodes corresponded with an approximate increase of 5000 overnight stays per month, or approximately 59,000 additional overnights in a calendar year.}}</ref> However, the increase in tourism driven by the series—estimated to be responsible for half of its annual increase over many years—led to concerns about "[[Overtourism|over-tourism]]" and its mayor imposing limits on tourist numbers in the city.<ref name="vox2019" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Santora|first=Marc|date=August 19, 2018|title=Throngs Enticed by 'Game of Thrones' Threaten a Magical City|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/19/world/europe/dubrovnik-croatia-game-of-thrones.html|url-status=live|access-date=November 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200901131027/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/19/world/europe/dubrovnik-croatia-game-of-thrones.html|archive-date=September 1, 2020}}</ref> Following the series finale, HBO announced in April 2019 a new exhibition and tourist attraction containing show props and set pieces.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Egner|first=Jeremy|date=April 3, 2019|title='Game of Thrones' Studio Tour to Debut in 2020|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/arts/television/game-of-thrones-studio-tour-2020.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403110818/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/arts/television/game-of-thrones-studio-tour-2020.html|archive-date=April 3, 2019}}</ref> The attraction, titled ''Game of Thrones Studio Tour'', will be located at former show filming location Linen Mill Studios outside Belfast.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Elderkin|first=Beth|date=April 3, 2020|title=You'll Soon Be Able to Actually Visit the World of Game of Thrones|work=[[Gizmodo]]|publisher=[[G/O Media]]|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/youll-soon-be-able-to-actually-visit-the-world-of-game-1833780590|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406191730/https://io9.gizmodo.com/youll-soon-be-able-to-actually-visit-the-world-of-game-1833780590|archive-date=April 6, 2019}}</ref> Studies showed that the series had an overall positive economic impacts for both Northern Ireland and Dubrovnik.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Peaslee|first1=Robert Moses|last2=Rosalynn|first2=Vasquez|date=May 16, 2020|title=Game of Thrones, Tourism, and the Ethics of Adaptation|url=https://academic.oup.com/adaptation/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/adaptation/apaa012/5837912?redirectedFrom=fulltext|journal=Adaptation|volume=14|issue=2|pages=221–242|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|doi=10.1093/adaptation/apaa012|via=[[ProQuest]]|access-date=November 3, 2020|archive-date=August 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811153215/https://academic.oup.com/adaptation/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/adaptation/apaa012/5837912?redirectedFrom=fulltext|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tkalec |first1=Marina |last2=Zilic |first2=Ivan |last3=Recher |first3=Vedran |title=The effect of film industry on tourism: Game of Thrones and Dubrovnik |journal=The International Journal of Tourism Research |date=2017 |volume=19 |issue=6 |pages=705–714 |doi=10.1002/jtr.2142 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1959070703 |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley Periodicals]] |issn=1099-2340 |id={{ProQuest|1959070703}} |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=August 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811151642/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1959070703 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the positive economic results, some academics note the impact and damage from ''Game of Thrones–''related tourist activities could have on [[historical site]]s and other locations of cultural value.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bowyer |first1=Emily |title=The Influence of Heritage Sites as Filming Locations on Tourists' Decisions to Visit Sites and Their Perceptions of Them. Case Study: Game of Thrones |journal=Coactivity: Philosophy, Communication |date=September 19, 2017 |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=110–122 |doi=10.3846/cpc.2017.286 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2071221188 |publisher=Santalka: Filosofija, Komunikacija |issn=2029-6320 |id={{ProQuest|2071221188}} |doi-access=free |doi-broken-date=January 31, 2024 |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404132832/https://www.proquest.com/docview/2071221188 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Directing===
Each ten-episode season of ''Game of Thrones'' had four to six directors, who usually directed back-to-back episodes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Madden Toby |first1=Mekeisha |last2=Rodriguez |first2=Briana |title=Every 'Game of Thrones' Episode, Ranked |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/game-of-thrones-episodes-ranked-1203212161/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522205637/https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/game-of-thrones-episodes-ranked-1203212161/ |archive-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> [[Alan Taylor (director)|Alan Taylor]] directed seven episodes, the most of any director.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pulver |first1=Andrew |title=A Director's Education |url=https://www.dga.org/Craft/DGAQ/All-Articles/1302-Spring-2013/Alan-Taylor.aspxor-alan-taylor/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |publisher=[[Directors Guild of America]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325044100/http://www.dga.org/Craft/DGAQ/All-Articles/1302-Spring-2013/Alan-Taylor.aspx |archive-date=March 25, 2016}}</ref> [[Alex Graves]], [[David Nutter]], [[Mark Mylod]], and [[Jeremy Podeswa]] directed six episodes each.<ref>{{cite news |title=All 73 'Game of Thrones' Episodes, Ranked |url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-game-of-thrones-episodes-ranked |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Thrillist]] |publisher=[[Group Nine Media]] |date=May 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418224947/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-game-of-thrones-episodes-ranked |archive-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref> [[Daniel Minahan]] directed five episodes, and [[Michelle MacLaren]], [[Alik Sakharov]], and [[Miguel Sapochnik]] directed four each; MacLaren is the only female director of the entire series's run.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moreau|first=Jordan|title=Jessica Chastain, Ava DuVernay Call Out 'Game of Thrones' for Treatment of Women|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jessica-chastain-ava-duvernay-game-of-thrones-women-1203207692/|access-date=May 21, 2019|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|date=May 7, 2019|archive-date=May 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512195149/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jessica-chastain-ava-duvernay-game-of-thrones-women-1203207692/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Brian Kirk]] directed three episodes during the first season, and [[Tim Van Patten]] directed the series's first two episodes.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kinane |first1=Ruth |title=Game of Thrones: Catch up with EW's season 1 episode guide |url=https://ew.com//tv/2019/03/25/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-guide/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514233716/https://ew.com//tv/2019/03/25/game-of-thrones-season-1-episode-guide/ |archive-date=May 14, 2019}}</ref> [[Neil Marshall]] directed two episodes, both with large battle scenes: "Blackwater" and "[[The Watchers on the Wall]]".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Chris |title=Game Of Thrones director admits series finale was "really rushed" |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a29452611/game-of-thrones-director-series-finale-rushed/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=[[Hearst Communications]] |date=October 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014041426/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a29452611/game-of-thrones-director-series-finale-rushed/ |archive-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> Other directors include [[Jack Bender]], [[David Petrarca]], [[Daniel Sackheim]], [[Michael Slovis]] and [[Matt Shakman]].<ref name="Directors">{{cite web |url=https://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+]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |access-date=April 4, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404215853/http://www.gamesradar.com/game-of-thrones-season-7/ |archive-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref> David Benioff and {{nowrap|D. B. Weiss}} have directed two episodes together but were credited with only one each, which was determined after a coin toss.<ref name="vanity fair"/> For season eight, David Nutter and Miguel Sapochnik, who worked on previous episodes, directed the first five episodes.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jones|first=Nate|date=September 26, 2017|title=Game of Thrones' Season 8 Directors List Hints at Massive Ice Battles to Come|work=[[New York (magazine)#Digital expansion and destination sites|Vulture]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/game-of-thrones-season-8-directors-list.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801100741/https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/game-of-thrones-season-8-directors-list.html|archive-date=August 1, 2019}}</ref> Benioff and Weiss were credited as both the writers and directors of the show finale "[[The Iron Throne (Game of Thrones)|The Iron Throne]]".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wigler|first=Josh|date=May 19, 2019|title='Game of Thrones' Creators End the HBO Epic With a Mixed Message About Power|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-series-finale-ending-explained-iron-throne-fate-revealed-1212167/|url-status=live|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529101621/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-series-finale-ending-explained-iron-throne-fate-revealed-1212167|archive-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref>

===Production design ===
{{external media
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| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_iFAjvYFo4 HBO promotional video detailing the research and design of the show's costumes], YouTube video
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[[Michele Clapton]] was the [[costume designer]] for ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} first five seasons before she was replaced by [[April Ferry]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-thrones-costume-designer-april-803895/ |title='Game of Thrones' Season 6 Adds New Costume Designer |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |first=Merle |last=Ginsberg |date=June 19, 2015 |access-date=January 20, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Clapton returned to the series as its costume designer for the seventh season.<ref name="www.ew.com game-thrones-season-7">{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/06/29/game-thrones-season-7 |title=Game of Thrones season 7 directors revealed |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=June 29, 2016 |access-date=June 29, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> For the first three seasons, [[Paul Engelen]] was ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} main makeup designer and [[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">{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |title=Game of Thrones |work=[[Emmy Award|Emmys.com]] |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=February 21, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413192605/http://www.emmys.com/shows/game-thrones |archive-date=April 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/News/Entry/Game_of_Thrones_Wins_Big_at_Creative_Arts_Emmys/ |archive-date=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 |access-date=February 21, 2016 |author=Elio |url-status=live}}</ref> Over 130 makeup artists and prosthetic designers worked on the show.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Calfas |first1=Jennifer |title=Meet the 'Game of Thrones' Prosthetics Wizard Who Makes the Night King Come Alive |url=https://money.com/game-of-thrones-barrie-gower-prosthetics/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Money (magazine)|Money]] |date=April 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200521214124/https://money.com/game-of-thrones-barrie-gower-prosthetics/ |archive-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Boyle |first1=Claire |title=Game of Thrones make up artist Pamela Smyth reveals her secrets to cracking the industry |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/game-thrones-make-up-artist-11912823 |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Belfast Live]] |publisher=[[Reach plc]] |date=September 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528011452/https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/game-thrones-make-up-artist-11912823 |archive-date=May 28, 2017}}</ref> 

The designs for the series's costumes were inspired by several sources, such as [[Japanese armor|Japanese]] and [[Persian clothing|Persian]] armor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Rose |title=Game of Thrones' Original Lannisters Were Samurai Warriors |url=https://screenrant.com/game-thrones-lannisters-original-samurai-armor-costumes/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |publisher=Valnet |date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101130535/https://screenrant.com/game-thrones-lannisters-original-samurai-armor-costumes/ |archive-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cogman |first1=Bryan |title=Inside HBO's Game of Thrones |date=September 26, 2012 |publisher=[[Chronicle Books]] |isbn=978-1452110103 |page=70}}</ref> Dothraki dress resembles that of the [[Bedouin]] (one was made of fish skins to resemble dragon scales), and the Wildlings wear animal skins like the [[Inuit]].<ref name="wischhover20120604">{{cite news |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120606175316/http://fashionista.com/2012/06/game-of-thrones-hair-and-wardrobe-secrets-revealed/ |archive-date=June 6, 2012 |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 (website)|Fashionista]] |publisher=Breaking Media |date=June 4, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2012 |last = Wischhover |first = Cheryl |url-status=live}}</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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/game-thrones-michelle-clapton-costume-designer-emmy-335607 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/game-thrones-designer-michelle-claptons-secret-source-wildling-bones-ebay-335607/ |title='Game of Thrones' Designer Michelle Clapton's Secret Source for Wildling Bones: eBay |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |last = Snead |first = Elizabeth |url-status=live}}</ref> Although the extras who played Wildlings and the Night's Watch often wore hats (normal in a cold climate), members of the principal cast usually did not so viewers could recognize them. [[Björk]]'s [[Alexander McQueen]] high-neckline dresses inspired Margaery Tyrell's funnel-neck outfit, and prostitutes' dresses were designed for easy removal.<ref name="wischhover20120604" /> All the clothing used during the production was aged for two weeks, so it had a realistic appearance on high-definition television.<ref name="Snead, Elizabeth"/>

About two dozen wigs were used by the actresses. Made of human hair and up to {{convert|2|ft|cm|disp=flip}} in length, they cost up to $7,000 each and were washed and styled like real hair. Applying the wigs was time-consuming; Emilia Clarke, for example, required about two hours to style her brunette hair with a platinum-blonde wig and braids. Other actors, such as Jack Gleeson and Sophie Turner, received frequent [[hair coloring]]. For characters such as Daenerys (Clarke) and her Dothraki, their hair, wigs and costumes were processed to appear as if they had not been washed for weeks.<ref name="wischhover20120604"/>

===Visual effects===
For the large number of [[visual effects]] used in the series, 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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514050245/http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Features/Entry/Interview_with_VFX_Producer_Lucy_Ainsworth-Taylor/|archive-date=May 14, 2016|last=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|access-date=August 18, 2014|url-status=live}}</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"/> The visual effects crew consisted of both on-set VFX supervisors and [[concept art]]ists along with visual effect editors in [[post-production]].<ref>{{cite AV media |date=April 1, 2019 |title=Inside Game of Thrones: A Story in Visual Effects – BTS (HBO) |medium=[[YouTube]] |language=en |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxWq-cr1c2Q |access-date=May 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108185311/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxWq-cr1c2Q |archive-date=January 8, 2020 |time=0:53 |publisher=[[HBO]]}}</ref>

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 studio.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718224036/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |archive-date=July 18, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 |url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones/ |publisher=[[Pixomondo]] |access-date=August 19, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/ |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 |url=http://www.pixomondo.com/portfolio/game-of-thrones-season-3/ |publisher=Pixomondo |access-date=August 19, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Scenes were also produced by British-based Peanut FX, Canadian-based Spin VFX, and US-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"/>

HBO added German-based Mackevision to the project in season four.<ref name=mckvsn>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://mackevision.com/123live-user-data/user_data/6084/public/DOWNLOADS_DE/HOME/20140710_GOT_Nominierung_de.pdf |archive-date=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 |access-date=August 19, 2014 |language=de}}</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 US-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 focused solely on visualizing Daenerys Targaryen's dragons, with the average production time per season of 20 to 22 weeks.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=Johnson |first=Thomas |title=How 'Game of Thrones' creates its dragons |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/Game-of-thrones-dragons/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |publisher=[[Jeff Bezos]] |access-date=April 12, 2015 |date=March 19, 2015}}</ref> For the fifth season, HBO added Canadian-based [[Image Engine]] and US-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]] |access-date=May 18, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709150904/https://image-engine.com/case-studies/game-of-thrones-season-5/ |archive-date=July 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |title=Current Projects |publisher=Crazy Horse Effects |access-date=May 18, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601231708/http://www.chevfx.com/current-projects.php |archive-date=June 1, 2015}}</ref> Visual effect supervisor Joe Bauer said that the VFX team worked on more than "10,000 shots of visual effects" throughout all eight seasons.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Price|first=Joe|date=April 1, 2019|title=HBO Shares Video Detailing the Visual Effects in 'Game of Thrones'|work=[[Complex Networks|Complex]]|publisher=[[Verizon Communications]]/[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2019/04/hbo-shares-video-behind-the-scenes-special-visual-effects-game-of-thrones|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402142625/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2019/04/hbo-shares-video-behind-the-scenes-special-visual-effects-game-of-thrones|archive-date=April 2, 2019}}</ref> More than 300 artists worked on the show's visual effects team.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fashingbauer Cooper |first1=Gael |title=Game of Thrones dragons fired up season 8: How Drogon and friends were made |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-dragons-fired-up-season-8-how-drogon-and-friends-were-made/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[ViacomCBS]] |date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513093910/https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-dragons-fired-up-season-8-how-drogon-and-friends-were-made/ |archive-date=May 13, 2020}}</ref> The show won eight [[Creative Arts Emmy Award]]s for visual effects, winning for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in seven consecutive seasons.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Sanchez|first=Chelsey|date=September 22, 2019|title=Every Emmy Award Game of Thrones Has Ever Won|magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a29068578/game-of-thrones-emmys-total-wins/|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615183900/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a29068578/game-of-thrones-emmys-total-wins/|archive-date=June 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Desowitz|first=Bill|date=September 15, 2019|title='Game of Thrones': Creative Arts Dominance Predicts Primetime Emmy Coronation|work=[[IndieWire]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/game-of-thrones-creative-arts-emmys-1202173747/|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204180347/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/09/game-of-thrones-creative-arts-emmys-1202173747/|archive-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref>

====Title sequence====
{{main|Game of Thrones title sequence|l1=''Game of Thrones'' title sequence}}

The series's [[title sequence]] was created for HBO by production studio Elastic.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gonzales |first1=Erica |title=The Game of Thrones Season 8 Title Sequence Is Completely Different |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a27141256/game-of-thrones-season-8-intro-change/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |magazine=[[Harper's Bazaar]] |agency=[[Hearst Communications]] |date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511213758/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a27141256/game-of-thrones-season-8-intro-change/ |archive-date=May 11, 2020}}</ref> [[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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=Fernandez |first=Sofia M. |title=Emmys 2011: 'Game of Thrones' Title Sequence Gives Series Its First Emmy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/emmys-2011-game-thrones-title-233780/ |access-date=January 20, 2022 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |date=September 10, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> which depicts a [[Raised-relief map|three-dimensional map]] of [[World of A Song of Ice and Fire|the series's 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/ |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |last=Perkins |first=Will |title=Game of Thrones (2011) |url=http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/game-of-thrones/ |access-date=June 1, 2013 |publisher=[[Art of the Title]] |date=May 11, 2011 |url-status=live}}</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]] detailing the episode's writer(<span class="ltr">s</span>) 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 journal|last=Re|first=Valentina|date=July 11, 2016|title=From Saul Bass to participatory culture: Opening title sequences in contemporary television series|url=https://necsus-ejms.org/saul-bass-participatory-culture-opening-title-sequences-contemporary-tv-series/|journal=[[European Network for Cinema and Media Studies (NECS)|NECSUS]]|volume=5|issue=1|pages=149–175|publisher=[[Amsterdam University Press]]|doi=10.25969/mediarep/3352|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606020904/https://necsus-ejms.org/saul-bass-participatory-culture-opening-title-sequences-contemporary-tv-series/|archive-date=June 6, 2017|access-date=November 1, 2020|quote=In the second case the title sequence changes (to varying extents) from one season to another or even from one episode to the subsequent (Game of Thrones, HBO 2011–present), explicitly challenging the viewer to modify his/her interpretation and expectations.|via=[[Directory of Open Access Journals]]|doi-access=free}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named the title sequence one of the best on television, calling it an "all-inclusive cruise of Westeros".<ref>{{cite magazine |title=25 of TV's best opening credit sequences |url=https://ew.com/tv/tv-best-opening-credits/?slide=6239669#6239669 |access-date=May 25, 2020 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525202953/https://ew.com/tv/tv-best-opening-credits/?slide=6239669 |archive-date=May 25, 2020}}</ref>

===Music===
{{main|Music of Game of Thrones|l1=Music of ''Game of Thrones''}}
[[File:Ramin Djawadi.jpg|thumb|alt=Ramin Djawadi|upright|[[Ramin Djawadi]] composed the ''Game of Thrones'' score.]]

