Synopsis

Upon reaching Winterfell with their combined armies, Jon and Daenerys learn the army of the dead has breached the wall, and the Night King commands the undead Viserion.

The Northern Houses and their allies rally around Winterfell, but distrust Daenerys and doubt Cersei’s pledge to send troops. Euron returns to King’s Landing with the Golden Company and entices Cersei to consummate their union. On Cersei’s orders, Qyburn hires Bronn to assassinate Tyrion and Jaime. Theon rescues Yara, who then sets out to retake the Iron Islands, while Theon returns to Winterfell. At Winterfell, Jon reunites with Bran and Arya, and later learns to ride Rhaegal. Sam meets Daenerys, who states that she executed his father and brother. Sam reveals to Jon that he is actually Aegon Targaryen. At House Umber’s seat of Last Hearth, Tormund and Beric encounter Edd and other Night’s Watch members. They find the castle’s occupants dead, and the wight of Ned Umber is left as a gruesome message. Jaime arrives at Winterfell where Bran awaits him.

Jaime reveals Cersei’s deception to the Targaryen-Stark alliance and joins them after Brienne vouches for his loyalty. Jaime later apologizes to Bran for crippling him; Bran replies he harbors no anger and says they are no longer the same people. Tyrion loses Daenerys’ trust for having believed Cersei, prompting Jorah to ask her to forgive Tyrion’s mistakes. Citing their mutual love for Jon, Daenerys tries and fails to gain Sansa’s trust after refusing to give assurances about the North’s fate. Theon, Edd, Tormund, and Beric arrive at Winterfell, with the latter three reporting the undead army’s impending arrival. Bran proposes that he lure out the Night King, who wants to destroy the Three-Eyed Raven. The others agree, with Theon and the Ironborn offering Bran protection. Arya seduces Gendry. Jaime formally anoints Brienne as a knight. Jorah fails to dissuade Lyanna Mormont from fighting, and he receives House Tarly’s ancestral sword as a gift from Sam. As the Army of the Dead approaches, Jon reveals his Targaryen lineage to Daenerys.

The Living Army meets the Army of the Dead outside Winterfell. The initial Dothraki charge is decimated, and the Unsullied are quickly overwhelmed. Edd is killed while saving Sam. The survivors retreat into the castle as Melisandre ignites the defensive fire trench surrounding Winterfell to delay the advancing horde. Jon and Daenerys engage the Night King on their dragons. The wights invade Winterfell, overpowering the defenders and killing Lyanna Mormont. Beric dies defending Arya. Jon and Rhaegal knock the Night King off Viserion, and Daenerys burns him with dragonfire but it has no effect. The Night King then raises slain Winterfell defenders, including the dead entombed in the crypt where the non-combatants are attacked. After wights pull Daenerys from Drogon, Jorah is fatally wounded defending her. The Night King arrives at the Godswood for Bran and kills Theon. Arya ambushes the Night King, stabbing him with her Valyrian steel dagger. The Night King and his White Walkers shatter, causing Viserion and the wights to collapse. Her purpose served, Melisandre allows herself to die from old age.

The survivors mourn and burn the dead. Daenerys legitimizes Gendry as a Baratheon, naming him Lord of Storm’s End. Arya declines Gendry’s subsequent marriage proposal. Jaime and Brienne become lovers. To protect her claim to the throne, Daenerys wants Jon to conceal his true parentage. Bronn arrives to kill Jaime and Tyrion for Cersei, but spares them in exchange for being promised Highgarden castle. Jon reveals his Targaryen claim to Sansa and Arya, swearing them to secrecy. Wanting Jon as king, Sansa tells Tyrion, who informs Varys. Arya and the Hound head for King’s Landing, bent on revenge. Tormund returns north with the Wildlings, taking Ghost at Jon’s request. Daenerys and her fleet set sail for King’s Landing, while Jon leads the Northern army. At Dragonstone, Euron’s navy ambushes her fleet, killing Rhaegal with ship-mounted scorpions. Missandei is taken hostage. Daenerys considers seizing King’s Landing using dragonfire. Varys and Tyrion debate whether Jon would be a better ruler than Daenerys. Jaime feels compelled to return to Cersei, despite Brienne’s plea that he stay. Cersei defiantly refuses Daenerys’ demand to surrender and has Missandei beheaded before an enraged Daenerys and Grey Worm.