[[Ramin Djawadi]] composed the series's music. The first season's soundtrack, written about ten weeks before the series's premiere,<ref name=Ryan>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202120407/http://www.aoltv.com/2011/02/02/game-of-thrones/ |archive-date=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/ |access-date=July 20, 2011 |publisher=[[AOL TV]] |date=February 2, 2011}}</ref> was published by [[Varèse Sarabande]] in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725184403/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/05/31/game-of-thrones-soundtrack-details/ |archive-date=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 |access-date=June 15, 2011 |url-status=live}}</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=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397 |work=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[RhythmOne]] |access-date=August 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829162008/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramin-djawadi-mn0000940397 |archive-date=August 29, 2016}}</ref> Djawadi composed [[Leitmotif|reoccurring themes]] for each of the major houses and some main characters.<ref name="Djawadi">{{cite web |url=https://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 |access-date=November 6, 2016 |work=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017123724/http://www.vulture.com/2016/07/game-of-thrones-composer-ramin-djawadi-key-musical-elements.html |archive-date=October 17, 2016}}</ref> Some themes evolved over time. Daenerys Targaryen's theme was simple and became more complex after each season. At first, her theme was played by a single instrument, a [[cello]], and Djawadi later incorporated more instruments into it.<ref name="Djawadi"/> Djawadi was nominated twice for a [[Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media]] for his work on the show.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ramin Djawadi |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/ramin-djawadi |website=[[Grammy Award]]s |date=November 26, 2019 |publisher=[[The Recording Academy]] |access-date=May 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200522011326/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/ramin-djawadi |archive-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> In addition to the originally scored music, [[Columbia Records]] released the ''[[For the Throne: Music Inspired by the HBO Series Game of Thrones]]'' companion album on April 26, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Alex |title=HBO announces Game of Thrones-inspired album For the Throne |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/04/hbo-announces-game-of-thrones-inspired-album-for-the-throne/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Consequence of Sound]] |date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727092437/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/04/hbo-announces-game-of-thrones-inspired-album-for-the-throne/ |archive-date=July 27, 2019}}</ref>

===Language===
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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chivers |first1=Tom |title=What do the regional accents mean in Game of Thrones? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/what-game-of-thrones-accents-mean/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428212336/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/what-game-of-thrones-accents-mean/ |archive-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref> The Northerner Eddard Stark 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|last=McNeil|first=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.|access-date=April 20, 2017|location=Toronto|date=June 24, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421095418/http://www.metronews.ca/entertainment/2016/06/24/dialect-coach-dissects-game-of-thrones-accents.html|archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</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]] |access-date=April 20, 2017 |date=June 27, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=April 21, 2017}}</ref> Characters foreign to Westeros often have a non-British accent.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Chris |title=The 7 accents of 'Game of Thrones' explained for non-Brits |url=https://mashable.com/2017/11/29/game-of-thrones-accents-guide-british/ |access-date=May 21, 2020 |work=[[Mashable]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308233245/https://mashable.com/2017/11/29/game-of-thrones-accents-guide-british/ |archive-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref>

Although the common language of Westeros is represented as English, 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html |archive-date=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=https://vulture.com/2013/04/game-of-thrones-dothraki-language-inventor.html |access-date=April 24, 2013 |newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 23, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tharoor |first1=Ishaan |title=Tongues of Ice and Fire: Creating the Languages in Game of Thrones |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2013/05/03/tongues-of-ice-and-fire-creating-the-languages-of-game-of-thrones/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=May 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924055001/http://entertainment.time.com/2013/05/03/tongues-of-ice-and-fire-creating-the-languages-of-game-of-thrones/ |archive-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> Before production, Peterson wrote 300 pages of Dothraki language material, including translation and word function.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Blake |first1=Meredith |title=How 'Game of Thrones' linguist David J. Peterson became Hollywood's go-to language guy |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-ca-game-of-thrones-language-creator-david-peterson-dothraki-20190409-story.html |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324175832/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-ca-game-of-thrones-language-creator-david-peterson-dothraki-20190409-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> Dothraki and Valyrian dialogue is often subtitled in English.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |title=''Game of Thrones'': Can you speak Dothraki? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22461670 |access-date=May 10, 2013 |work=[[BBC Radio 4]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=May 9, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Language-learning company [[Duolingo]] began offering courses in High Valyrian in 2017,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Epstein |first1=Adam |title=An app can now teach you High Valyrian from "Game of Thrones" |url=https://qz.com/1027693/game-of-thrones-duolingo-now-offers-a-high-valyrian-language-course/ |access-date=May 25, 2020 |work=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] |publisher=Uzabase |date=July 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029131348/https://qz.com/1027693/game-of-thrones-duolingo-now-offers-a-high-valyrian-language-course/ |archive-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> of which 1.2{{nbsp}}million people signed up for between 2017 and 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Higgins-Dunn |first1=Noah |title=If you are a 'Game of Thrones' fan, this app will teach you how to speak in High Valyrian |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/14/game-of-thrones-fans-this-app-teaches-you-to-speak-in-high-valyrian.html |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[CNBC]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal Television and Streaming]] |date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112051445/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/14/game-of-thrones-fans-this-app-teaches-you-to-speak-in-high-valyrian.html |archive-date=November 12, 2019}}</ref>

==Availability==
===Broadcast===
''Game of Thrones'' was 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 US or weeks (or months) later. Broadcasters carrying ''Game of Thrones'' included [[Fox Showcase]] in Australia; [[HBO Canada]], [[Super Écran]], and [[Showcase (Canadian TV channel)|Showcase]] in Canada; [[HBO Latin America]] in [[Latin America]]; [[Sky (New Zealand)|Sky Television Network]]'s [[Soho (New Zealand)|SoHo]] and [[Neon (service)|Neon]] in New Zealand; and [[Sky Atlantic]] in the United Kingdom and Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lotz |first1=Amanda |title=How 'Game of Thrones' became TV's first global blockbuster |url=https://theconversation.com/how-game-of-thrones-became-tvs-first-global-blockbuster-79820 |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |date=July 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429033045/https://theconversation.com/how-game-of-thrones-became-tvs-first-global-blockbuster-79820 |archive-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Final Game of Thrones season to screen in NZ at the same time as the US |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/109919596/final-game-of-thrones-season-to-screen-in-nz-at-the-same-time-as-the-us |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |publisher=[[Nine Entertainment Co.]] |date=January 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724040403/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/109919596/final-game-of-thrones-season-to-screen-in-nz-at-the-same-time-as-the-us |archive-date=July 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Downes |first1=Siobhan |title=The new Neon is here: What does the Neon-Lightbox merger look like? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/122055159/the-new-neon-is-here-what-does-the-neonlightbox-merger-look-like |access-date=July 7, 2020 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707043333/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/122055159/the-new-neon-is-here-what-does-the-neonlightbox-merger-look-like|archive-date=July 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Peter |title='Game Of Thrones' Scores 3.8M Viewers On UK's Sky Atlantic; Finale Was Second Highest Sky Drama Ever |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-sky-finale-ratings-1202619721/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=May 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522131159/https://deadline.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-sky-finale-ratings-1202619721/ |archive-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref> In India, two versions of the series were aired; [[Star World (Indian TV channel)|Star World]] aired a [[Censorship|censored]] version of the series on television at the same time as the US, while an uncensored version was made available for live viewing on the [[Hotstar]] app.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 14, 2019 |title=Game of Thrones Season 8: When and Where to Watch GoT on HBO, Hotstar; How to Watch the first episode in India |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/tv-game-of-thrones-season-8-when-and-where-to-watch-got-on-hbo-hotstar-how-to-watch-the-final-season-online-in-india-514261 |access-date=June 20, 2020 |website=[[India TV]] |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030050210/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/tv-game-of-thrones-season-8-when-and-where-to-watch-got-on-hbo-hotstar-how-to-watch-the-final-season-online-in-india-514261 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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, the first television series to be shown in this format.<ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123092247/http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/ |archive-date=January 23, 2015 |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/01/06/game-of-thrones-imax/ |title='Game of Thrones' coming to IMAX: First TV series released in format |last=Hibberd |first=James |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=January 6, 2015 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The show earned $686,000 at the box office on its opening day<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828102303/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/box-office-game-of-thrones-eyes-2-million-in-imax-debut-1201420355/ |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |url=https://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]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]] |date=January 31, 2015 |access-date=February 1, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> and $1.5{{nbsp}}million during its opening weekend;<ref>{{cite web|title='Game Of Thrones' Grabs $1.5M At The B.O.: IMAX As TV's Next Great Revolution|url=https://deadline.com/2015/02/game-of-thrones-imax-box-office-hbo-warner-bros-1201364267/|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=February 1, 2015|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117125733/https://deadline.com/2015/02/game-of-thrones-imax-box-office-hbo-warner-bros-1201364267/|archive-date=January 17, 2019|access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref> the week-long release grossed $1,896,092.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905171144/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=gameofthronesimax.htm |title=Game of Thrones (IMAX) (2015) |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher=[[IMDb]] |date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=April 12, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Before the season eight premiere, HBO screened "[[The Spoils of War (Game of Thrones)|The Spoils of War]]" episode from season seven in movie theaters in New York, Los Angeles, and "Chicago".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Prudom |first1=Laura |title='Game of Thrones' comes to theaters to distract you from the long wait for Season 8 |url=https://mashable.com/2017/12/06/game-of-thrones-fan-screening-season-7-movie-theater-dvd-blu-ray/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Mashable]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=December 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405143559/https://mashable.com/2017/12/06/game-of-thrones-fan-screening-season-7-movie-theater-dvd-blu-ray/ |archive-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref>

===Home media and streaming===
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.<ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017022137/http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/11/30/game-of-thrones-dvd/ |archive-date=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/ |access-date=December 5, 2011 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=November 30, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The box set sold over 350,000 copies in the week following its release, the largest first-week DVD sales ever for an HBO series. The series also set an HBO-series record for digital-download sales.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018144145/https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316 |archive-date=October 18, 2014 |last=Richwine |first=Lisa |title='Game of Thrones' rules HBO's DVD sales |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-tv-gameofthrones-idUSBRE82E1BI20120316 |date=March 16, 2012 |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=March 13, 2013 |url-status=live}}</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 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=April 19, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

DVD-Blu-ray box sets and digital downloads of the second season became available on February 19, 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hibberd |first=James |title='Game of Thrones' season 2 DVD date and extras revealed – Exclusive |url=https://ew.com/article/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/ |access-date=January 20, 2022 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=November 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704025800/http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/11/19/game-of-thrones-season-2-dvd/ |archive-date=July 4, 2014}}</ref> First-day sales broke HBO records, with 241,000 box sets sold and 355,000 episodes downloaded.<ref>{{cite magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030023317/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/02/22/game-of-thrones-dvd-sales-breaking-hbo-records/ |title='Game of Thrones' early DVD sales breaking HBO records |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=February 22, 2013 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |last = Hibberd |first = James |url-status=live}}</ref> The third season was made available for purchase as a digital download on the Australian [[iTunes Store]], parallel to the US 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 |work=[[iTunes Store]] |date=April 17, 2011 |publisher=[[Apple, Inc.]] |access-date=March 31, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508105049/https://itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season/game-of-thrones-season-3/id611198334?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 |archive-date=May 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909203852/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-3/18611|archive-date=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|work=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|last=Lambert|first=David|date=June 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fourth season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 17, 2015,<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908225452/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Game-Thrones-Season-4/20065|archive-date=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|website=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|last=Lambert|first=David|date=July 16, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the fifth season on March 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Romano |first1=Nick |title='Game of Thrones' Season 5 Blu-ray Coming in March |url=https://collider.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-blu-ray-release-date-price/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=January 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109160334/https://collider.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-blu-ray-release-date-price/ |archive-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref> Blu-ray and DVD versions of the sixth season were released on November 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fowler |first1=Matt |title=Game of Thrones: Big Interactive Fan Event Tied to Season 6 Blu-ray Release |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/11/14/game-of-thrones-big-interactive-fan-event-tied-to-season-6-blu-ray-release |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180814051419/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/11/14/game-of-thrones-big-interactive-fan-event-tied-to-season-6-blu-ray-release |archive-date=August 14, 2018}}</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 (magazine)|Sound & Vision]] |date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=May 28, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515165338/http://www.soundandvision.com/content/game-thrones-winter-coming%E2%80%94-atmos |archive-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> In 2018, the first season was released in [[4K resolution|4K]] [[High-dynamic-range video|HDR]] on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Game-of-Thrones-4K-The-Complete-First-Season-Blu-ray/202472/ |title=Game of Thrones 4K: The Complete First Season Blu-ray |website=[[Blu-ray]] |access-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716074719/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Game-of-Thrones-4K-The-Complete-First-Season-Blu-ray/202472/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Blu-ray and DVD versions of the seventh season were released on December 12, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dornbush |first1=Jonathon |title=Game of Thrones: Season 7 Blu-Ray, DVD, Digital Download Release Dates, Bonus Features Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/14/game-of-thrones-season-7-blu-ray-dvd-digital-download-release-dates-bonus-features-announced |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101001826/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/14/game-of-thrones-season-7-blu-ray-dvd-digital-download-release-dates-bonus-features-announced |archive-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref> The final season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 3, 2019. The home release also included behind-the-scenes footage and cast commentary.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title=8 revelations from the Game of Thrones series finale DVD commentary |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/11/28/game-of-thrones-series-finale-dvd-commentary/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |date=November 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516233046/https://ew.com/tv/2019/11/28/game-of-thrones-series-finale-dvd-commentary/ |archive-date=May 16, 2020}}</ref> A box set containing all eight seasons, including a cast reunion hosted by [[Conan O'Brien]], was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 3, 2019,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kooser |first1=Amada |title=Game of Thrones Blu-ray box set lets you hate-watch season 8 all over again |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-blu-ray-box-set-lets-you-hate-watch-the-show-all-over-again/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=June 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715192332/https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-blu-ray-box-set-lets-you-hate-watch-the-show-all-over-again/ |archive-date=July 15, 2019}}</ref> and was also released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on November 3, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-of-thrones-4k-bluray-box-set-preorders-up-now/1100-6479547/ |title=Game Of Thrones 4K Blu-Ray Box Set Pre-Orders Up Now |website=GameSpot |first=Steve |last=Petite |date=July 20, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=April 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417164835/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-of-thrones-4k-bluray-box-set-preorders-up-now/1100-6479547/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2022, the complete series was released in [[4K resolution|4K]], [[Dolby Vision]] [[High-dynamic-range television|HDR]] and [[Dolby Atmos]] on [[HBO Max]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=July 23, 2022 |title=Now you can rewatch Game of Thrones in 4K on HBO Max |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/23/23275429/game-of-thrones-4k-hbo-max-august |access-date=August 3, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220802224706/https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/23/23275429/game-of-thrones-4k-hbo-max-august |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Copyright infringement===
''Game of Thrones'' has been widely [[Copyright infringement of audio-visual works|pirated]], primarily outside the US.<ref name="THR 9 April 2015" /> According to the file-sharing news website [[TorrentFreak]], it was the most pirated television series from 2012 to 2019 (except 2018, when no new episodes were broadcast),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brockwell |first1=Holly |title=Game of Thrones Takes Most-Torrented TV for 7th Year Running
 |url=https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2020/01/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Gizmodo]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |date=January 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111144814/https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2020/01/game-of-thrones-most-torrented-tv/ |archive-date=January 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Chris |title=Game of Thrones Is No Longer the Most Pirated TV Show |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/game-thrones-no-longer-most-172111206.html |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]] |date=January 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504214810/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/game-thrones-no-longer-most-172111206.html |archive-date=May 4, 2019}}</ref> and ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' named it the most-pirated television program in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maisie Williams overjoyed as Game of Thrones marches into Guinness World Records 2016|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562|last=Lynch|first=Kevin|date=August 31, 2015|work=[[Guinness World Records]]|publisher=[[Jim Pattison Group]]|url-status=live|archive-url=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|archive-date=June 3, 2016|access-date=November 11, 2015}}</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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629121501/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594|archive-date=June 29, 2016|last=Jarvey|first=Natalie|title='Game of Thrones' Piracy Soars Ahead of Season 5 Premiere|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594|access-date=April 10, 2015|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|date=April 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> An unnamed episode was downloaded about {{nowrap|4.28 million}} times through public [[BitTorrent tracker]]s in 2012, roughly equal to its number of broadcast viewers.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720011942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739 |archive-date=July 20, 2016 |title=Game of Thrones tops TV show internet piracy chart |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20836739 |access-date=January 4, 2013 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=December 24, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617091847/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-most-pirated-tv-show-of-2012-121223/ |archive-date=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/ |access-date=December 23, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Piracy rates were particularly high in Australia<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802013734/https://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |archive-date=August 2, 2016 |url=http://torrentfreak.com/whos-pirating-game-of-thrones-and-why-120520/ |title=Who's Pirating Game of Thrones, And Why? |work=[[TorrentFreak]] |date=May 20, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> prompting the US Ambassador to Australia, [[Jeff Bleich]], to issue a statement in 2013 condemning the practice there.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=April 25, 2013 |work=[[The Age]] |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |date=April 25, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Delays in availability by non-HBO broadcasters before 2015 and the cost of subscriptions to their services have been cited as causes for the series's illegal distribution.<ref>{{cite news|last=Isidore|first=Chris|date=April 2, 2013|title=Game of Thrones premiere sets piracy record|work=[[CNN]]|publisher=[[WarnerMedia]]|url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/04/02/technology/game-of-thrones-piracy/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705134445/https://money.cnn.com/2013/04/02/technology/game-of-thrones-piracy/index.html|archive-date=July 5, 2017}}</ref> According to TorrentFreak, a subscription to a service broadcasting ''Game of Thrones'' 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710144941/https://torrentfreak.com/why-people-pirate-game-of-thrones-a-global-cost-breakdown-140413/ |archive-date=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/ |access-date=April 15, 2014 |work=[[TorrentFreak]] |date=April 13, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, to combat unauthorized downloads, HBO said it intended to make its content more widely available within a week of the US premiere (including [[HBO Go]]).<ref name="Compliment">{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=March 31, 2013|title=HBO: 'Game of Thrones' piracy is a compliment|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222130529/https://ew.com/article/2013/03/31/hbo-thrones-piracy/|archive-date=December 22, 2019}}</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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626183441/http://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966 |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |title=Nearly Half of Game of Thrones Season 5 Just Leaked |url=https://gizmodo.com/nearly-half-of-game-of-thrones-season-5-just-leaked-1697305966 |website=[[Gizmodo]] |date=April 12, 2015 |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |url-status=live}}</ref> Within a day of the leak, the files were downloaded over 800,000 times;<ref>{{cite web|last=Jarvey|first=Natalie|date=April 9, 2015|title='Game of Thrones' Piracy Soars Ahead of Season 5 Premiere|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610215038/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/game-thrones-piracy-soars-season-787594|archive-date=June 10, 2020|access-date=July 5, 2020|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> in one week the illegal downloads reached 32{{nbsp}}million, with the season five premiere—"[[The Wars to Come]]"— pirated 13{{nbsp}}million times.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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]] |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media |access-date=May 12, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The season five finale ("[[Mother's Mercy]]") was the most simultaneously shared file in the history of the [[BitTorrent]] file sharing protocol, with over 250,000 sharers and over 1.5{{nbsp}}million downloads in eight hours.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811132514/https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-season-finale-breaks-piracy-record-150615/ |archive-date=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 |access-date=June 15, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> HBO did not send screeners to the press for the sixth season to prevent the spread of unlicensed copies and [[Spoiler (media)|spoilers]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Timmer |first1=Joel |title=Jon Snow Lives! Glenn Dies! When Revealing Plot Twists Constitutes Copyright Infringement |journal=Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law |date=April 1, 2020 |volume=22 |issue=3 |page=590 |issn=1942-678X |quote=To help keep plot twists from becoming public, the network discontinued its previous practice of providing preview screeners to TV critics and others.}}</ref> [[Game of Thrones season 7|Season seven]] was either illegally streamed or downloaded over 1 billion times, with the season averaging 14.7 billion illegal views, and the season finale garnering over 120 million illegal views within its first 72 hours.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holloway|first=Daniel|date=September 7, 2017|title='Game of Thrones' Season 7 Pirated More Than 1 Billion Times|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/game-of-thrones-piratacy-1202550723/|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023081524/https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/game-of-thrones-piratacy-1202550723/|archive-date=October 23, 2017}}</ref> According to anti-piracy company MUSO, the [[Game of Thrones season 8|eighth season]] was illegally downloaded or viewed most in India and China.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=April 17, 2019|title=Game of Thrones' season 8 premiere was pirated almost 55 million times in the first 24 hours|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/17/18412159/game-of-thrones-got-season-8-premiere-pirated-55-million-times-first-24-hours-hbo|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629082523/https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/17/18412159/game-of-thrones-got-season-8-premiere-pirated-55-million-times-first-24-hours-hbo|archive-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref> Illegal viewership for the final season was double the number of legal viewers, with {{nowrap|55 million}} illegal downloads for the season eight premiere "[[Winterfell (Game of Thrones episode)|Winterfell]]", compared to 17.4{{Nbsp}}million who watched on HBO platforms.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brockwell|first=Holly|date=April 18, 2019|title=More Than Twice as Many People Pirated Game of Thrones Than Watched It|work=[[Gizmodo]]|publisher=[[G/O Media]]|url=https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2019/04/pirated-game-of-thrones/|url-status=live|access-date=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925220356/https://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2019/04/pirated-game-of-thrones/|archive-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref>

Observers, including series director David Petrarca and [[Time Warner]] CEO [[Jeff Bewkes]], said that illegal downloads did not hurt the series's prospects; it benefited from "[[Marketing buzz|buzz]]" and social commentary, and the high piracy rate did not significantly translate into lost subscriptions.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318180807/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |archive-date=March 18, 2016 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/downloads-dont-matter-20130226-2f36r.html |title=Downloads don't matter |date=February 26, 2013 |access-date=March 2, 2013 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=[[Nine Entertainment Co.]] |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Time Warner's Bewkes: Piracy of HBO 'Game of Thrones' Is 'Better Than an Emmy' |url=https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/time-warners-bewkes-piracy-of-hbo-game-of-thrones-is-better-than-an-emmy-1200575271/ |access-date=May 22, 2020 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=August 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920214244/https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/time-warners-bewkes-piracy-of-hbo-game-of-thrones-is-better-than-an-emmy-1200575271/ |archive-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308073846/http://www.polygon.com/2014/4/21/5636120/game-of-thrones-free-to-play-tv-hbo |archive-date=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 |access-date=April 21, 2014 |newspaper=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |date=April 21, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> At a 2015 [[Oxford Union]] panel discussion, series co-creator David Benioff said that he was just glad that people watched the series; illegally downloaded episodes sometimes interested viewers enough to buy a copy, especially in countries where ''Game of Thrones'' was not televised. Series co-creator {{nowrap|D. B. Weiss}} had mixed feelings, saying that the series 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 | date=March 20, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=June 15, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150601173130/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfvVluNxujc |archive-date=June 1, 2015}}</ref>

==Reception==
==={{anchor|General}}Critical response===
====General====
{{Television critical response
| link1             = Game of Thrones season 1#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes1  = 90% (224 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS1">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 1 (2011)|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823100552/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s01|archive-date=August 23, 2015|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref>
| metacritic1       = 80 (28 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS1">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 1|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-1|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archive-date=July 16, 2017|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

| link2             = Game of Thrones season 2#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes2  = 96% (304 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS2">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 2 (2012)|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154031/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s02|archive-date=August 21, 2015|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref>
| metacritic2       = 90 (26 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS2">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 2|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109081824/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-2|archive-date=January 9, 2014|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>

| link3             = Game of Thrones season 3#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes3  = 96% (419 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS3">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 (2013)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101101539/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game_of_thrones/s03|archive-date=January 1, 2020|access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
| metacritic3       = 91 (25 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS3">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 3|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127170458/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-3|archive-date=November 27, 2012|access-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref>

| link4             = Game of Thrones season 4#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes4  = 97% (571 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS4">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 4 (2014)|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821154042/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s04|archive-date=August 21, 2015|access-date=December 29, 2017}}</ref>
| metacritic4       = 94 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS4">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 4|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404151021/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-4|archive-date=April 4, 2014|access-date=April 8, 2014}}</ref>

| link5             = Game of Thrones season 5#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes5  = 93% (574 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS5">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 (2015)|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826102539/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s05|archive-date=August 26, 2015|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref>
| metacritic5       = 91 (29 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS5">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 5|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417014228/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5|archive-date=April 17, 2015|access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref>

| link6             = Game of Thrones season 6#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes6  = 94% (667 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS6">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 6 (2016)|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424160905/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s06|archive-date=April 24, 2016|access-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref>
| metacritic6       = 73 (9 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS6">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 6|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426183043/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-6|archive-date=April 26, 2016|access-date=April 28, 2016}}</ref>

| link7             = Game of Thrones season 7#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes7  = 93% (418 reviews)<ref name="RottenTomatoesS7">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 7|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07/#episodes|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430154506/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s07#episodes|archive-date=April 30, 2016|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref>
| metacritic7       = 77 (12 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS7">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 7|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722061455/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-7|archive-date=July 22, 2017|access-date=July 18, 2017}}</ref>

| link8             = Game of Thrones season 8#Critical response
| rotten_tomatoes8  = 55% (699 reviews)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Game of Thrones: Season 8 (2019)|url=https://rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s08|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127045509/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game-of-thrones/s08|archive-date=January 27, 2020|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref>
| metacritic8       = 75 (13 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Game of Thrones – Season 8 Reviews|url=https://metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-8|website=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303163429/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-8|archive-date=March 3, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2019}}</ref>
}}

''Game of Thrones'', particularly the first six seasons, received critical acclaim, although the series's frequent use of nudity and violence has been criticized. The series has an overall rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 86 on Metacritic.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game_of_thrones|title=Game of Thrones|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=August 23, 2022|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123033430/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game_of_thrones|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones|title=Game of Thrones|website=Metacritic|access-date=August 23, 2022|archive-date=May 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520034028/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones|url-status=live}}</ref> Some critics and publications have called the show among the best HBO series of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=September 29, 2013|title=HBO: 20 Best Original Series|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/gallery/hbo-20-best-original-series/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001043211/https://ew.com/gallery/hbo-20-best-original-series/|archive-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Kirkland|first=Justin|date=March 12, 2020|title=The 25 Best HBO Series of All Time, Ranked|work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/g26293745/best-hbo-series/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312232923/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/g26293745/best-hbo-series/|archive-date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> The series was highly anticipated by fans before its premiere.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gregory|first=Mathilda|date=July 23, 2010|title=Is A Game of Thrones the most eagerly anticipated TV show ever?|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120193535/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/jul/22/game-of-thrones-most-anticipated|archive-date=November 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Colins|first=Scott|date=August 8, 2010|title=With 'Game of Thrones,' HBO is playing for another 'True Blood'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/08/with-game-of-thrones-hbo-is-plotting-for-another-true-blood.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 13, 2013|archive-url=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|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> [[James Poniewozik]] said the pilot episode set "a very large table",<ref>{{Cite news|last=Poniewozik|first=James|date=April 18, 2011|title=Game of Thrones Watch: It's All in the Execution|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/04/18/game-of-thrones-watch-its-all-in-the-execution/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123030459/http://entertainment.time.com/2011/04/18/game-of-thrones-watch-its-all-in-the-execution/|archive-date=November 23, 2019}}</ref> while Ti Singh of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' said the show "is here to stay".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Ti|date=April 18, 2011|title=Game Of Thrones episode 1 review: Winter Is Coming|work=[[Den of Geek]]|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]]|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/game-of-thrones-episode-1-review-winter-is-coming/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524230735/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/game-of-thrones-episode-1-review-winter-is-coming/|archive-date=May 24, 2020}}</ref>

First-season reviewers said the series had high production values, a fully realized world and compelling characters.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Tucker|first=Ken|date=April 14, 2011|title=Game of Thrones (2011)|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/04/14/game-thrones/|url-status=live|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017221329/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20481542%2C00.html|archive-date=October 17, 2014}}</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|last=Levine|first=Stuart|date=December 27, 2011|title=Cablers hit highs, lows, PR hurdles in 2011|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/|url-status=dead|access-date=December 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cablers-hit-highs-lows-pr-hurdles-in-2011-1118047923/|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> The second season was also well received. ''Entertainment Weekly'' praised its "vivid, vital, and just plain fun" storytelling<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Tucker|first=Ken|date=March 21, 2012|title=TV Review: Game Of Thrones (2012)|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/03/23/game-thrones-2/|url-status=live|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027041802/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20470532_20580368%2C00.html|archive-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> and, according to ''The Hollywood Reporter'', the series 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|last=Goodman|first=Tim|date=March 27, 2012|title='Game of Thrones' Season 2: TV Review|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|url=http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/Game-of-Thrones-HBO-Peter-Dinklage-George-Martin-304869|url-status=dead|access-date=March 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125162126/http://edit.hollywoodreporter.com/review/game-of-thrones-hbo-peter-dinklage-george-martin-304869|archive-date=January 25, 2017}}</ref> 

The critical response for the middle seasons were also positive. Matt Fowler of ''[[IGN]]'' said the series was "still quite marvelous" praising the character development.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fowler|first=Matt|date=June 17, 2013|title=Game of Thrones: Season 3 Review|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/17/game-of-thrones-season-3-review|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313141202/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/17/game-of-thrones-season-3-review|archive-date=March 13, 2020}}</ref> ''[[TV Guide]]'' named the third season's penultimate episode "[[The Rains of Castamere]]" as number three on their 65 Best Episodes of the 21st Century.<ref name="EditorsLetter">{{cite magazine|last=Fell|first=Michael|date=April 2–15, 2018|title=The 65 Best Episodes of the 21st Century – Editor's Letter|magazine=TV Guide|issue=#3429–3440|page=1}}</ref> The critical acclaim continued into season four, with Darren Franich of ''Entertainment Weekly'' calling the season " the height of the show's icon-generating powers".<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Franich|first=Darren|date=May 20, 2019|title=All the Game of Thrones seasons, ranked|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/tv/game-of-thrones-seasons-ranked|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420221016/https://ew.com/tv/game-of-thrones-seasons-ranked/|archive-date=April 20, 2020}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' stated that the show deviated significantly from the novels however the "changes benefited the show and condensed the substantial source text admirably well".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Debnath|first=Neela|date=June 16, 2014|title=Game of Thrones season 4 finale review: 'The Children' is a fitting end to the most tumultuous season to date|work=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/game-of-thrones-season-4-finale-review-a-fitting-end-to-the-most-tumultuous-season-yet-9537245.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218141247/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/game-of-thrones-season-4-finale-review-a-fitting-end-to-the-most-tumultuous-season-yet-9537245.html|archive-date=February 18, 2019}}</ref> The critical response to season five was again positive, however, some commentators criticized the sexual assault in the "[[Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken]]" episode.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Malitz|first=David|date=May 18, 2015|title='Game of Thrones' recap, season 5, episode 6: 'Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken' — but plenty disgusted and disappointed|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|publisher=[[Nash Holdings]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/05/18/game-of-thrones-recap-season-5-episode-6-unbowed-unbent-unbroken-but-plenty-disgusted-and-disappointed/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220170640/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/05/18/game-of-thrones-recap-season-5-episode-6-unbowed-unbent-unbroken-but-plenty-disgusted-and-disappointed/|archive-date=February 20, 2016}}</ref> Season six also received favorable reviews. [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] criticized the repetitive story lines early in the season, however, its reviewer praised the "[[Battle of the Bastards]]" episode as "one of the show's very best".<ref>{{Cite news|last=D'Addario|first=Daniel|date=June 19, 2016|title=Review: 'Battle of the Bastards' Is One of Game of Thrones's Best Episodes Ever|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]. PLC|url=https://time.com/4374330/game-of-thrones-battle-of-the-bastards-review/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523022838/http://time.com/4374330/game-of-thrones-battle-of-the-bastards-review/|archive-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref> One reviewer also said there were "more [[Women's empowerment|woman-friendly]]" themes throughout the season,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Zoller Seitz|first=Matt|date=April 25, 2016|title=Game of Thrones Feels Warmer in Its Sixth Season|work=[[New York (magazine)#Digital expansion and destination sites|Vulture]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-season-six-feels-warmer.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620140105/https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/game-of-thrones-season-six-feels-warmer.html|archive-date=June 20, 2019}}</ref> with another singling out Arya Stark{{'s}} story arc.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Liz|first=Shannon Miller|date=April 24, 2016|title=Review: 'Game of Thrones' Season 6 Episode 1, 'The Red Woman,' Finds New Sparks In Familiar Territory|work=[[IndieWire]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/04/review-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode-1-the-red-woman-finds-new-sparks-in-familiar-territory-289337/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129100630/https://www.indiewire.com/2016/04/review-game-of-thrones-season-6-episode-1-the-red-woman-finds-new-sparks-in-familiar-territory-289337/|archive-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> 

As the seasons progressed, due to lack of new material from the books the show became less character driven and more reliant on big twists and spectacle.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/dec/30/game-of-thrones-best-tv-2010s |title=Game of Thrones: how it dominated the decade – then lost its way |website=The Guardian |first=Sarah |last=Hughes |date=December 30, 2019 |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref> The show's final two seasons, especially season eight, received more criticism. Season seven was praised for its action sequences and focused central characters, but received criticism for its pace and plot developments that were said to have "defied logic".<ref name="MetacriticS7" /><ref name="RottenTomatoesS7" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones' current breakneck pace is gutting its most anticipated reunions|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/14/16143576/game-of-thrones-season-seven-eastwatch-hbo|last=Farokhmanesh|first=Megan|date=August 14, 2017|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324101523/https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/14/16143576/game-of-thrones-season-seven-eastwatch-hbo|archive-date=March 24, 2020|access-date=November 30, 2017}}</ref> Writing for [[Vox (website)|''Vox'']], Emily VanDerWerff cited the departure from the source material as a reason for the "circular storytelling".<ref>{{Cite news|last=VanDerWerff|first=Emily|date=August 30, 2017|title=How Game of Thrones season 7 went awry|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/30/16218356/game-of-thrones-season-7-review|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814032940/https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/30/16218356/game-of-thrones-season-7-review|archive-date=August 14, 2019}}</ref> Critical reception for season eight was mixed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-season-8-petition-hbo-remake-episode-6-finale-a8918191.html |title=More than a million people sign petition asking HBO to remake Game of Thrones season 8 |quote=The final season of Game of Thrones has been met by mixed reviews from critics. |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=May 17, 2019 |website=[[The Independent]] |access-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622164358/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-season-8-petition-hbo-remake-episode-6-finale-a8918191.html |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' said there was the "rushed business" of the plot which "failed to do justice to its characters or its actors".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mangan|first=Lucy|date=May 20, 2019|title=Game of Thrones review – epic final episode corrects some major wrongs|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/20/game-of-thrones-final-episode-season-eight-finale-review-the-iron-throne|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101052227/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/may/20/game-of-thrones-final-episode-season-eight-finale-review-the-iron-throne|archive-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Maureen Ryan condemned the season's reductive treatment of women, and "decisions set up and executed with little or no foresight or thoughtfulness", declaring the penultimate episode as "Game of Thrones at its worst".<ref>{{cite web|title=Critic's Notebook: In the End, 'Game of Thrones' Finds a Way to Make Its Woman Problem Worse|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/critics-notebook-end-game-thrones-finds-a-way-make-woman-problem-worse-1210104|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Maureen|last=Ryan|date=May 13, 2019|access-date=February 12, 2021|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415152030/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/critics-notebook-end-game-thrones-finds-a-way-make-woman-problem-worse-1210104|url-status=live}}</ref> Fan reaction was mixed for the final season. A petition on [[Change.org]] started by some fans requested that the final season be remade with different writers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=July 25, 2019|title=Game of Thrones: HBO boss responds to fans demanding remake of season 8|work=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-season-8-remake-petition-hbo-controversy-emmys-a9019976.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726151218/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-season-8-remake-petition-hbo-controversy-emmys-a9019976.html|archive-date=July 26, 2019}}</ref> Casey Bloys, HBO's president of programming, said at a [[Television Critics Association]] event "the petition shows a lot of enthusiasm and passion for the show but it wasn't something we seriously considered".<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCluskey|first=Megan|date=July 24, 2019|title=HBO Rejects Petition to Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 Once and for All|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=https://time.com/5634309/hbo-rejects-game-of-thrones-season-8-petition/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725033413/https://time.com/5634309/hbo-rejects-game-of-thrones-season-8-petition/|archive-date=July 25, 2019}}</ref> Despite the criticism of the writing, the music and visual effects were praised.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kornhaber|first=Spencer|date=April 18, 2019|title=Game of Thrones Turned Its Composer Into a Rock Star|work=[[The Atlantic]]|publisher=[[Emerson Collective]]|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/04/game-of-thrones-music-ramin-djawadi/583213/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418072316/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/04/game-of-thrones-music-ramin-djawadi/583213/|archive-date=April 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Burton|first=Bonnie|date=August 7, 2019|title=Game of Thrones: The CGI magic of the fiery finale|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-season-8-cgi-magic-of-the-fiery-finale/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210053427/https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-season-8-cgi-magic-of-the-fiery-finale/|archive-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref> In 2023, ''Game of Thrones'' was included on ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s list of worst TV endings of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/feb/07/best-and-worst-tv-endings-of-all-time |title='I've never forgotten it': the very best (and very worst) TV endings of all time |website=The Guardian |first1=Chitra |last1=Ramaswamy |first2=Scott |last2=Bryan |first3=Phil |last3=Harrison |first4=Kate |last4=Abbott |first5=Stuart |last5=Heritage |first6=Alexi |last6=Duggins |first7=Rebecca |last7=Nicholson |first8=Mark |last8=Lawson |first9=Michael |last9=Hogan |first10=Micha |last10=Frazer-Carroll |first11=Lucy |last11=Mangan |date=February 7, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213104528/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/feb/07/best-and-worst-tv-endings-of-all-time |url-status=live}}</ref>