Varys urges Jon to advance his claim, but the latter refuses to betray Daenerys. After Tyrion reveals Varys’ plot, Daenerys executes Varys by dragon fire. Jaime is captured, but Tyrion releases him so he can persuade Cersei to surrender the city, then escape Westeros together. Jaime, Arya, and the Hound each infiltrate King’s Landing. Dragon-borne Daenerys destroys the Iron Fleet and most of the city’s defenses, allowing her army to enter. Cersei’s forces are quickly overwhelmed and the city signals its surrender, but an enraged Daenerys begins leveling the city, burning soldiers and civilians. The allied army follows her lead, slaughtering anyone in their path, horrifying Tyrion and Jon. Jaime kills Euron but is himself mortally wounded. The Hound convinces Arya to abandon her longtime vendetta and save herself, then confronts the Mountain. The brothers ultimately perish after falling from a tower into flames. Cersei and Jaime reunite but are killed as the Red Keep collapses atop them. Jon calls for a retreat as frantic civilians flee the devastation. Arya barely survives.

Following the battle, the Unsullied execute captured soldiers upon Daenerys’ orders. Tyrion finds Jaime and Cersei dead in the ruins. Daenerys rallies the Unsullied and Dothraki, declaring she will lead them to liberate the entire world. Tyrion denounces her and resigns as Hand, then is imprisoned for treason to await execution. Arya and Tyrion separately warn Jon that Daenerys is a threat to him and House Stark. Jon confronts Daenerys and, unable to halt her destructive path, kills her. Drogon melts the Iron Throne, then gently carries Daenerys’ body away. Tyrion proposes that all future monarchs be chosen by Westerosi leaders, rather than through familial succession. Bran Stark is proclaimed king, titled Bran the Broken. He grants Sansa the North’s secession as an independent kingdom, and appoints Tyrion as his Hand. Jon is sentenced to the Night’s Watch to appease the Unsullied, who then set sail for Naath, Missandei’s homeland. Tyrion reorganizes the Small Council – Brienne, Bronn, Davos, and Sam – to rebuild King’s Landing. Podrick is knighted. Sansa is crowned Queen in the North. Arya sets sail to explore west of Westeros. Jon rejoins Tormund and Ghost at Castle Black, leading the Wildlings north of the Wall.

Reviews

Loved the end of Game of Thrones. Stately slow, immense, roughly silent, which is everything it should have been, while wrapping with wit, lack of urgency, cadences worthy of Chopin’s preludes. Strikes me most of the best survived. That split-second vision of Daenerys with horned wings as her Drogon rose behind, the perfection of the dropped Wall gate echoing the very first episode of the very first series … all was pretty much perfect. – And to all the hundreds of thousands online who want an entire rewrite of the entire last series, you do know this is something “fictional” on “television”, yes?”

The Sunday Observer, Euan Ferguson

Awards

Emmy Awards 2019:

• Game of Thrones is the highest ever winner of Emmys of any primetime TV show in the history of the awards.
• With 32 nominations in 2019, Game of Thrones broke the record of the most nominations received by a regular TV show in a single year.

3 Screen Actors Guild Award 2020 Wins or Nominations, including:

• Won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series – Peter Dinklage
• Nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
• IGN Summer Movie Awards 2019: Won IGN People’s Choice Award for Best TV Ensemble

Credits

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Aidan Gillen

Littlefinger

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Liam Cunningham

Davos Seaworth

Carice van Houten

Melisandre

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Nathalie Emmanuel

Missandei

Rory McCann

The Hound

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

Conleth Hill

Varys

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy

John Bradley

Samwell Tarly

Gwendoline Christie

Brienne of Tarth

Hannah Murray

Gilly

Kristofer Hivju

Tormund Giantsbane

Isaac Hempstead Wright

Bran Stark

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

Joe Dempsie

Gendry

Richard Dormer

Beric Dondarrion

Pilou Asbaek

Euron Greyjoy

Richard Dormer

Beric Dondarrion

Ben Compton

Eddison Tollett

Daniel Portman

Podrick Payne

Vladimir Furdik

Night King

Anton Lesser

Qyburn

Gemma Whelan

Yara Greyjoy

Synopsis

At the twins, Arya fatally poisons the remaining lords of house Frey. The White Walkers march toward the wall.