The cast performances were praised throughout the show's run. Peter Dinklage's "charming, morally ambiguous, and self-aware"<ref name=fantasy>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230144/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |last=Gilbert |first=Matthew |title=Fantasy comes true with HBO's 'Game of Thrones' |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/04/15/hbos_game_of_thrones_is_fantastical/ |access-date=May 19, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=April 15, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> portrayal of Tyrion, which 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 acclaimed. "In many ways, ''Game of Thrones'' belongs to Dinklage", wrote Mary McNamara of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' before Tyrion became the series's central figure in season two.<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011">{{cite news|last=McNamara|first=Mary|date=April 15, 2011|title=Swords, sex and struggles|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-apr-15-la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415-story.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/15/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-review-20110415|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329120407/http://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/singleton/ |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |last=Paskin |first=Willa |title=Bloody, bloody "Game of Thrones" |url=https://www.salon.com/2012/03/29/bloody_bloody_game_of_thrones/ |access-date=January 20, 2022 |newspaper=[[Salon magazine|Salon]] |date=March 29, 2012}}</ref> Several critics highlighted performances by actresses and children.<ref name="Los Angeles Times April 15, 2011" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Roush Review: Grim Thrones Is a Crowning Achievement|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/roush-review-thrones-1031879/|last=Roush|first=Matt|date=April 15, 2011|work=[[TV Guide]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821120407/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Roush-Review-Thrones-1031879.aspx|archive-date=August 21, 2014|access-date=January 20, 2022}}</ref> Lena Headey's portrayal of the "riveting" Cersei Lannister also received praise.<ref name=fantasy/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/12/game-thrones-cersei-kings-landing-battle-interview/|title=Game of Thrones: Lena Headey reacts to that King's Landing battle ending|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=James|last=Hibberd|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=December 30, 2019|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528002423/https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/12/game-thrones-cersei-kings-landing-battle-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> Maisie Williams was singled out as well and her season two work with veteran actor Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister).<ref>{{cite news|date=May 15, 2012|title=The Tywin and Arya Show|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|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|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2013|archive-url=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|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> Stephen Dillane received positive reviews for his performance as Stannis Baratheon, especially in the fifth season, with one critic noting "Whether you like Stannis or not, you have to admit that Stephen Dillane delivered a monumental performance this season."<ref>{{cite web|title=Death! Despair! Dragons! How The 'Game of Thrones' Finale Changed The Game For Everyone|url=http://decider.com/2015/06/15/game-of-thrones-s5-finale-recap/|last=O'Keefe|first=Meghan|date=June 15, 2015|work=[[New York Post#Website|Decider]]|publisher=[[News Corp (2013–present)|News Corp]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324101528/https://decider.com/2015/06/15/game-of-thrones-s5-finale-recap/|archive-date=March 24, 2020|access-date=November 30, 2017}}</ref> The series was also praised for the portrayal of handicapped and disabled characters.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Ellis|first1=Katie M|date=October 25, 2014|title=Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things: Disability in Game of Thrones|url=https://journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mcjournal/article/view/895#:~:text=Game%20of%20Thrones%20includes%20a,Illyn%20Payne%2C%20Khal%20Drago).|journal=M/C Journal|volume=17|issue=5|doi=10.5204/mcj.895|access-date=November 3, 2020|doi-access=free|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119041948/https://journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mcjournal/article/view/895#:~:text=Game%20of%20Thrones%20includes%20a,Illyn%20Payne%2C%20Khal%20Drago).|url-status=live}}</ref> One commentator stated that Tyrion Lannister is a "departure from the archetypal [[Dwarf (mythology)|dwarf]]" often found in other fantasy stories like ''The Lord of the Rings''.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Donnelly|first1=Colleen Elaine|date=December 2, 2016|title=Re-visioning Negative Archetypes of Disability and Deformity in Fantasy: Wicked, Maleficent, and Game of Thrones|url=https://dsq-sds.org/article/view/5313/4470|journal=[[Disability Studies Quarterly]]|volume=36|issue=4|doi=10.18061/dsq.v36i4.5313|access-date=November 3, 2020|doi-access=free|archive-date=October 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023210745/https://dsq-sds.org/article/view/5313/4470|url-status=live}}</ref>

Darren Franich of ''Entertainment Weekly'' gave the series a 'B' rating, saying that it was ultimately "okay". With both "transcendent moments" and "miserable phases", it was "beloved enough to be criticized by everyone for something". Franich described seasons three and four as "relentless", seasons six's ending having a "killer one-two punch", while seasons seven and eight were "indifferent".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Franich |first1=Darren |title=Game of Thrones was… okay: EW review |url=https://ew.com/tv-reviews/2019/05/20/game-of-thrones-finale-series-review/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=May 24, 2019 |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523200024/https://ew.com/tv-reviews/2019/05/20/game-of-thrones-finale-series-review/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave the series a mixed review after the season three finale, criticizing the number of characters, their lack of complexity and a meandering plot.<ref>{{cite news|last=Genzlinger|first=Neil|date=March 29, 2012|title=Uneasy Lies the Head That Steals a Crown: 'Game of Thrones' on HBO|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html|url-status=live|access-date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921082549/http://tv.nytimes.com/2012/03/30/arts/television/game-of-thrones-on-hbo.html|archive-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> The show, however, appeared on many "best of" lists for the end of the [[2010s#Television|2010s]]. [[Alan Sepinwall]], writing for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', placed the series on his "50 Best TV Shows of the 2010s" list, saying its "ability to most of the time keep all of its disparate threads feeling vital and tied to one another, remains a staggering achievement".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sepinwall|first=Alan|date=December 4, 2019|title=50 Best TV Shows of the 2010s|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/50-best-tv-shows-of-decade-2010s-914737/|url-status=live|access-date=May 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519085116/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/50-best-tv-shows-of-decade-2010s-914737/|archive-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref>

====Concerns over depiction of sex and violence<span class="anchor" id="Use of sex and violence"></span><span class="anchor" id="Sex and violence"></span>====
Despite its otherwise enthusiastic reception by critics, ''Game of Thrones'' has been criticized for the amount of female nudity, violence, and [[sexual violence]] it depicts, and for the manner in which it depicts these themes.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sandra|first=Laugier|date=2018|editor-last=Christie|editor-first=Ian|editor2-last=Van den Oever|editor2-first=Annie|title=Stories|chapter=Spoilers, Twists, and Dragons|chapter-url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv5rf6vf.13|page=147|publisher=[[Amsterdam University Press]]|doi=10.2307/j.ctv5rf6vf.13|jstor=j.ctv5rf6vf.13|isbn=9789462985841|access-date=November 2, 2020|via=[[JSTOR]]|jstor-access=free|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814233641/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv5rf6vf.13|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marques |first=Diana |date=March 25, 2019 |title=Power and the Denial of Femininity in Game of Thrones |url=https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/cras.49.1.004 |journal=[[Canadian Review of American Studies]] |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |publication-place=[[Toronto]] |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=46–65 |doi=10.3138/cras.49.1.004 |s2cid=166795717 |via=[[EBSCO Information Services|EBSCO]] |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-date=January 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105161237/https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/cras.49.1.004 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{nowrap|George R. R. Martin}} responded that he felt 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>{{Cite news|last=Flood|first=Alison|date=May 6, 2014|title=George RR Martin defends Game of Thrones' sexual violence|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/06/george-rr-martin-game-of-thrones-sexual-violence|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303053641/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/may/06/george-rr-martin-game-of-thrones-sexual-violence|archive-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> 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 show has reportedly been censored or banned for sexual or violent content in countries like China,<ref>{{cite news|date=May 1, 2014|title=China: Game of Thrones 'heavily edited', fans say|work=[[BBC News]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-27236665|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818103548/https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-27236665|archive-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Blum|first=Jeremy|date=April 30, 2014|title=Game of Thrones premieres on CCTV, viewers call it an edited 'mess'|newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]]|publisher=[[South China Morning Post#SCMP Group|SCMP Publishers]]|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess|url-status=live|access-date=May 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1500897/game-thrones-premieres-cctv-viewers-call-it-edited-mess|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> India,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chari|first=Mridula|date=July 6, 2017|title=Why the censored 'Game of Thrones' on Indian television is so much better than you think|url=https://scroll.in/reel/842459/why-the-censored-game-of-thrones-on-indian-television-is-so-much-better-than-you-think|website=[[Scroll.in]]|language=en-US|access-date=October 4, 2021|archive-date=January 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105161237/https://scroll.in/reel/842459/why-the-censored-game-of-thrones-on-indian-television-is-so-much-better-than-you-think|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Supriya |date=March 10, 2017 |title=What it is like to watch the Game of Thrones on Indian TV |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/what-it-is-like-to-watch-the-game-of-thrones-on-indian-tv/story-gZGSH2akqcLUSloKf5B1UL.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127231356/https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/what-it-is-like-to-watch-the-game-of-thrones-on-indian-tv/story-gZGSH2akqcLUSloKf5B1UL.html |archive-date=January 27, 2022}}</ref> Iran,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Jack |date=July 14, 2017 |title=Game of Thrones Season 7: Iran Goes Crazy For Show Ahead of Premiere |work=[[Newsweek]] |url=https://www.newsweek.com/game-thrones-season-7-iran-goes-crazy-show-ahead-premiere-636680 |url-status=live |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425184232/https://www.newsweek.com/game-thrones-season-7-iran-goes-crazy-show-ahead-premiere-636680 |archive-date=April 25, 2022}}</ref> Jordan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Al-Masri |first=Reem |date=March 3, 2016 |title=Banned: Film and television censorship in Jordan |url=https://freemuse.org/news/jordan-how-film-and-tv-are-banned/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226084958/https://freemuse.org/news/jordan-how-film-and-tv-are-banned/ |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |access-date=October 4, 2021 |website=Freemuse |language=en-GB}}</ref> Singapore,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=July 20, 2016 |title=Singapore Relaxes Censorship for OTT Platforms |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/asia/singapore-relaxes-censorship-for-ott-platforms-1201818277/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004110652/https://variety.com/2016/digital/asia/singapore-relaxes-censorship-for-ott-platforms-1201818277/ |archive-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref> Turkey,<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 6, 2019|title=Game of Thrones star helps young Turks evade censorship|language=en|work=[[The Times]]|first=Hannah|last=Lucinda Smith|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/game-of-thrones-star-helps-young-turks-evade-censorship-nmzmh87rt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210707214709/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/game-of-thrones-star-helps-young-turks-evade-censorship-nmzmh87rt|archive-date=July 7, 2021|url-status=live|issn=0140-0460|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tharoor |first=Ishaan |date=November 11, 2014 |title=Why Turkey's military wants to ban 'Game of Thrones' |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/11/11/why-turkeys-military-wants-to-ban-game-of-thrones/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523201952/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2014/11/11/why-turkeys-military-wants-to-ban-game-of-thrones/ |archive-date=May 23, 2022}}</ref> United Arab Emirates,<ref>{{Cite web|first=Ben|last=Flanagan|date=April 10, 2012|title=Game of Thrones taken off air due to nudity|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts/game-of-thrones-taken-off-air-due-to-nudity-1.408118|website=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref> and Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Matthew Clayfield|date=July 3, 2015|title=How exactly do you sanitise Game of Thrones? Find out in Vietnam|language=en-AU|work=[[The Drum (TV program)|The Drum]]|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-03/clayfield-game-of-thrones/6593656|access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref> 

The amount of sex and nudity in the series, especially in scenes incidental to the plot, was the focus of much of the criticism aimed at it in its [[Game of Thrones season 1|first]] and second seasons. Stephen Dillane, who portrays Stannis Baratheon, likened the series's frequent explicit scenes to "German porn from the 1970s".<ref>{{cite news|last=Caron|first=Nathalie|date=January 16, 2014|title=Why Stephen Dillane is not Crazy About All That Game of Thrones Nudity|newspaper=[[Syfy]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal Television and Streaming]]|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/why-stephen-dillane-not-crazy-about-all-game-thrones-nudity|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525121724/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/why-stephen-dillane-not-crazy-about-all-game-thrones-nudity|archive-date=May 25, 2020}}</ref> The series's use of "[[sexposition]]", plot delivery accompanied by sex or nudity, was criticized as distracting.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hann|first=Michael|date=March 11, 2012|title=How 'sexposition' fleshes out the story|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama|url-status=live|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129063908/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama|archive-date=January 29, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' parodied this aspect of the adaptation in a sketch that portrayed a 13-year-old boy as a ''Game of Thrones'' consultant, whose main concern was showing as many breasts as possible.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bernardin|first=Marc|date=December 17, 2012|title=SNL Reveals the Real Reason There's So Much Game of Thrones Nudity|work=[[Syfy]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal Television and Streaming]]|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/snl_reveals_the_real_reas|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525122717/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/snl_reveals_the_real_reas|archive-date=May 25, 2020}}</ref>

The episode "[[The Bear and the Maiden Fair]]" in the [[Game of Thrones season 3|third season]] featured the lengthy torture and eventual [[emasculated|emasculation]] of Theon Greyjoy, which prompted criticism.<ref>{{cite news|last=Orr|first=Christopher|date=May 13, 2013|title=Game of Thrones' Worst Scene Yet?|newspaper=[[The Atlantic]]|publisher=[[Emerson Collective]]|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/|url-status=live|access-date=May 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/-i-game-of-thrones-i-worst-scene-yet/275772/|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> [[New York (magazine)|''New York'' magazine]] called the scene "[[torture porn]]".<ref>{{cite news|last=David|first=Allison P.|date=May 12, 2014|title=''Game of Thrones'' Couple of the Week: Tyrion and Shae Are Never Getting Back Together|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/05/game-of-thrones-couple-of-the-week-episode-6.html|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> According to one commentator, although the series' violence tended to serve a narrative purpose, Theon's torture in the episode was excessive as well.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davis|first=Madeleine|date=May 13, 2013|title=Game of Boners: This Is Torture Porn|newspaper=[[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]]|publisher=[[G/O Media]]|url=http://jezebel.com/game-of-boners-this-is-torture-porn-504821180|url-status=live|access-date=May 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065|archive-date=July 16, 2017}}</ref> One commentator noted that Greyjoy's emasculation was one of the few sexual assault scenes where a male was the victim.<ref name=femspec>{{cite journal |last1=Kathryn Needham |first1=Jessica |title=Visual Misogyny: An Analysis of Female Sexual Objectification in Game of Thrones |journal=[[Feminist science fiction#Femspec|Femspec]] |date=2017 |volume=17 |issue=2 |page=10 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1907748277 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |issn=1523-4002|id={{ProQuest|1907748277}}}}</ref> A scene in the fourth season's episode "[[Breaker of Chains]]", in which Jaime Lannister rapes his sister and lover Cersei in the tomb of their dead son, 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".<ref name="New York Times May 2, 2014">{{cite news|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|date=May 2, 2014|title=For 'Game of Thrones,' Rising Unease Over Rape's Recurring Role|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/arts/television/for-game-of-thrones-rising-unease-over-rapes-recurring-role.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 4, 2014|archive-url=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|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> ''Game of Thrones'' has been criticized for adding scenes of rape that were not included in the novels, such as the rape of Craster's daughters by the mutinous members of the Night's Watch.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/apr/29/game-of-thrones-racism-sexism-rape |title=Game of Thrones: too much racism and sexism – so I stopped watching |website=The Guardian |first=Danielle |last=Henderson |date=April 29, 2014 |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref>  Sonia Saraiya of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' wrote that the series's 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 for shock value".<ref>{{cite news|last=Saraiya|first=Sonia|date=April 20, 2014|title=Rape of Thrones|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|publisher=[[G/O Media]]|url=https://www.avclub.com/rape-of-thrones-1798267897|url-status=live|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.avclub.com/article/rape-thrones-203499|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref>

In the fifth season's episode "[[Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken]]", Sansa Stark is raped by Ramsay Bolton. Most reviewers and publications found the scene gratuitous and artistically unnecessary.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=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/ |archive-date=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 |access-date=June 26, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|last=Runcie|first=Charlotte|date=May 17, 2015|title=Game of Thrones: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken, season 5 episode 6, review: 'raw emotion'|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11608928/Game-of-Thrones-Unbowed-Unbent-Unbroken-season-5-episode-6-review.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=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|archive-date=May 13, 2016}}</ref><ref name="DailyBeast">{{cite news|last=Leon|first=Melissa|date=May 19, 2015|title=The Rape of Sansa Stark: 'Game of Thrones' Goes Off-Book and Enrages Its Female Fans|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|publisher=[[IAC (company)|IAC]]|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|url-status=live|access-date=May 20, 2015|archive-url=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|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.themarysue.com/we-will-no-longer-be-promoting-hbos-game-of-thrones/ |archive-date=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 |website=[[The Mary Sue]] |date=May 18, 2015 |access-date=May 20, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> and US Senator [[Claire McCaskill]] said that she would no longer watch it.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cillizza|first=Chris|date=May 19, 2015|title=Claire McCaskill is done with 'Game of Thrones' after Sunday's rape scene. She's got a point.|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|publisher=[[Nash Holdings]]|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/|url-status=live|access-date=August 9, 2017|archive-url=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/|archive-date=July 24, 2017}}</ref> The episode was the lowest rated on Rotten Tomatoes until the season eight episode "[[The Bells (Game of Thrones)|The Bells]]".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cashin|first=Rory|date=May 15, 2019|title='The Bells' Episode of Game of Thrones is the Worst Reviewed in the Show's Entire History|work=[[Joe (website)|Joe.co.uk]]|url=https://www.joe.co.uk/entertainment/the-bells-episode-game-thrones-worst-reviewed-231762|url-status=live|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523213437/https://www.joe.co.uk/entertainment/the-bells-episode-game-thrones-worst-reviewed-231762|archive-date=May 23, 2019}}</ref> As the later 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".<ref>{{cite news|last=Rosenberg|first=Alyssa|date=August 9, 2017|title=The arguments about women and power in 'Game of Thrones' have never been more unsettling|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|publisher=[[Nash Holdings]]|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/|url-status=live|access-date=August 9, 2017|archive-url=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/|archive-date=August 9, 2017}}</ref> Much of the criticism after the series finale was centered around the handling of the female character storylines.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Allaire|first=Christian|date=May 20, 2019|title=Why the Women of Game of Thrones Deserved Better|work=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/game-of-thrones-finale-women-characters-daenerys-cersei-arya-sansa|url-status=live|access-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528021425/https://www.vogue.com/article/game-of-thrones-finale-women-characters-daenerys-cersei-arya-sansa|archive-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref> One commentator cited the [[male gaze]] as one of main sources of the "romanticized female rape" and general nudity throughout the series.<ref name=femspec /> Another commentator stated the use of both sex and violence helps perpetuate [[misogyny]] within the ''Game of Thrones'' universe.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Borowska-Szerszun |first1=Sylwia |title=Representation of Rape in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders |journal=[[Extrapolation (journal)|Extrapolation]] |date=April 2019 |volume=60 |issue=1 |pages=1–22 |doi=10.3828/extr.2019.2 |s2cid=166766551 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2222490097 |access-date=November 16, 2020 |issn=0014-5483|id={{ProQuest|2222490097}}}}</ref> Sophie Turner, who portrayed Sansa Stark, has spoken about the long-term impact she believed filming the "heavy" scenes would have on her and revealed that she developed coping mechanisms to help her through filming.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniesoteriou/sophie-turner-exhibit-trauma-symptoms-game-thrones |title=Sophie Turner Revealed She'll "Probably Exhibit Some Signs Of Trauma" In The Future After Filming "Heavy" "Game Of Thrones" Scenes As A Child Star |website=BuzzFeed News |first=Stephanie |last=Soteriou |date=May 11, 2022 |access-date=March 29, 2024}}</ref>

====Lighting====
The lighting, or lack of light, in darker scenes has been a recurring point of criticism since season six of the series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Flint|first=Hanna|date=April 29, 2019|title=This is why the lighting is so bad in 'Game of Thrones'|work=Yahoo|publisher=[[Verizon Media]]|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/lighting-bad-game-thrones-124901278.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504031831/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/lighting-bad-game-thrones-124901278.html|archive-date=May 4, 2019|quote="Every week, social media is filled with complaints about how dark the scenes looks and more importantly how it affects their ability to see the action."}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lallo|first=Michael|date=September 9, 2016|title=Will someone please turn on the lights: Why have TV dramas literally become so dark?|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|publisher=[[Nine Entertainment Co.]]|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/will-someone-please-turn-on-the-lights-why-have-tv-dramas-literally-become-so-dark-20160909-grchcu.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430032342/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/will-someone-please-turn-on-the-lights-why-have-tv-dramas-literally-become-so-dark-20160909-grchcu.html|archive-date=April 30, 2019|quote="To many fans, Game of Thrones is too dark. Not figuratively – they literally can't perceive what's happening on screen."}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sharf|first=Zack|date=April 17, 2019|title=Does 'Game of Thrones' Have an 'Ozark' Problem? Season 8 Is So Dark It's Hard to See|work=[[IndieWire]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/04/game-of-thrones-too-dark-fans-cant-see-1202059546/|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224154626/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/04/game-of-thrones-too-dark-fans-cant-see-1202059546/|archive-date=February 24, 2020|quote="Fear's jokey comment encapsulated one of the biggest fan criticisms about the "Game of Thrones" premiere: The show is so visually dark that viewers can't even see what's happening on screen. Many fans took to social media during the episode to complain about the color palette, with some wondering if it was their TV brightness setting that was the issue."}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Warner|first=Sam|date=April 16, 2019|title=Game of Thrones viewers have one big complaint about season 8, episode 1|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a27159387/game-of-thrones-viewers-complain-season-8-episode-1-too-dark/|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430032451/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a27159387/game-of-thrones-viewers-complain-season-8-episode-1-too-dark/|archive-date=April 30, 2019|quote="Yep, many complained that parts of the episode were too dark – and we don't mean just twisted dark after seeing the Night King's artistic flair."}}</ref> In 2016, ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]''{{'}}s Caitlyn Callegari listed 31 examples of scenes where the lighting caused viewers problems ranging from not being able to tell a character's hair color to being unable to see what was going on.<ref>{{cite news|last=Callegari|first=Caitlyn|date=May 29, 2016|title=31 Times 'Game of Thrones' Needed To Lighten Up, Literally|work=Bustle|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/160916-31-times-game-of-thrones-needed-to-lighten-up-literally|access-date=May 7, 2019|quote="Game of Thrones needs to turn on the lights, or else I am sending them my ophthalmologist bill. For real, GoT powers that be, it's super hard to squint for a straight hour every week because your episodes are so freakin' dark."}}</ref> Some reviewers have noted this is part of a wider trend<ref>{{cite news|last=Dessem|first=Matthew|date=June 29, 2016|title=Why TV Shows Are Darker Than They've Ever Been|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|publisher=[[The Slate Group]]|url=https://slate.com/culture/2016/06/cinematographers-from-game-of-thrones-jessica-jones-and-better-call-saul-on-why-tv-shows-are-darker-than-theyve-ever-been.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408195637/https://slate.com/culture/2016/06/cinematographers-from-game-of-thrones-jessica-jones-and-better-call-saul-on-why-tv-shows-are-darker-than-theyve-ever-been.html|archive-date=April 8, 2020|quote="Watching Game of Thrones this season, you may have asked yourself: Is something wrong with my television? Surely there is some other setting that would brighten up the inside of Bran Stark's cave, or heighten the contrast between Cersei Lannister's robes and the shadowy chambers of her prison cell. But no, that's just the way the show is supposed to look. And Game of Thrones is not alone: HBO has made a cottage industry of dimly-lit hourlong dramas."}}</ref> among shows that are made by people who have experience working primarily on films, suggesting they "haven't grasped the nuances (or lack thereof)" of television as a medium, especially the differences between watching a scene on a television screen versus watching it on the big screen in a movie theater.<ref>{{cite news|last=Burgess|first=Genevieve|date=March 19, 2016|title=Why is TV, Literally, So Dark?|work=Pajiba|url=http://www.pajiba.com/think_pieces/why-is-tv-literally-so-dark.php|access-date=May 7, 2019|quote="A lot of these shows are also made by people who have experience working primarily on films, and film aesthetic has always been visually darker than TV. Because films are meant to be watched on very large screens in very dark rooms, while most TV is watched on smaller screens in brightly lit rooms. It seems the people making these shows aren't evaluating the lighting for the proper venue."}}</ref>

In a 2017 interview, [[Robert McLachlan (cinematographer)|Robert McLachlan]], a cinematographer working on the show, explained the lack of lighting as an artistic choice saying "we're trying to be as naturalistic as possible".<ref>{{cite news|last=Paine|first=Hannah|date=April 29, 2019|title=Game of Thrones fans fume over 'too dark' episode|work=[[News.com.au]]|publisher=[[News Corp Australia]]|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-fans-fume-over-too-dark-episode/news-story/755afb0a00f0d59c7100028debc4737a|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429055910/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-fans-fume-over-too-dark-episode/news-story/755afb0a00f0d59c7100028debc4737a|archive-date=April 29, 2019|quote="It's not the first time Game of Thrones has come under fire for its shots being too dark, however. According to one of the show's cinematographers, it's a very deliberate choice."}}</ref> The criticism reached a high point during "[[The Long Night (Game of Thrones)|The Long Night]]", the third episode of [[Game of Thrones season 8|season eight]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones battle was the biggest ever, but way too dark to see|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-battle-is-biggest-ever-but-it-was-way-too-dark/|last=Serrels|first=Mark|date=April 28, 2019|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515012200/https://www.cnet.com/news/game-of-thrones-battle-is-biggest-ever-but-it-was-way-too-dark/|archive-date=May 15, 2020|access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title='Game of Thrones' fans complain about 'too dark' lighting in Battle of Winterfell|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/game-of-thrones-too-dark-lighting-battle-of-winterfell|last=Lam|first=Katherine|date=April 29, 2019|work=[[Fox News]]|publisher=[[Fox Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520075936/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/game-of-thrones-too-dark-lighting-battle-of-winterfell|archive-date=May 20, 2020|access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref> Barely minutes into the episode, viewers took to social media sites such as Twitter to express their discontent over the fact that they were having severe difficulties watching the battle and trying to figure out what was going on.<ref>{{cite web|title='Game of Thrones' Fans Complain About Battle of Winterfell's Dark Cinematography|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/game-of-thrones-dark-battle-of-winterfell-cinematography-1203199892/|last=Nyren|first=Erin|date=April 28, 2019|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929231457/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/game-of-thrones-dark-battle-of-winterfell-cinematography-1203199892/|archive-date=September 29, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dessem|first=Matthew|date=April 29, 2019|title=Why You Couldn't See a Damn Thing on This Week's Game of Thrones|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|publisher=[[The Slate Group]]|url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/04/game-of-thrones-long-night-dark-cinematography-twitter-complaints.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414183511/https://slate.com/culture/2019/04/game-of-thrones-long-night-dark-cinematography-twitter-complaints.html|archive-date=April 14, 2020|quote="On Sunday night, Twitter was full of viewers complaining about the show's cinematography, which has often been dark, but never quite so consistently stygian."}}</ref>

===Cultural influence===
Although ''Game of Thrones'' was initially dismissed by some critics,<ref name="The Guardian March 22, 2014"/> its success has been credited with an increase in the fantasy genre's popularity.<ref>{{Cite news|date=May 13, 2019|title=Game of Thrones guide: What to watch now that it's all over|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-game-of-thrones-guide-catch-up-on-season-8-episode-reviews/|access-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028161734/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/article-game-of-thrones-guide-catch-up-on-season-8-episode-reviews/|archive-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> The series's popularity led to 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.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Yu|first=Charles|date=October 15, 2018|title=George R. R. Martin, Fantasy's Reigning King|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/t-magazine/george-rr-martin-got-interview.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512202242/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/t-magazine/george-rr-martin-got-interview.html|archive-date=May 12, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Tim |date=April 5, 2011 |title='Game of Thrones' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/game-thrones-174965/ |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref> On the eve of the second season's premiere, [[CNN]] said, "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 [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film trilogy]] (2001–2003) and the [[Harry Potter (film series)|''Harry Potter'' films]] (2001–2011) establishing fantasy as a mass-market genre; they are "[[gateway drugs]] to fantasy fan culture".<ref>{{cite news|last=Williams|first=Joel|date=March 30, 2012|title=Mainstream finally believes fantasy fans|work=[[CNN]]|publisher=[[WarnerMedia]]|url=http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/|url-status=live|access-date=April 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927162257/http://geekout.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/30/mainstream-finally-believes-fantasy-fans/|archive-date=September 27, 2016}}</ref> The show's success led to the commissioning of several fantasy television series, including ''[[The Wheel of Time (TV series)|The Wheel of Time]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'' by [[Amazon Studios]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Amazon's Lord of the Rings Series: What Is the Second Age?|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/lord-of-the-rings-amazon-maps.html|last=Gilkeson|first=Austin|date=March 11, 2019|work=[[New York (magazine)#Digital expansion and destination sites|Vulture]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301164359/https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/lord-of-the-rings-amazon-maps.html|archive-date=March 1, 2020|access-date=April 10, 2019}}</ref> According to [[Neil Gaiman]], whose novels ''[[Good Omens (TV series)|Good Omens]]'' and ''[[American Gods (TV series)|American Gods]]'' were adapted for television, ''Game of Thrones'' helped to change attitudes towards fantasy on television, but mainly it made big budgets for fantasy series more acceptable.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Sarah|date=April 1, 2019|title=What's the next Game of Thrones? All the contenders for fantasy TV's crown|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/01/whats-the-next-game-of-thrones-all-the-contenders-for-fantasy-tvs-crown|url-status=live|access-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318102418/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/apr/01/whats-the-next-game-of-thrones-all-the-contenders-for-fantasy-tvs-crown|archive-date=March 18, 2020}}</ref>

The success of the genre has been 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" /> According to ''[[The Daily Beast]]'', ''Game of Thrones'' was a favorite of [[sitcom]] writers and the series has been referred to in other television series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lacob|first=Jace|date=September 21, 2012|title='Game of Thrones': 'Modern Family,' 'Parks and Rec' Writers on Why They Love the HBO Drama|newspaper=[[The Daily Beast]]|publisher=[[IAC (company)|IAC]]|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|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=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|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> With other fantasy series, it has been cited as a reason for an increase in the purchase (and abandonment) of [[huskies]] and other wolf-like dogs.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=March 10, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Alexander Lebedev]]|date=December 26, 2012 |location=London |url-status=live}}</ref>

''Game of Thrones'' has added to the popular vocabulary. A first-season scene in which Petyr Baelish explains his motives (or background) while prostitutes have sex in the background gave rise to the word "sexposition" for providing [[exposition (literary technique)|exposition]] with sex and nudity.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hann|first=Michael|date=March 11, 2012|title=How 'sexposition' fleshes out the story|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama?|url-status=live|access-date=March 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328073923/http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2012/mar/11/sexposition-story-tv-drama|archive-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref> Dothraki, the series's 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://entertainment.time.com/2012/09/25/and-the-top-television-words-of-the-year-are/ |archive-date=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/ |access-date=September 27, 2012 |newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |publisher=Time USA, LLC|date=September 25, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The series and its characters have also been referenced by politicians and academics to commentate on modern-day [[geopolitics]], [[economic inequality]], and [[climate change]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Judy |title=Winter is here: How 'Game of Thrones' took over American politics |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/444260-winter-is-here-how-game-of-thrones-took-over-american-politics |access-date=October 21, 2020 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=May 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526230220/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/444260-winter-is-here-how-game-of-thrones-took-over-american-politics |archive-date=May 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Chau |first1=Jonathan |last2=Vanderwees |first2=Chris |title=Introduction—High Fantasy, Political Dreams, and the Mainstream: Reflections on Game of Thrones |journal=[[Canadian Review of American Studies]] |date=March 25, 2019 |volume=49 |issue=1 |pages=1–6 |doi=10.3138/cras.49.1.001 |s2cid=195518457|issn=0007-7720 |quote=Nevertheless, building from Martin's own association of Joffrey with Trump, it may not be difficult to see the fictive Wall that defends the northern borders of the Seven Kingdoms as a model for the proposed wall that will purportedly defend the southern borders of the United States of America from Mexico.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Milkoreit |first1=Manjana |title=Pop-cultural Mobilization: Deploying Game of Thrones to Shift US Climate Change Politics |journal=[[International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society]] |date=March 2019 |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=61–82 |doi=10.1007/s10767-017-9273-7 |s2cid=148611193 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2171135503 |issn=0891-4486|id={{ProQuest|2171135503}}}}</ref>

In 2019, singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]] told ''Entertainment Weekly'' that several songs on her 2017 album ''[[Reputation (Taylor Swift album)|Reputation]]'' were inspired by ''Game of Thrones'' characters and plots.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Suskind|first=Alex|date=May 9, 2019|title=Taylor Swift reveals how ''Game of Thrones'' (and Arya's kill list) inspired ''reputation''|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/music/2019/05/09/taylor-swift-game-of-thrones-reputation/|url-status=live|access-date=May 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509205342/https://ew.com/music/2019/05/09/taylor-swift-game-of-thrones-reputation/|archive-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref> "[[Khaleesi (given name)|Khaleesi]]" became more popular as a name for baby girls in the United States. In the novels and the TV series, "khaleesi" is not a name, but the title of the wife of a "khal" (warlord) in the Dothraki language, held by Daenerys Targaryen.<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Neil|first=Lauren|date=April 11, 2014|title=There are now more babies named 'Khaleesi' than 'Betsy' or 'Nadine' in the U.S.|work=[[CBC News]]|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|url=http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/04/there-are-now-more-babies-named-khaleesi-than-betsy-or-nadine-in-the-us.html|url-status=live|access-date=April 27, 2016|archive-url=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|archive-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref> Other names from characters in the series, like [[Daenerys (given name)|Daenerys]], also became popular baby names.<ref>{{cite news|last=Safronova|first=Valeriya|title=Hello, Arya! 'Game of Thrones' Baby Names Are for Girls|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=April 29, 2019|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/style/game-of-thrones-baby-names.html|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| last=Murphy|first=Joe|title=Name of Thrones: Parents are naming their kids after favorite 'Game of Thrones' characters|work=NBC News|date=May 10, 2019|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/lil-joffrey-game-thrones-baby-names-n1004541|access-date=June 5, 2022}}</ref>