At Winterfell, despite Sansa’s disapproval, Jon secures the loyalties of Houses Umber and Karstark, who fought alongside Ramsay in the Battle of the Bastards. At the Citadel, Samwell steals books that reveal a large reservoir of dragonglass in Dragonstone, and sends word to Jon. He later finds Ser Jorah in a cell. In the Riverlands, Arya meets a group of friendly Lannister soldiers, who take her intention to kill Cersei as a joke. Thoros shows Sandor a vision in the fire. The revelation leads him to believe in the Lord of Light. In King’s Landing, Jaime tells Cersei of the crucial need for allies. She welcomes Euron, who proposes marriage to her in exchange for his Iron Fleet and a chance to kill Theon and Yara. Cersei declines citing trust as a concern, so Euron promises to return with a “gift” to prove his loyalty. Daenerys arrives at Dragonstone, the home of House Targaryen once occupied by Stannis, with her army and dragons.

Daenerys sends the Dornishmen with Yara’s fleet to Sunspear and the Unsullied to Casterly Rock, deciding to place King’s Landing under siege. She questions Varys’ loyalty and threatens to burn him alive if he ever betrays her. Melisandre arrives and encourages her to invite Jon Snow to Dragonstone. Grey Worm and Missandei consummate their relationship. Cersei gathers several lords, asking for their fealties and elevating Randyll Tarly as Warden of the South. Qyburn shows Cersei a prototype ballista capable of harming dragons. Arya meets with Hot Pie and learns of Jon’s ascension to King in the North, halting plans to travel to King’s Landing and instead setting course for Winterfell. After receiving Samwell’s letter, Jon leaves for Dragonstone in hopes of convincing Daenerys to support the fight against the White Walkers. He leaves Sansa in charge and aggressively warns Littlefinger to keep his distance. Samwell applies a forbidden treatment on Jorah’s greyscale infection. Euron’s fleet attacks Yara’s. Obara and Nymeria are killed, while Ellaria, Tyene, and Yara are captured. Theon shows flashes of his time as Reek, hesitating to challenge Euron before fleeing the carnage by jumping into the sea.

Jon arrives at Dragonstone. Daenerys demands his fealty. He refuses and focuses instead on convincing her to fight the Army of the Dead. Following Tyrion’s advice, Daenerys grants Jon access to the island’s dragonglass. Melisandre hides her presence from Jon and leaves for Volantis. Bran arrives at Winterfell and reveals his newfound role as the Three-Eyed Raven to Sansa. In King’s Landing, Euron returns with Ellaria and Tyene as a gift for Cersei, who promises to marry him after the war is won. She also awards him co-control of her military alongside Jaime. Cersei administers to Tyene the same poison used to kill Myrcella, forcing Ellaria to watch her daughter’s impending death. In Oldtown, a healed Jorah leaves to find Daenerys. Ebrose forgives Samwell. Grey Worm and the Unsullied attack Casterly Rock, only to find it mostly abandoned. Jaime led most of the Lannister forces in an attack on Highgarden, while Euron’s fleet ambushes and destroys the Unsullied’s ships. The Lannister forces overwhelm Olenna’s army. Jaime induces Olenna to drink poison, offering her a quick and painless death. After drinking it, she confesses to poisoning Joffrey.

Arya returns to Winterfell, where she reunites with Sansa and spars with Brienne, both of whom are unnerved by her exceptional fighting skills. Bran unemotionally bids farewell to Meera, divulging that he is no longer the boy she accompanied through the North. Littlefinger presents Bran with the dagger that was previously used in his attempted assassination. Cersei assures the Iron Bank a full return on their investment, as a train carrying gold from Highgarden is on its way to King’s Landing. In a cave filled with dragonglass, Jon reveals ancient paintings to Daenerys depicting the First Men and the Children of the Forest joining forces against the undead. Later, Daenerys learns of the sacking of Highgarden by Lannister forces and realizes her attack on Casterly Rock was a distraction. Despite Tyrion’s protests, she decides to take action. Led by Daenerys riding Drogon, the Dothraki cavalry catches the Lannister army by surprise and decimate or capture its remaining forces. Drogon is wounded during the fight by a spear fired from the scorpion ballista being manned by Bronn. Jaime mounts a desperate charge on horseback at a vulnerable Daenerys, but Drogon spews fire in time to thwart the attack. Bronn tackles Jaime into the river in time to save him.

Jaime and Bronn return to King’s Landing. Against Tyrion’s advice, Daenerys has Drogon burn Randyll and Dickon Tarly alive for remaining allegiant to Cersei, forcing the other captives to pledge fealty to the former. Jorah arrives at Dragonstone and reunites with Daenerys. Maester Wolkan alerts Jon and the Citadel about the approaching wights to Eastwatch by the Sea. Jon decides to travel beyond the Wall and capture a wight in order to convince Cersei for a temporary alliance. Davos smuggles Tyrion inside King’s Landing, where he secretly meets with Jaime and offers an armistice, which Cersei accepts, informing Jaime that she is pregnant. Davos rendezvouses with Gendry and returns him to Dragonstone. With the Citadel ignoring Wolkan’s letter, Samwell steals several books and leaves with Gilly and Little Sam. At Winterfell, Littlefinger notices Arya spying on him and leads her to take a letter written by Sansa from his room. Jon, Jorah, and Gendry, joined by the Hound, the Brotherhood, and a group of the Free Folk led by Tormund, leave Eastwatch and pass the Wall, intending to capture a wight as evidence for Cersei that the Army of the Dead is real.

At Winterfell, Littlefinger plots to isolate Sansa. Tensions between Arya and Sansa grow following Arya’s discovery of the letter Sansa sent as a child begging for Robb’s fealty to Joffrey. Sansa discovers Arya’s bag of faces she took from Braavos. At Dragonstone, Tyrion counsels Daenerys about her upcoming negotiations with Cersei. Beyond the Wall, Jon leads a raiding party to capture a wight to bring South as evidence of the White Walkers’ existence. After successfully capturing one, the group is besieged by the White Walker army. Jon has Gendry return to Eastwatch and send a raven to Daenerys to request her help. Thoros freezes to death overnight. Daenerys arrives and saves the group from the wights, with the help of her dragons. The Night King, leader of the White Walkers, throws an ice spear at Viserion, one of Daenerys’ dragons, and kills it. Daenerys flies off, along with the raiding party, but is unable to save Jon. Benjen Stark intervenes and sacrifices himself to allow Jon to escape. When Jon and Daenerys are reunited, Jon pledges himself and the North to Daenerys as Queen. The Night King resurrects Viserion, making the dragon a part of his army.

At King’s Landing, the wight is presented to the Lannisters. Cersei demands Jon’s neutrality in the Great War, but he upholds his oath to Daenerys, provoking Cersei to leave. Tyrion meets privately with Cersei, apparently persuading her to ally. Cersei later reveals to Jaime that she was lying and instead intends to use the Golden Company of Braavos to secure her hold on Westeros. Disgusted, Jaime deserts her and rides north. Bound for White Harbor, Jon and Daenerys make love. At Dragonstone, Theon earns the respect of his men and leads them to rescue Yara. At Winterfell, Littlefinger sows dissent using Arya’s threatening demeanor with Sansa, who assembles a trial. After listing Littlefinger’s acts of treason against House Stark and the North, Sansa has Arya execute him. Samwell arrives at Winterfell and meets with Bran, where both discuss Jon’s parentage. They realise Jon is a trueborn Targaryen named Aegon and valid heir to the Iron Throne, with his parents—Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark—having married in secret. At Eastwatch, the Night King rides the undead dragon Viserion and collapses a section of the Wall with blue dragon fire, allowing the Army of the Dead to march south.

Reviews

“Game of Thrones” is the best show on television.

Chicago Tribune, Jon Kaas

In practical terms, “Thrones” exemplifies the perfect model for victory in the pay-to-view, subscription age – a program that combines prestige (garnering plenty of award nominations to go with it’s critical superlatives), mass appeal (carving out ratings records by HBO’s standards) and the kind of cultish devotion often reserved for much narrower properties.

Variety, Brian Lowry

Awards

Game of Thrones is the highest ever winner of Emmys of any primetime TV show in the history of the awards.

18 Emmy Wins or Nominations including:

• Won Outstanding Drama Series

Screen Actors Guild Awards:

• Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Golden Globe Awards:

• Nomination for Best Television Drama

Credits

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Aidan Gillen

Littlefinger

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Liam Cunningham

Davos Seaworth

Carice van Houten

Melisandre

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Nathalie Emmanuel

Missandei

Rory McCann

The Hound

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

Conleth Hill

Varys

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy

John Bradley

Samwell Tarly

Gwendoline Christie

Brienne of Tarth

Hannah Murray

Gilly

Kristofer Hivju

Tormund Giantsbane

Isaac Hempstead Wright

Bran Stark

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

Joe Dempsie

Gendry

Richard Dormer

Beric Dondarrion

Pilou Asbaek

Euron Greyjoy

Jim Broadbent

Archmaester Ebrose

Showrunner

David Benioff

Showrunner

Dan Weiss

Director

Jeremy Podeswa

Director

Mark Mylod

Director

Matt Shakman

Director

Alan Taylor

Synopsis

The season follows the continuing struggle between the Starks and other noble families of Westeros for the Iron Throne.