''Game of Thrones'' has also become a subject of both academic and scientific inquiry.<ref name="pmid27065510">{{cite journal |vauthors=Scharl A, Hubmann-Haidvogel A, Jones A, Fischl D, Kamolov R, Weichselbraun A, Rafelsberger W |title=Analyzing the public discourse on works of fiction – Detection and visualization of emotion in online coverage about HBO's Game of Thrones |journal=[[Information Processing and Management]] |year=2016 |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=129–138 |doi=10.1016/j.ipm.2015.02.003 |pmid=27065510 |pmc=4804387}}</ref><ref name="pmid27532353">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lipoff JB |title=Greyscale-A Mystery Dermatologic Disease on HBO's Game of Thrones |journal=[[JAMA Dermatology]] |year=2016 |volume=152 |issue=8 |pages=904 |doi=10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.5793 |pmid=27532353}}</ref> In 2016, researchers published a paper analyzing emotional sentiment in online public discourse associated with the unfolding storyline during the fourth season.<ref name="pmid27065510" /> The [[Mathematical Association of America]] published a journal in 2016 that applied the multidisciplinary field of [[network science]] to create a [[social network]] for the show's characters and their relationships.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Beveridge|first1=Andrew|last2=Shan|first2=Jie|date=April 2016|title=Network of Thrones|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.4169/mathhorizons.23.4.18|journal=[[Math Horizons]]|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|volume=23|issue=4|pages=18–22|doi=10.4169/mathhorizons.23.4.18|jstor=10.4169/mathhorizons.23.4.18|s2cid=123727484|access-date=November 3, 2020|via=[[JSTOR]]}}</ref> The analysis purported to be able to distinguish discussions about an episode's storyline from media critiques or assessments of a specific actor's performance. In 2018, Australian scientists conducted a [[survival analysis]] and examined the mortality among 330 important characters during the first seven seasons of ''Game of Thrones''.<ref name="Epidemiology" /> In 2019, the [[Australian Red Cross]] conducted a study using [[international humanitarian law]] to determine which of the ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} characters had committed the most [[war crime]]s during the first seven seasons of the show.<ref>{{cite news|last=Simkins|first=J.D.|date=April 11, 2019|title=The worst war criminals in 'Game of Thrones' ranked|work=[[Sightline Media Group|Military Times]]|publisher=[[Sightline Media Group]]|url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2019/04/11/the-worst-war-criminals-in-game-of-thrones-ranked/|url-status=live|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417171000/https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2019/04/11/the-worst-war-criminals-in-game-of-thrones-ranked/|archive-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Who is Game of Thrones worst war criminal? |url=https://www.redcross.org.au/news-and-media/news/game-of-thrones |access-date=October 21, 2020 |publisher=[[Australian Red Cross]] |language=EN-AU}}</ref>

Animals have also been named after the show. Three species of [[Kinorhyncha|mud dragons]]; Echinoderes daenerysae, Echinoderes rhaegal and Echinoderes drogoni,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sciencenordic.com/animals--plants-denmark-videnskabdk/meet-the-mud-dragon-the-tiny-animal-that-lives-on-the-beach/1455425 |title=Meet the mud dragon: The tiny animal that lives on the beach |website=ScienceNordic |first=Lise |last=Brix |date=April 21, 2018 |access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> a [[Bombyliidae|bee fly]]; Paramonovius nightking,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/01/australia/game-of-thrones-fly-trnd/index.html |title=New species of bee fly named after 'Game of Thrones' character |website=CNN |first=Lauren |last=M. Johnson |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> three species of [[Scarabaeidae|scarab beetles]]; Gymnetis drogoni, Gymnetis rhaegali and Gymnetis viserioni,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-new-beetle-species-are-named-after-game-thrones-180971141/ |title=These New Beetle Species Are Named After the 'Game of Thrones' Dragons |website=Smithsonian |first=Meilan |last=Solly |date=December 31, 2018 |access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref> and a [[brittle star]], Ophiohamus georgemartini, due to its sharp thorns resembling those depicted on the ''Game of Thrones'' crown.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/gallery/scary-deep-sea-creatures |title=Dredge up your nightmares with these scary deep-sea creatures from the Australian Abyss |magazine=Wired |first=Alexandra |last=Simon-Lewis |date=June 19, 2017 |access-date=November 26, 2021}}</ref>

''Game of Thrones'' episode recap articles were a significant source of web traffic for many top news sites, including ''[[The Atlantic]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'' and [[NPR]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Kevin |date=2024-06-21 |title=What Game of Thrones did to the media |url=https://www.theverge.com/24181763/game-of-thrones-journalism-media-recaps |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

====Fandom====
{{main|A Song of Ice and Fire fandom|l1=''A Song of Ice and Fire'' fandom}}
[[File:The Westeros Wing.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|alt=President Obama sits on a digitally-added Iron Throne in the Oval Office of the White House, surrounded by other people|In this [[manipulated image]] published by the [[White House]] in 2014, then US 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)#Digital expansion and destination sites|Vulture]]'' ranked the series's fans as the most devoted in popular culture, more so than those of [[Lady Gaga]], [[Justin Bieber]], ''[[Harry Potter]]'' or ''[[Star Wars]]''.<ref name="Vulture October 15, 2012">{{cite news|last1=Adalian|first1=Josef|last2=Bernardin|first2=Marc|last3=Buchanan|first3=Kyle|last4=Chianca|first4=Pete|last5=Dobbins|first5=Amanda|last6=David Fox|first6=Jesse|last7=Lyons|first7=Margaret|last8=Martin|first8=Denise|last9=Vineyard|first9=Jennifer|last10=Ruediger|first10=Ross|date=October 15, 2012|title=The 25 Most Devoted Fan Bases|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html|url-status=live|access-date=October 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans.html|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> Fans include political leaders such as former US president [[Barack Obama]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Shear|first=Michael|date=December 29, 2013|title=Obama's TV Picks|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html|url-status=live|access-date=December 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/us/obamas-tv-picks-anything-edgy-with-hints-of-reality.html|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ghahremani|first=Tanya|date=December 30, 2013|title=President Obama 'Really Likes' Game of Thrones, In Case You Were Wondering|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|publisher=[[Verizon Communications]]/[[Hearst Communications]]|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones|url-status=live|access-date=December 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105010138/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/12/obama-favorite-tv-shows-game-of-thrones|archive-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref> former British prime minister [[David Cameron]],<ref>{{cite web|title=David Cameron: 'I'm a Game of Thrones fan'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/10888519/David-Cameron-Im-a-Game-of-Thrones-fan.html|last=Campbell|first=Scott|date=June 10, 2014|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507083112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/10888519/David-Cameron-Im-a-Game-of-Thrones-fan.html|archive-date=May 7, 2019|access-date=April 10, 2015}}</ref> former Australian prime minister [[Julia Gillard]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Lenore|date=May 30, 2013|title=Julia Gillard reveals Game of Thrones addiction|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones|url-status=live|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716014754/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/26/julia-gillard-game-of-thrones|archive-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref> and Dutch foreign minister [[Frans Timmermans]], who framed European politics using quotes from Martin's novels in a 2013 speech.<ref>{{cite news|last=Luoma|first=Sarah|date=May 31, 2013|title=Dutch foreign minister uses 'Game of Thrones' as political analogy|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|url-status=live|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161217132623/http://www.digitalspy.com/fun/game-of-thrones/news/a486020/dutch-foreign-minister-uses-game-of-thrones-as-political-analogy/|archive-date=December 17, 2016}}</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|last=Templeton|first=Molly|date=June 16, 2013|title=The best (and the weirdest) of "Game of Thrones" fanfiction|newspaper=[[Salon (magazine)|Salon]]|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/|url-status=live|access-date=July 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903190051/http://www.salon.com/2013/06/16/the_best_and_the_weirdest_of_game_of_thrones_fanfiction/|archive-date=September 3, 2016}}</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|last=de Castella|first=Tom|date=March 22, 2013|title=Game of Thrones: Why does it inspire such devotion among fans?|newspaper=[[BBC News Magazine]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915|url-status=live|access-date=March 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21856915|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref> The previous year, "[[Arya (name)|Arya]]" was the fastest-rising girl's name in the US after it had jumped in popularity from 711th to 413th place.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Carlson|first=Adam|date=May 10, 2013|title=Game of Thrones baby names on the march|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019200832/http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/05/10/arya-game-of-thrones-baby-names/|archive-date=October 19, 2014}}</ref>

{{As of|2013}}, about 58 percent of series viewers were male and 42 percent female, and the average male viewer was 41 years old.<ref name="Compliment"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Watercutter|first=Angela|date=June 3, 2013|title=Yes, Women Really Do Like Game of Thrones (We Have Proof)|work=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones/|url-status=live|access-date=June 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321142339/http://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones|archive-date=March 21, 2014}}</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's 2.9{{nbsp}}million [[Facebook]] fans talked online about the series in 2012, compared to 1.8{{nbsp}}percent of the over ten million fans of ''[[True Blood]]'' (HBO's other fantasy series).<ref>{{cite news|last=Kellie|first=Helen|date=October 26, 2012|title=Social is coming of age in the marketing mix – a TV perspective|newspaper=Marketing|publisher=[[Jason Binn|Niche Media]]|url=http://www.marketingmag.com.au/blogs/social-is-coming-of-age-in-the-marketing-mix-a-tv-perspective-25975/|url-status=live|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=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/|archive-date=December 6, 2014}}</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|last1=Quah|first1=Nicholas|last2=Alter|first2=Rebecca|date=April 15, 2019|title=In the Game of Thrones, These Podcasts Play to Win|newspaper=[[New York (magazine)#Digital expansion and destination sites|Vulture]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-game-of-thrones-podcasts.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420200109/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-game-of-thrones-podcasts.html|archive-date=April 20, 2020}}</ref>

===Awards===
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones|l1=List of awards and nominations received by ''Game of Thrones''}}

''Game of Thrones'' has won numerous awards throughout its run, including 59 Emmy Awards, eight [[Screen Actors Guild Award]]s and a [[Peabody Award]]. It holds the record for total Emmy Award wins for a scripted television series (surpassing the record of 37 wins held by ''[[Frasier]]'' since [[56th Primetime Emmy Awards|2004]]) and for most Emmy nominations for a drama series, with 161.<ref name="emmys.com"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Dockterman|first=Eliana|date=September 18, 2016|title=Game of Thrones Now Has the Most Emmy Wins Ever|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/|url-status=live|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919042453/http://time.com/4498870/emmys-2016-game-of-thrones-most-wins/|archive-date=September 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Complete List of Recipients of the 71st Annual Peabody Awards|url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php|date=April 4, 2012|website=[[Peabody Award]]s|publisher=[[Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601004713/http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php|archive-date=June 1, 2012|access-date=November 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2019 Emmy Nominayion Snubs & Surprises: Game of Thrones Make History, Schitt's Creek Pops|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/2019-emmy-nomination-snubs-surprises-game-of-thrones-schitts-creek-netflix/|last=Day|first=Debbie|date=July 16, 2019|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205111623/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/2019-emmy-nomination-snubs-surprises-game-of-thrones-schitts-creek-netflix/|archive-date=December 5, 2019|access-date=July 17, 2019}}</ref> In 2019, the show's final season established a new record for most Emmy nominations received in a year with 32, breaking the 25-year-long record of 26 nominations established by ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' in 1994.<ref name="variety072019">{{cite news|last1=Stedman|first1=Alex|date=July 16, 2019|title='Game of Thrones' Breaks Emmys Record for Most Nominations in a Single Season|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-nominations-record-1203268760/|access-date=May 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405154706/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-nominations-record-1203268760/|archive-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> In 2013, the [[Writers Guild of America]] listed ''Game of Thrones'' as the 40th best written series in television history.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 2, 2013|title='101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607063617/http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/|archive-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> Also in 2013, at the Media Access Awards, {{nowrap|George R. R. Martin}} accepted the Visionary Award from the Writers With Disabilities committee of the Writers Guild of America, for its positive portrayal of character with disabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Game of Thrones' Wins Disability Awareness Award |url=http://www.iftn.ie/news/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4286580&tpl=archnews&force=1 |website=Irish Film & Television Network |first=Kevin |last=Cronin |date=November 1, 2013 |access-date=May 28, 2022}}</ref> In 2015, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' placed it at number four on their best TV shows ever list,<ref>{{cite news|title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105223813/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/x-files-hollywoods-100-favorite-821363|archive-date=November 5, 2016}}</ref> while in 2016 the series was placed seventh on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'s}} "The 50 best TV shows ever".<ref>{{cite news|title=The 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|url=https://empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104130445/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/|archive-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> The same year, ''Rolling Stone'' named it the twelfth "greatest TV Show of all time".<ref>{{cite news|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|date=September 21, 2016|title=100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-w439520/late-night-with-david-letterman-w439627|url-status=live|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=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|archive-date=November 5, 2016}}</ref> In 2023, ''Variety'' ranked ''Game of Thrones'' #21 on its list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/game-of-thrones-4/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|website=Variety|date=December 20, 2023|access-date=December 24, 2023}}</ref>

===Viewership===
''Game of Thrones'' was considered a ratings success for HBO throughout all eight seasons.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hersko |first1=Tyler |title=HBO Faces Hard Questions in Post-'Game of Thrones' Streaming Market |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/06/hbo-post-game-of-thrones-1202147307/ |access-date=July 6, 2020 |work=[[IndieWire]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=June 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616093638/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/06/hbo-post-game-of-thrones-1202147307/ |archive-date=June 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Katz |first1=Brandon |title=It's Official: The 'Game of Thrones' Series Finale Has Set a New HBO Ratings Record |url=https://observer.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-finale-ratings-hbo-viewership/ |access-date=July 6, 2020 |work=[[Observer Media]] |date=May 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925210355/https://observer.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-finale-ratings-hbo-viewership/ |archive-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> The show premiere was watched by 2.2{{nbsp}}million, and the first season averaged 2.5{{nbsp}}million viewers per episode.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=June|date=March 29, 2012|title=How Much Gold Is Game of Thrones Worth|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|publisher=[[The Slate Group]]|url=https://slate.com/culture/2012/03/game-of-thrones-how-hbo-and-showtime-make-money-despite-low-ratings.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-url=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|archive-date=May 8, 2016}}</ref> For its second season, the series had an average gross audience of 11.6{{nbsp}}million viewers.<ref>{{cite press release |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 |access-date=August 23, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716061155/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-prequels-are-we-getting-all-four-1020065 |archive-date=July 16, 2017}}</ref> The third season was seen by 14.2{{nbsp}}million viewers, making ''Game of Thrones'' the second-most-viewed HBO series (after ''The Sopranos'').<ref>{{cite news|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=June 8, 2013|title=For HBO, Game of Thrones Ratings Second Only to The Sopranos|newspaper=[[Vulture.com|Vulture]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html|url-status=live|access-date=June 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124632/http://www.vulture.com/2013/06/game-of-thrones-huge-ratings-chart.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> HBO said that ''Game of Thrones''{{'}} average gross audience of 18.4{{nbsp}}million viewers (later adjusted to 18.6{{nbsp}}million) had passed ''The Sopranos'' for the viewership record.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fienberg|first=Daniel|date=June 5, 2014|title='Game of Thrones' has become more popular than 'The Sopranos' sorta kinda|work=[[HitFix]]|publisher=[[Uproxx#Uproxx Media Group|Uproxx Media Group]]|url=http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/game-of-thrones-has-become-more-popular-than-the-sopranos-sorta-kinda|url-status=live|access-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=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|archive-date=June 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sinha-Roy|first=Piya|date=June 16, 2014|title='Game of Thrones' draws 7.1 million viewers for blood-filled finale|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616|url-status=live|access-date=July 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020021930/https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/06/16/us-television-gameofthrones-idUSKBN0ER2N520140616|archive-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref> The season five episode "[[The House of Black and White]]" was simulcasted in 173 countries, becoming the "largest TV drama telecast" according to ''Guinness World Records''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wyatt|first=Daisy|date=September 1, 2015|title=Game of Thrones breaks Guinness World Record for largest TV drama simulcast|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Alexander Lebedev]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-largest-tv-drama-simulcast-maisie-williams-accepts-10480701.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625134330/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-largest-tv-drama-simulcast-maisie-williams-accepts-10480701.html|archive-date=June 25, 2017}}</ref> 

By the sixth season the average per-episode gross viewing figure had increased to over 25{{nbsp}}million, with nearly 40 percent of viewers watching on HBO digital platforms.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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]]|publisher=[[Alexander Lebedev]] |date=July 19, 2016 |access-date=July 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}</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|last1=Katz|first1=Josh|date=December 27, 2016|title='Duck Dynasty' vs. 'Modern Family': 50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html|url-status=live|access-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105091502/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html|archive-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> By season seven, the average viewer numbers had grown to 32.8{{nbsp}}million per episode across all platforms.<ref>{{cite news|last=Koblin|first=John|date=August 28, 2017|title='Game of Thrones' Finale Sets Ratings Record|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/arts/television/game-of-thrones-finale-sets-ratings-record.html|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520075958/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/arts/television/game-of-thrones-finale-sets-ratings-record.html|archive-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=April 15, 2019|title='Game of Thrones' Season 8 Debut Breaks HBO Rating Records|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://time.com/5571311/game-of-thrones-season-debut-hbo-ratings/|url-status=dead|access-date=April 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415235922/https://time.com/5571311/game-of-thrones-season-debut-hbo-ratings/|archive-date=April 15, 2019}}</ref> The series finale was viewed by 19.3{{Nbsp}}million people across HBO{{'s}} platforms, becoming the network's most watched episode.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=May 20, 2019|title='Game of Thrones' Finale Sets New Series High With Staggering 19.3 Million Viewers|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/ratings/game-of-thrones-series-finale-draws-19-3-million-viewers-sets-new-series-high-1203220928/|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520213018/https://variety.com/2019/tv/ratings/game-of-thrones-series-finale-draws-19-3-million-viewers-sets-new-series-high-1203220928/|archive-date=May 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=May 20, 2019|title=The Game of Thrones finale was the most watched HBO show of all time|work=[[The Verge]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/20/18633136/game-of-thrones-got-season-8-finale-hbo-most-watched-show-all-time-viewership-numbers-live|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405160128/https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/20/18633136/game-of-thrones-got-season-8-finale-hbo-most-watched-show-all-time-viewership-numbers-live|archive-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> The [[Hammocking|lead-out show]] also benefited from the finale's record viewership.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=May 20, 2019|title='Game of Thrones' Series Finale Sets All-Time HBO Ratings Record|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-series-finale-sets-all-time-hbo-ratings-record-1212269|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523143710/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-series-finale-sets-all-time-hbo-ratings-record-1212269|archive-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> 