The Starks defeat the Bolton forces in battle, and Jon Snow is proclaimed the King in the North. Tyrion attempts to rule Meereen while Daenerys is held captive by a Dothraki tribe. At King’s Landing, the Tyrell army attempts to liberate Margaery and Loras, but Margaery capitulates to the High Sparrow, who becomes more powerful by influencing King Tommen. At her trial, Cersei burns the Great Sept, killing her rivals, while Tommen kills himself. Unopposed, Cersei is crowned Queen of Westeros. Ellaria Sand and three of Oberyn Martell’s daughters kill Doran and Trystane Martell and seize control of Dorne, and Olenna discusses an alliance with Ellaria. In Essos, Daenerys Targaryen is captured by Khal Moro who takes her before the khals; she burns them alive and takes command of the Dothraki.

Reviews

In practical terms, “Thrones” exemplifies the perfect model for victory in the pay-to-view, subscription age – a program that combines prestige (garnering plenty of award nominations to go with it’s critical superlatives), mass appeal (carving out ratings records by HBO’s standards) and the kind of cultish devotion often reserved for much narrower properties.

Variety, Brian Lowry

Awards

Taormina Film Festival Award:

• Best Actor for his performance as Ser Jorah Mormont in Game Of Thrones – Iain Glen

Game of Thrones became the highest ever winner of Emmys of any primetime TV show in the history of the awards.

The Sixth Series received 23 Emmy nominations, winning 12 awards including:

• Outstanding Drama Series
• Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – David Benioff and DB Weiss
• Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series – Miguel Sapochnik

Credits

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Aidan Gillen

Littlefinger

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Liam Cunningham

Davos Seaworth

Carice van Houten

Melisandre

Natalie Dormer

Margaery Tyrell

Indira Varma

Ellaria Sand

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Nathalie Emmanuel

Missandei

Rory McCann

The Hound

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

Conleth Hill

Varys

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy

John Bradley

Samwell Tarly

Tom Wlaschiha

Jaqen H’ghar

Gwendoline Christie

Brienne of Tarth

Hannah Murray

Gilly

Jonathan Pryce

High Sparrow

Kristofer Hivju

Tormund Giantsbane

Michiel Huisman

Daario Naharis

Michael McElhatton

Roose Bolton

Iwan Rheon

Ramsay Bolton

Dean-Charles Chapman

Tommen Baratheon

Isaac Hempstead Wright

Bran Stark

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

Showrunner

David Benioff

Showrunner

Dan Weiss

Director

Jeremy Podeswa

Director

Daniel Sackheim

Director

Jack Bender

Director

Mark Mylod

Director

Miguel Sapochnik

Synopsis

In Meereen, the insurgent “Sons of the Harpy” have started to revolt against Daenerys Targaryen’s regime by murdering citizens and unsullied, also taking the life of Barristan Selmy. In order to regain peace and control, Daenerys complies with the request of re-opening the fighting pits.

Tyrion Lannister arrives in Pentos along with Varys, and they begin their journey to Meereen together. They pass through Volantis, where Tyrion is abducted by Jorah Mormont, who takes him to Meereen as a way to redeem himself to Daenerys. Daenerys takes Tyrion as her advisor, but orders Jorah exiled once more. After the Sons of the Harpy mount an attack on Daenerys and her retinue at the fighting pits, Jorah saves her life. Drogon reappears and Daenerys flies away on his back. Drogon flies far away from Meereen and Daenerys quickly finds herself surrounded by Dothraki horsemen. Jorah and Daario Naharis leave to search for Daenerys, while Tyrion, Varys, Missandei, and Grey Worm remain to rule Meereen.