''Game of Thrones'' also set viewership records outside the United States on pay-television channels in the United Kingdom (with a 2016 average audience of more than five million on all platforms)<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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 |access-date=July 6, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> and Australia (with a cumulative average audience of 1.2{{nbsp}}million).<ref>{{cite news|last=Idato|first=Michael|date=June 29, 2016|title=Game of Thrones season six finale sets Australian audience record for Foxtel|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|publisher=[[Nine Entertainment Co.]]|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-season-six-finale-sets-australian-audience-record-for-foxtel-20160629-gpu4kj.html|url-status=live|access-date=July 6, 2016|archive-url=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|archive-date=July 2, 2016}}</ref> Video streaming research company Parrot Analytics stated that after the US, the season eight premiere demand was "particularly strong in the United Kingdom and France".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Katz|first=Brandon|date=May 3, 2019|title=The 'Game of Thrones' Season 8 Premiere Just Set a Guinness World Record|work=[[Observer Media]]|url=https://observer.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-tv-ratings-guiness-world-record-hbo/|url-status=live|access-date=May 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925163956/https://observer.com/2019/05/game-of-thrones-tv-ratings-guiness-world-record-hbo/|archive-date=September 25, 2019}}</ref> [[Nielsen Media Research]] noted the show was popular among 18 to 49 [[key demographic]] with strong female viewership for a fantasy series.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Welch|first=Alex|date=May 21, 2019|title=Sunday cable ratings: 'Game of Thrones' series finale sets new records|work=[[TV by the Numbers]]|publisher=[[Nexstar Media Group]]|url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-may-19-2019/|url-status=dead|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303163401/https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/sunday-cable-ratings-may-19-2019/|archive-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Watercutter|first=Angela|date=June 3, 2013|title=Yes, Women Really Do Like Game of Thrones (We Have Proof)|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones/|url-status=live|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718221628/https://www.wired.com/2013/06/women-game-of-thrones/|archive-date=July 18, 2019}}</ref> The show also benefited from [[time shifting]] viewership. Between season one and season seven, 7-day viewers, the number of both [[Digital video recorder|DVR]] and [[video on demand]] views during the week after the episode broadcast, grew from 3.3{{Nbsp}}million to 13.7{{Nbsp}}million.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Maglio|first1=Tony|last2=Maas|first2=Jennifer|date=April 12, 2019|title=Inside the Mountain-Size 'Game of Thrones' Ratings Growth From Seasons 1–7|work=[[TheWrap]]|url=https://www.thewrap.com/game-of-thrones-ratings-viewers-growth-hbo-got-season-8/|url-status=live|access-date=July 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218042058/https://www.thewrap.com/game-of-thrones-ratings-viewers-growth-hbo-got-season-8/|archive-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref> Following the show finale, commentators said many viewers might cancel their premium television and streaming subscriptions.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Keshner|first=Andrew|date=May 20, 2019|title=After the finale, 'Game of Thrones' fans could give HBO a rude awakening|work=[[MarketWatch]]|publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]]|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/game-of-thrones-fans-could-give-hbo-a-rude-awakening-on-monday-morning-2019-05-20|url-status=live|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609071814/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/game-of-thrones-fans-could-give-hbo-a-rude-awakening-on-monday-morning-2019-05-20|archive-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref> HBO parent company [[WarnerMedia]] reported that subscription revenue declined only 0.9 percent between April and June 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=July 24, 2019|title=WarnerMedia Drives AT&T Growth in Q2, as HBO and DirecTV Lose Subscribers|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/warnermedia-att-q2-2019-earnings-hbo-directv-lose-subscribers-1203277757/|url-status=live|access-date=July 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407001003/https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/warnermedia-att-q2-2019-earnings-hbo-directv-lose-subscribers-1203277757/|archive-date=April 7, 2020}}</ref><section begin="ratings" />{{Television ratings graph
| title       = Game of Thrones
| country     = US
| color1      = #295354
| color2      = #D09916
| color3      = #54575A
| color4      = #222222
| color5      = #68411C
| color6      = #31485C
| color7      = #091411 
| color8      = #3D424A 
| average     = y
| bar_width   = 7
| x_intervals = 5
| y_intervals = 2
| refs        = <ref>For the first season (excluding the average ratings), see {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726190516/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/1/game-of-thrones-ratings-season-one/|archive-date=July 26, 2017|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/1/game-of-thrones-ratings-season-one/|title=Updated: 'Game of Thrones' Ratings: Season One|publisher=[[TV by the Numbers]]|date=June 19, 2011|access-date=July 26, 2017|url-status=dead}}
----
For the second season and the average ratings of the first season, see {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-two-ratings-22729/|archive-date=September 1, 2016|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-two-ratings-22729/|title=Game of Thrones: Season Two Ratings|work=TV Series Finale|date=June 11, 2012|access-date=April 18, 2016|url-status=live}}
----
For the third season, see {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-three-ratings-27711/|archive-date=September 1, 2016|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-three-ratings-27711/|title=Game of Thrones: Season Three Ratings|work=TV Series Finale|date=June 12, 2013|access-date=April 18, 2016|url-status=live}}
----
For the fourth season, see {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-four-ratings-32088/|archive-date=September 1, 2016|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-four-ratings-32088/|title=Game of Thrones: Season Four Ratings|work=TV Series Finale|date=June 18, 2014|access-date=April 18, 2016|url-status=live}}
----
For the fifth season, see {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-five-ratings-36234/|archive-date=September 1, 2016|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-five-ratings-36234/|title=Game of Thrones: Season Five Ratings|work=TV Series Finale|date=June 16, 2015|access-date=April 18, 2016|url-status=live}}
----
For the sixth season, see {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-thrones-season-six-ratings/|archive-date=September 1, 2016|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-thrones-season-six-ratings/|title=Game of Thrones: Season Six Ratings|work=TV Series Finale|date=June 28, 2016|access-date=April 24, 2016|url-status=live}}
----
For the seventh season, see {{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-seven-ratings/|title=Game of Thrones: Season Seven Ratings|work=TV Series Finale|date=August 29, 2017|access-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916220717/https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-seven-ratings/|archive-date=September 16, 2017}}
----
For the eighth season, see {{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/game-of-thrones-season-eight-ratings/|title=Game of Thrones: Season Eight Ratings|work=TV Series Finale|date=April 16, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref>
|-
<!-- S01E01 -->| 2.22
<!-- S01E02 -->| 2.20
<!-- S01E03 -->| 2.44
<!-- S01E04 -->| 2.45
<!-- S01E05 -->| 2.58
<!-- S01E06 -->| 2.44
<!-- S01E07 -->| 2.40
<!-- S01E08 -->| 2.72
<!-- S01E09 -->| 2.66
<!-- S01E10 -->| 3.04
<!-- S01_AV -->| 2.52
|-
<!-- S02E01 -->| 3.86
<!-- S02E02 -->| 3.76
<!-- S02E03 -->| 3.77
<!-- S02E04 -->| 3.65
<!-- S02E05 -->| 3.90
<!-- S02E06 -->| 3.88
<!-- S02E07 -->| 3.69
<!-- S02E08 -->| 3.86
<!-- S02E09 -->| 3.38
<!-- S02E10 -->| 4.20
<!-- S02_AV -->| 3.80
|-
<!-- S03E01 -->| 4.37
<!-- S03E02 -->| 4.27
<!-- S03E03 -->| 4.72
<!-- S03E04 -->| 4.87
<!-- S03E05 -->| 5.35
<!-- S03E06 -->| 5.50
<!-- S03E07 -->| 4.84
<!-- S03E08 -->| 5.13
<!-- S03E09 -->| 5.22
<!-- S03E10 -->| 5.39
<!-- S03_AV -->| 4.97
|-
<!-- S04E01 -->| 6.64
<!-- S04E02 -->| 6.31
<!-- S04E03 -->| 6.59
<!-- S04E04 -->| 6.95
<!-- S04E05 -->| 7.16
<!-- S04E06 -->| 6.40
<!-- S04E07 -->| 7.20
<!-- S04E08 -->| 7.17
<!-- S04E09 -->| 6.95
<!-- S04E10 -->| 7.09
<!-- S04_AV -->| 6.84
|-
<!-- S05E01 -->| 8.00
<!-- S05E02 -->| 6.81
<!-- S05E03 -->| 6.71
<!-- S05E04 -->| 6.82
<!-- S05E05 -->| 6.56
<!-- S05E06 -->| 6.24
<!-- S05E07 -->| 5.40
<!-- S05E08 -->| 7.01
<!-- S05E09 -->| 7.14
<!-- S05E10 -->| 8.11
<!-- S05_AV -->| 6.88
|-
<!-- S06E01 -->| 7.94
<!-- S06E02 -->| 7.29
<!-- S06E03 -->| 7.28
<!-- S06E04 -->| 7.82
<!-- S06E05 -->| 7.89
<!-- S06E06 -->| 6.71
<!-- S06E07 -->| 7.80
<!-- S06E08 -->| 7.60
<!-- S06E09 -->| 7.66
<!-- S06E10 -->| 8.89
<!-- S06_AV -->| 7.69
|-
<!-- S07E01 -->| 10.11
<!-- S07E02 -->| 9.27
<!-- S07E03 -->| 9.25
<!-- S07E04 -->| 10.17
<!-- S07E05 -->| 10.72
<!-- S07E06 -->| 10.24
<!-- S07E07 -->| 12.07
<!-- S07_AV -->| 10.26 
|-
<!-- S08E01 -->| 11.76
<!-- S08E02 -->| 10.29
<!-- S08E03 -->| 12.02
<!-- S08E04 -->| 11.80
<!-- S08E05 -->| 12.48
<!-- S08E06 -->| 13.61
<!-- S08_AV -->| 11.99
}}<section end="ratings" />

==Other media==
{{see also|Works based on A Song of Ice and Fire|l1=Works based on ''A Song of Ice and Fire''}}
[[File:Game of Thrones merchandise in HBO shop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|alt=A selection of the series's merchandise|''Game of Thrones'' merchandise in HBO's New York City store]]

===Video games===
{{main|List of A Song of Ice and Fire video games|l1=List of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'' video games}}

The series and the novels have inspired several video games.<ref>{{cite web|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|last=Fahey|first=Mike|date=April 22, 2013|website=Kotaku|publisher=[[G/O Media]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824094356/http://kotaku.com/game-of-thrones-ascent-is-more-up-to-date-with-the-sho-476864152|archive-date=August 24, 2016|access-date=April 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Shea|first=Brian|date=June 26, 2019|title=Assemble Your Own Night's Watch In Game Of Thrones Beyond The Wall|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/exclusive/2019/06/26/assemble-your-own-nights-watch-in-game-of-thrones-beyond-the-wall|url-status=live|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821064716/https://www.gameinformer.com/exclusive/2019/06/26/assemble-your-own-nights-watch-in-game-of-thrones-beyond-the-wall|archive-date=August 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Ascend the Iron Throne in New Game of Thrones Video Game|url=http://time.com/5376414/reigns-game-of-thrones-video-game/|last=McCluskey|first=Megan|date=August 23, 2018|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506135722/http://time.com/5376414/reigns-game-of-thrones-video-game/|archive-date=May 6, 2019|access-date=September 18, 2018}}</ref>

===Merchandise and exhibition===
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|date=November 22, 2019|title=The Best Game of Thrones Gifts for Newbies and Diehard Fans|newspaper=[[Harper's Bazaar]]|publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g13070119/game-of-thrones-gifts-merchandise/|url-status=live|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506144430/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g13070119/game-of-thrones-gifts-merchandise/|archive-date=May 6, 2020}}</ref> High-end merchandise includes a $10,500 [[Ulysse Nardin]] wristwatch<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Julie|date=May 9, 2013|title="Is the $10,500 Game of Thrones Watch Blood-Resistant?" and Our Other Most Pressing Concerns About the Official "Night's" Timepiece|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|url=https://vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch|url-status=live|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221182759/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/05/game-of-thrones-watch|archive-date=December 21, 2014}}</ref> and a $30,000 [[resin]] replica of the Iron Throne.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Julie|date=June 5, 2012|title=The Pros and Cons of Owning a $30,000 Game of Thrones Replica Throne|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|url=https://vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne|url-status=live|access-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129073534/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/06/game-of-thrones-finale-replica-throne|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</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|title=Exhibition|url=http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html|website=[[HBO]]|publisher=[[WarnerMedia]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222012445/http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/about/article/exhibition.html|archive-date=February 22, 2013|access-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref> Starting 2018, [[Diageo]] released several ''Game of Thrones'' themed whiskies.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hallinan|first=Bridget|date=November 5, 2019|title=Winter Is Coming, and So Is the Final 'Game of Thrones' Whisky|work=[[Food & Wine]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/diageo-game-of-thrones-final-whisky|url-status=live|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526131848/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/diageo-game-of-thrones-final-whisky|archive-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref>

==Related shows==
=== ''Thronecast'' ===
{{Main|Thronecast}}
''[[Thronecast]]: The Official Guide to Game of Thrones'', a series of podcasts presented by [[Geoff Lloyd]] and produced by Koink, were released on the Sky Atlantic website and the UK iTunes store during the series's run; a new podcast, with analysis and cast interviews, was released after each episode.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thronecast: Gameshow of Thrones|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/hs7r7m/thronecast--gameshow-of-thrones/|last=Fullerton|first=Huw|website=[[RadioTimes]]|publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130182215/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/vz8sq/thronecast/|archive-date=November 30, 2019|access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref> In 2014 and 2015, HBO commissioned ''[[Catch the Throne]]'', two rap albums about the series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whelan|first=Robbie|date=March 4, 2014|title=Unlikely Mix: Rappers, Dragons and Fantasy: HBO Hires Hip-Hop, Latin-Music Artists to Promote 'Game of Thrones'|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142|url-status=live|access-date=March 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604042838/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304585004579417603138479142|archive-date=June 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910094058/http://www.spin.com/2015/03/game-of-thrones-catch-the-throne-2-talib-kweli-stream/ |archive-date=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]]|publisher=NEXT Management|first=Colin |last=Joyce |date=March 7, 2015 |access-date=April 4, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> A companion book, ''Inside HBO's Game of Thrones'' 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's first two seasons and its principal characters and families.<ref>{{cite news|last=Edwards|first=Richard|date=September 21, 2012|title=Inside HBO's Game Of Thrones by Bryan Cogman REVIEW|newspaper=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|url=http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020211004/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/09/21/inside-hbos-game-of-thrones-by-bryan-cogman-review/|archive-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>

=== ''After the Thrones'' ===
{{Main|After the Thrones}}
''[[After the Thrones]]'' was a [[live television|live]] [[aftershow]] during which hosts [[Andy Greenwald]] and Chris Ryan discussed episodes of the series. It aired on ''HBO Now'', the Monday following each season six episode.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=HBO orders Game of Thrones weekly after-show from Bill Simmons|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo|last=Snierson|first=Dan|date=April 4, 2016|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506102116/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/04/game-thrones-bill-simmons-after-show-hbo|archive-date=May 6, 2016|access-date=April 5, 2016}}</ref> The [[Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience]], a North American 28-city orchestral tour which performed the series's soundtrack with composer Ramin Djawadi, began in February 2017 and concluded in April 2017.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 8, 2016|title=Game of Thrones concert experience hits the road in 2017|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour|url-status=live|access-date=August 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821120407/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/09/game-of-thrones-concert-experience-ramin-djawadi-american-tour|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/have-you-experienced-game-thrones-live-concert |title=Have you experienced 'Game Of Thrones' live in concert? |website=Grammy.com |date=May 15, 2017 |access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref> A second tour followed in 2018 across cities in Europe and North America.<ref>{{cite web|title="Game Of Thrones" Live Experience Is Coming To A Town Near You|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/game-thrones-live-experience-coming-town-near-you|last=Hertweck|first=Nate|date=September 26, 2017|website=[[Grammy Award]]s|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526132722/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/game-thrones-live-experience-coming-town-near-you|archive-date=May 26, 2020|access-date=May 7, 2019}}</ref>

=== Home media extras ===
Each season's Blu-ray and DVD set contains several short [[still motion]] animated sequences titled ''Histories and Lore'', narrated by the cast, in character, as they detail events in the history of Westeros.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Game of Thrones History Tells Us a Few Things About the Future|url=https://archive.nerdist.com/new-game-of-thrones-history-tells-us-a-few-things-about-the-future/|last=Walsh|first=Michael|date=November 11, 2016|website=[[Nerdist Industries|Nerdist]]|publisher=[[Legendary Entertainment]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512195147/https://archive.nerdist.com/new-game-of-thrones-history-tells-us-a-few-things-about-the-future/|archive-date=May 12, 2020|access-date=September 16, 2017}}</ref> For the seventh season, this was to include the animated prequel series ''Game of Thrones: Conquest & Rebellion'', illustrated in a different animation style than previous videos. The series focuses on Aegon Targaryen's conquest of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.<ref name="nerdistanimated">{{cite news|last1=Lutes|first1=Alicia|date=September 14, 2017|title=Explore the Targaryen Conquest of Westeros in New Game of Thrones Animated Short|website=[[Nerdist Industries|Nerdist]]|publisher=[[Legendary Entertainment]]|url=https://archive.nerdist.com/game-of-thrones-animated-targaryen-conquest/|url-status=live|access-date=January 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331154235/https://archive.nerdist.com/game-of-thrones-animated-targaryen-conquest/|archive-date=March 31, 2019}}</ref> A week after the series finale, HBO released a behind-the-scenes documentary entitled ''[[Game of Thrones: The Last Watch]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wigley|first=Josh|date=May 27, 2019|title='Game of Thrones: The Last Watch' Delivers Emotional Farewell to Westeros|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-last-watch-documentary-explained-1213768|url-status=live|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602101159/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-last-watch-documentary-explained-1213768|archive-date=June 2, 2019}}</ref> The program documented the production of season 8 along with [[read-through]]s and interviews with the cast.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kram|first=Zach|date=May 27, 2019|title=Seven Takeaways From the Behind-the-Scenes Documentary 'Game of Thrones: The Last Watch'|work=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]|publisher=[[Spotify]]|url=https://www.theringer.com/game-of-thrones/2019/5/27/18641293/game-of-thrones-the-last-watch-documentary-takeaways|url-status=live|access-date=May 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929020119/https://www.theringer.com/game-of-thrones/2019/5/27/18641293/game-of-thrones-the-last-watch-documentary-takeaways|archive-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref>

===Successors===
In May 2017, after years of speculation about possible [[successor series]], HBO commissioned [[Max Borenstein]], [[Jane Goldman]], [[Brian Helgeland]], [[Carly Wray]], and Bryan Cogman to develop five individual ''Game of Thrones'' successor series;<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=September 20, 2017|title=Game of Thrones writer Bryan Cogman developing a 5th prequel series|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/09/20/game-thrones-bryan-cogman-5th-prequel/|url-status=live|access-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303164316/https://ew.com/tv/2017/09/20/game-thrones-bryan-cogman-5th-prequel/|archive-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> the writers were to be working individually with {{nowrap|George R. R. Martin}}, who also co-wrote two of the scripts.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|date=May 14, 2017|title='Game of Thrones': Fifth "Successor Show" in the Works at HBO, George R.R. Martin Says|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-fifth-successor-show-works-at-hbo-george-rr-martin-says-1003682|url-status=live|access-date=May 15, 2017|archive-url=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|archive-date=May 15, 2017}}</ref> {{nowrap|D. B. Weiss}} and David Benioff said that they would not be involved with any of the projects.<ref name="finalseason">{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=June 2, 2017|title=Game of Thrones: HBO clarifies prequels, final seasons plan|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/|url-status=live|access-date=June 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602204015/http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/02/game-of-thrones-prequel-final-season-interview/|archive-date=June 2, 2017}}</ref> 

Martin said that all the concepts under discussion were prequels, although he believes the term "successor show" applies better to these projects, as they are not ''Game of Thrones'' spin-offs in the traditional sense. He ruled out Robert's Rebellion (the overthrow of Daenerys's father by Robert Baratheon) as a possible idea and revealed that some may be set outside Westeros.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html |title=About Those {{nowrap|Spinoffs...}} |first=George R.R. |last=Martin|author-link=George R.R. Martin |date=May 14, 2017 |website=Not A Blog|access-date=August 6, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814193454/http://grrm.livejournal.com/536859.html |archive-date=August 14, 2017}}</ref> In September 2018, speaking about the four projects (i.e. not about Goldman's project), HBO president of programming Casey Bloys said that some of them had been abandoned completely, while others remained as possibilities for the future;<ref>{{cite news|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=July 25, 2018|title='Game Of Thrones': HBO Boss On Finale Season Premiere, Prequel – TCA|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/game-of-thrones-prequel-hbo-tca-1202433187/|url-status=live|access-date=September 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303164335/https://deadline.com/2018/07/game-of-thrones-prequel-hbo-tca-1202433187/|archive-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> Martin said that: "at least two of them are solidly based on material in ''Fire & Blood''".<ref>{{cite news|last=Cain|first=Sian|date=November 10, 2018|title=I've been struggling with it': George RR Martin on The Winds of Winter|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/10/game-of-thrones-george-rr-martin-the-winds-of-winter-interview|url-status=live|access-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521171251/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/10/game-of-thrones-george-rr-martin-the-winds-of-winter-interview|archive-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> In May 2019, Martin stated that two of the projects were still in the script stage, but were "edging closer".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=George R.R. Martin says three Game of Thrones spin-offs still in the works|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/04/game-of-thrones-three-spin-offs-george-rr-martin/|last=Romano|first=Nick|date=May 4, 2019|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302124041/https://ew.com/tv/2019/05/04/game-of-thrones-three-spin-offs-george-rr-martin/|archive-date=March 2, 2020|access-date=May 5, 2019}}</ref> In April 2019, Cogman confirmed his prequel would not be moving forward.<ref>{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones Producer Bryan Cogman's Spinoff Series Dead at HBO: 'I Am Done With Westeros'|url=https://tvline.com/2019/04/24/game-of-thrones-spinoff-bryan-cogman-prequel-idea-dead-not-moving-forward/|last=Roots|first=Kimberly|date=April 24, 2019|website=[[TVLine]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520080134/https://tvline.com/2019/04/24/game-of-thrones-spinoff-bryan-cogman-prequel-idea-dead-not-moving-forward/|archive-date=May 20, 2020|access-date=April 24, 2019}}</ref>

In January 2021, an [[Adult animation|adult animated]] spin-off series was announced to be in development at [[HBO Max]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-of-thrones-animated-drama-eyed-at-hbo-max-exclusive |title='Game of Thrones' Animated Drama Eyed at HBO Max (Exclusive) |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Lesley |last=Goldberg |date=January 27, 2021 |access-date=January 28, 2021}}</ref> In July 2021, two more animated series were in development at HBO Max, with one being set in Yi Ti, a nation in Essos loosely based on [[Imperial China]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=July 16, 2021|title=HBO Max Developing 2 More 'Game of Thrones' Animated Shows (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-of-thrones-animated-yiti-1234982593/|access-date=December 8, 2021|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> The [[working title]] is ''The Golden Empire''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Llewellyn |first=Tom |date=November 1, 2022 |title=George RR Martin claims visuals in Game of Thrones animated spin-off are stunning |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/11/01/animated-game-of-thrones-spin-off-coming-along-great-amidst-cancellation-rumours/ |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=HITC |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In March 2021, it was reported that three ''Game of Thrones'' spin-offs were in development at HBO; they include ''10,000 Ships'' (from Amanda Segal), a reference to the voyages made by warrior queen Princess Nymeria, who later founds Dorne; ''9 Voyages'' aka ''The Sea Snake'' (from [[Bruno Heller]]), about the voyages of Corlys Velaryon on his vessal the ''Sea Snake''; and a project based on Flea Bottom, the poorest slum in King's Landing.<ref name="GoT spinoffs">{{cite web|title='Game Of Thrones': Sea Snake's 9 Voyages Among Three More Spinoffs In Consideration At HBO|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/game-of-thrones-prequels-sea-snake-9-voyages-flea-bottom-10000-ships-bruno-heller-1234717042/|last1=White|first1=Peter|last2=Andreeva|first2=Nellie|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=March 18, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name="SnowSequelSeries"/> In June 2022, it was reported that a [[Jon Snow (character)|Jon Snow]] sequel series with [[Kit Harington]] to reprise his role was in early development at HBO.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-spinoff-1235167415/ |title='Game of Thrones' Jon Snow Sequel Series in Development at HBO (Exclusive) |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> The working title was ''Snow'' and Martin confirmed his involvement with the project and that Harington initiated the idea.<ref name="SnowSequelSeries">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/kit-harington-game-of-thrones-sequel-series-snow-george-r-r-martin-1235051162/ |title='Game Of Thrones' Creator George R.R. Martin Reveals Jon Snow Sequel's "Working Title", Showrunners On Board |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |first=Dominic |last=Patten |date=June 23, 2022 |access-date=June 24, 2022}}</ref> In April 2024, however, Harington stated the show had been shelved because they couldn't find a story that excited them enough.<ref name="SnowShelved">{{Cite web |last=Massoto |first=Erick |date=April 9, 2024 |title=HBO's 'Game Of Thrones' Jon Snow Spin-Off Has Been Shelved |url=https://collider.com/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-spin-off-cancelled/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409184121/https://collider.com/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-spin-off-cancelled/ |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |access-date=April 9, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> In April 2023, it was reported that a series based on Aegon Targaryen's conquest of Westeros was in development.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/game-of-thrones-prequel-aegons-conquest-hbo-1235570239/ |title='Game of Thrones' Prequel About Aegon's Conquest Eyed at HBO |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Joe |last=Otterson |date=April 3, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, it was announced that ''The Sea Snake'' is being developed as an animated series, having been previously announced as a [[live action]] series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patches |first=Matt |date=January 2, 2024 |title=New Game of Thrones show pivoting to animation, says George R.R. Martin |url=https://www.polygon.com/24022431/game-thrones-animated-show-george-rr-martin-blue-eye-samurai |access-date=January 8, 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== ''Bloodmoon'' ====
On June 8, 2018, HBO commissioned a pilot to a ''Game of Thrones'' prequel series from Goldman as showrunner and Martin as co-creator.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=June 8, 2018|title=Breaking: 'Game of Thrones' prequel pilot ordered by HBO. Full details ...|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/06/08/game-thrones-prequel-jane-goldman/|url-status=live|access-date=June 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303164338/https://ew.com/tv/2018/06/08/game-thrones-prequel-jane-goldman/|archive-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> The prequel was to take place in the Age of Heroes, a period that begins roughly 10,000 years before the events of ''Game of Thrones''. Notable events of that period include the foundation of powerful Houses, the Long Night when the White Walkers first descended upon Westeros, and the Andal Invasion when the Andals invaded from Essos and conquered most of Westeros.<ref name="IGN 180616">{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones Spinoff: What is The Age of Heroes?|url=https://ign.com/articles/2018/06/16/game-of-thrones-the-age-of-heroes-of-the-spinoff-series-explained|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|date=June 16, 2018|website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303164305/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/16/game-of-thrones-the-age-of-heroes-of-the-spinoff-series-explained|archive-date=March 3, 2020|access-date=September 2, 2018}}</ref> Martin suggested ''The Long Night'' as a title for the series.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=HBO cancels Game of Thrones prequel starring Naomi Watts|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/10/29/game-of-thrones-prequel-2/|last=Hibberd|first=James|date=October 29, 2019|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212194247/https://ew.com/tv/2019/10/29/game-of-thrones-prequel-2/|archive-date=December 12, 2019|access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref> [[S. J. Clarkson]] was announced to direct and executive produce the pilot,<ref>{{cite news|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=February 8, 2019|title="Crazy" Not To Consider More 'Game Of Thrones' Spinoffs, HBO Chief Says – TCA|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/game-of-thrones-spinoffs-more-considered-hbo-naomi-watts-george-rr-martin-1202553210/|url-status=live|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303170701/https://deadline.com/2019/02/game-of-thrones-spinoffs-more-considered-hbo-naomi-watts-george-rr-martin-1202553210/|archive-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> while [[Naomi Watts]] was cast as the female lead playing "a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|last2=Otterson|first2=Joe|date=October 30, 2018|title='Game of Thrones' Prequel Casts Naomi Watts in Lead Role|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/game-of-thrones-prequel-pilot-naomi-watts-hbo-1202977630/|url-status=live|access-date=October 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519200237/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/game-of-thrones-prequel-pilot-naomi-watts-hbo-1202977630/|archive-date=May 19, 2020}}</ref> Other series regulars were to include: Josh Whitehouse, [[Toby Regbo]], [[Ivanno Jeremiah]], [[Georgie Henley]], [[Naomi Ackie]], [[Denise Gough]], [[Jamie Campbell Bower]], [[Sheila Atim]], [[Alex Sharp]], [[Miranda Richardson]], Marquis Rodriguez, [[John Simm]], [[Richard McCabe]], [[John Heffernan (British actor)|John Heffernan]], and Dixie Egerickx.<ref>{{cite news|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=March 27, 2019|title='Game Of Thrones' Prequel HBO Pilot Adds Five Series Regulars To Cast|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/game-of-thrones-prequel-hbo-series-regulars-cast-marquis-rodriguez-john-simm-richard-mccabe-john-heffernan-dixie-egerickx-1202583636/|url-status=live|access-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303164419/https://deadline.com/2019/03/game-of-thrones-prequel-hbo-series-regulars-cast-marquis-rodriguez-john-simm-richard-mccabe-john-heffernan-dixie-egerickx-1202583636/|archive-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> In September 2019, Martin claimed the pilot was in post-production<ref>{{cite web|title=I Could Tell You…|url=http://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2019/09/16/i-could-tell-you/|last=Martin|first=George R.R.|date=September 16, 2019|website=Not a Blog|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416231644/https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2019/09/16/i-could-tell-you/|archive-date=April 16, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2019}}</ref> but in October 2019, it was announced that HBO had decided not to move forward with the series.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wigler|first1=Josh|last2=Lesley|first2=Goldberg|date=October 29, 2019|title='Game of Thrones': Naomi Watts-Led Prequel Dead at HBO|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries#Media holdings|Valence Media]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-naomi-watts-led-prequel-dead-at-hbo-1250795|url-status=live|access-date=October 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520131735/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-naomi-watts-led-prequel-dead-at-hbo-1250795|archive-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref>

==== ''House of the Dragon'' ====
{{Main|House of the Dragon|l1=''House of the Dragon''}}
In September 2019, ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' reported that a second prequel from Martin and Ryan Condal that "tracks the beginning of the end for House Targaryen" was close to receiving a pilot order from HBO; the project is not considered an original sixth script, as it builds upon Cogman's idea from 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title='Game Of Thrones' House Targaryen Prequel From George R.R. Martin & Ryan Condal Nears HBO Pilot Order |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/house-targaryen-prequel-game-of-thrones-series-ryan-condal-george-rr-martin-hbo-1202732221/ |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=September 12, 2019 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513171454/https://deadline.com/2019/09/house-targaryen-prequel-game-of-thrones-series-ryan-condal-george-rr-martin-hbo-1202732221/|archive-date=May 13, 2020|access-date=September 12, 2019}}</ref> This prequel, titled ''House of the Dragon'', was commissioned as a complete series on October 29, 2019. The 10-episode series is to be based on material from ''[[Fire & Blood (novel)|Fire and Blood]]'', executive produced by Martin, Vince Gerardis, Condal, and Miguel Sapochnik; the latter two are to be its showrunners as well.<ref>{{cite web |title='Game Of Thrones' Prequel 'House Of The Dragon' Gets Straight To Series Order From HBO |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/game-of-thrones-new-series-house-of-the-dragons-targaryen-hbo-max-greenlight-1202771886/ |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |last2=Andreeva |first2=Nellie |date=October 29, 2019 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512195141/https://deadline.com/2019/10/game-of-thrones-new-series-house-of-the-dragons-targaryen-hbo-max-greenlight-1202771886/|archive-date=May 12, 2020 |access-date=October 30, 2019}}</ref> In January 2020, HBO stated that the series is scheduled for a 2022 release and that the writing process has begun.<ref>{{cite web |title='Game Of Thrones' Prequel 'House Of The Dragon' To Launch In 2022; HBO Boss On More 'GOT' & Pilot That Didn't Go – TCA |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/game-of-thrones-prequel-house-of-the-dragon-premiere-date-2022-hbo-boss-more-got-pilot-naomi-watts-1202831792/ |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 15, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514014621/https://deadline.com/2020/01/game-of-thrones-prequel-house-of-the-dragon-premiere-date-2022-hbo-boss-more-got-pilot-naomi-watts-1202831792/|archive-date=May 14, 2020 |access-date=January 16, 2020}}</ref> Casting for the series started in July 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon begins its cast search |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2020-07-20/got-prequel-house-of-dragon-casting/ |last=McLennan |first=Patrick |date=July 20, 2020 |website=[[Radio Times]] |publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721163749/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2020-07-20/got-prequel-house-of-dragon-casting/|archive-date=July 21, 2020 |access-date=July 20, 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, it was revealed that [[Paddy Considine]] was cast as King Viserys I Targaryen.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=October 5, 2020|title='Game of Thrones' Prequel Series 'House of the Dragon' Casts Paddy Considine|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/game-of-thrones-house-of-the-dragon-paddy-considine-1234784726/|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303023701/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/game-of-thrones-house-of-the-dragon-paddy-considine-1234784726/|archive-date=March 3, 2021}}</ref> In December 2020, three more castings were announced: [[Olivia Cooke]] as [[Alicent Hightower]], [[Emma D'Arcy]] as [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]], and [[Matt Smith]] as [[Daemon Targaryen]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dow|first=Elaine|date=December 11, 2020|title='Game of Thrones' Prequel 'House of the Dragon' Adds Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D'Arcy|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/house-dragon-game-thrones-prequel-cast-oliva-cooke-emma-darcy-matt-smith-1234851907/|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218024136/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/house-dragon-game-thrones-prequel-cast-oliva-cooke-emma-darcy-matt-smith-1234851907/|archive-date=February 18, 2021}}</ref> In February 2021, HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys stated that the show would start production in April, with filming occurring in England.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=February 10, 2021|title='Game Of Thrones': Casey Bloys On Expanding Franchise With More Series On HBO & HBO Max As 'House Of the Dragon' Heads To Production|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/game-of-thrones-casey-bloys-expanding-franchise-new-series-revelopment-prequels-spinoffs-animation-hbo-hbo-max-house-of-the-dragon-start-of-production-1234691690/|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322135419/https://deadline.com/2021/02/game-of-thrones-casey-bloys-expanding-franchise-new-series-revelopment-prequels-spinoffs-animation-hbo-hbo-max-house-of-the-dragon-start-of-production-1234691690/|archive-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|author-link=James Hibberd (writer)|date=October 14, 2020|title=House of the Dragon to film in a different country than Game of Thrones|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|url=https://ew.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-filming-location-game-of-thrones/|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217093519/https://ew.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-filming-location-game-of-thrones/|archive-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> In February 2021, [[Steve Toussaint]], [[Eve Best]], [[Rhys Ifans]], and [[Sonoya Mizuno]] were confirmed to also be starring in the series.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=February 11, 2021|title='House Of the Dragon': Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best & Sonoya Mizuno Join HBO's 'Game of Thrones' Prequel|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/house-of-the-dragon-rhys-ifans-steve-toussaint-eve-best-sonoya-mizuno-cast-game-of-thrones-prequel-hbo-lord-corlys-velaryon-sea-snake-1234692290/|access-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322135433/https://deadline.com/2021/02/house-of-the-dragon-rhys-ifans-steve-toussaint-eve-best-sonoya-mizuno-cast-game-of-thrones-prequel-hbo-lord-corlys-velaryon-sea-snake-1234692290/|archive-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref> In March 2022, HBO announced a series premiere date of August 21, 2022, followed by the release of the official [[Teaser (trailer)|teaser trailer]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hatchett |first1=Keisha |last2=Moon |first2=Kat |date=May 5, 2022 |title=House of the Dragon: Trailer, Release Date, Cast, and Everything to Know About the Game of Thrones Prequel |work=[[TV Guide]] |publisher=[[Red Ventures]] |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/house-of-the-dragon-trailer-release-date-cast-and-everything-to-know-about-the-game-of-thrones-prequel/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514050351/https://www.tvguide.com/news/house-of-the-dragon-trailer-release-date-cast-and-everything-to-know-about-the-game-of-thrones-prequel/ |archive-date=May 14, 2022}}</ref>

==== ''A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'' ====
In January 2021, it was revealed that HBO were developing another prequel series to be based on Martin's novella series ''[[Tales of Dunk and Egg]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/game-of-thrones-tales-of-dunk-and-egg-series-hbo-1234889520/ |title='Game of Thrones' Prequel 'Tales of Dunk and Egg' in Early Development at HBO (EXCLUSIVE) |website=Variety |first=Joe |last=Otterson |date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=January 23, 2021}}</ref> [[Steven Conrad]] was attached as writer and executive producer of the ''Tales of Dunk and Egg'' series in November 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=November 30, 2021|title='Dunk & Egg': Steve Conrad To Write 'Game Of Thrones' Prequel Series In Works At HBO|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/dunk-egg-steve-conrad-writer-game-of-thrones-prequel-series-hbo-1234881825/|access-date=November 30, 2021|website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]}}</ref> In April 2023, HBO ordered ''A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight'' to series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/game-of-thrones-prequel-series-a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-hbo-1235578466/ |title='Game of Thrones' Prequel Series 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight' Ordered at HBO |website=Variety |first=Joe |last=Otterson |date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

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