At the Wall, Stannis Baratheon has Mance Rayder burned alive for treason. Stannis promises Jon Snow legitimacy and rule of Winterfell should he ride with him against the Boltons, but Jon declines the offer and stays at the Wall. As newly elected Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, Jon forms an alliance with the Wildlings, much to the dismay of the rest of the Night’s Watch. They begin evacuating Wildlings at Hardhome, when the settlement suddenly comes under attack from White Walkers and their wight armies. Though many die and are revived as wights, the brothers still manage to rescue a large number of Wildlings and Jon leads them through the tunnel to Castle Black, south of the Wall. After Samwell Tarly and Gilly leave for Oldtown and Maester Aemon passes away, the majority of the Night’s Watch become disillusioned with Jon’s leadership and see him as a traitor. They lure Jon into a trap and stab him to death.

In the Vale, Littlefinger puts Robin Arryn in the care of House Royce and leaves for Winterfell with Sansa Stark. Brienne, still loyal to the oath she swore to Catelyn Stark, and her squire Podrick follow them. In Winterfell, Sansa is reunited with Reek and marries Ramsay Bolton to form an alliance between the Vale and the Boltons. Ramsay subjects Sansa to physical and psychological abuse, including raping her on their wedding night while forcing Reek to watch. After Reek reveals to Sansa that he did not kill her brothers Bran and Rickon, the two escape together, jumping off the castle walls.

At his camp in the North, Stannis reluctantly acquiesces to Melisandre’s demands to burn Shireen alive as a sacrifice to the Lord of Light. As a result, his wife Selyse is found hanging from a noose and half of his forces desert him. The remaining Baratheon forces ride for Winterfell, but are soon defeated by the Boltons. In the aftermath of the battle, Stannis is apparently killed by Brienne of Tarth. Melisandre flees for Castle Black.

In King’s Landing, Lancel Lannister returns, now a member of the devoutly religious “Sparrows”. Following the wedding of Margaery Tyrell and Tommen Baratheon, Cersei Lannister begins losing control of Tommen, and with him her power source. She tries to regain her status by authorizing the revival of the Faith Militant, the military wing of the Faith of the Seven. The Sparrows quickly begin imposing their puritanical views upon King’s Landing by ridding it of all “sins”, in the process also seizing Loras Tyrell for being homosexual. They proceed to imprison him, as well as Margaery and Cersei herself for committing various sins. Cersei is released after confessing to adultery with Lancel and being forced to march naked through King’s Landing.

In Dorne, the Sand Snakes, the bastard daughters of Oberyn Martell, seek vengeance against the Lannisters for the death of their father. After a threatening message arrives, Bronn and Jaime Lannister travel to Dorne, planning to rescue Myrcella Baratheon. Oberyn’s brother Doran Martell discovers that Ellaria Sand had sent the message and allows Jaime and Myrcella to leave for King’s Landing, provided Myrcella’s betrothed Trystane Martell joins them and obtains a seat on the Small Council. En route to King’s Landing, Myrcella dies, having been poisoned by Ellaria.

Arya Stark arrives in Braavos and starts training with the Faceless Men, guided by Jaqen H’ghar and another young woman. She disguises herself as an oyster seller and is told to kill a dishonest insurance agent at the harbor. But after Meryn Trant’s arrival, Arya steals a false face from the temple and assassinates him instead. Doing so causes her to go blind.

Reviews

In it’s fifth season, “Game of Thrones” is as it ever was. Breathtaking, heartbreaking, awe-inspiring and addictive, it remains the single most remarkable feat of television, possibly ever, increasingly admirable for it’s ability to grow rather than simply sustain. No longer content with defining epic television, “Game of Thrones” is poised to redefine it by making a genre built on action and archetypes irrefutably human. The hall-mark of this season is depth rather than breadth.

Los Angeles Times, Mary McNamara

Let the Game begin. Thrones is back and it’s better than ever. Despite flitting between seven settings, the episode is dark and compelling, hinting at a looming shift in power and perspective.

New York Post, Sara Stewart

The scale was awe-inspiring. Hurling Hollywood-level budgets behind a multi-season TV show paid rich rewards this week, from the enormous Gladiator-style sweep of the crowded coliseum arena to thrillingly choreographed fights to the death before a huge, baying audience. Best of all was the fantastic reveal as Ser Jorah (Iain Glen) launched a spear seemingly right at Daenerys’s heart, but in fact at a terrifying lurking figure waiting to assassinate her.
Drogon the dragon made a scene-stealing appearance to scatter the Sons of the Harpy, who were suddenly everywhere, masked and terrifying, with Daenerys and her council outnumbered. As Dany climbed onto Drogon’s back and flew away in her own Neverending Story moment, she was glorious, poised somewhere between bruised fugitive queen and mythical dragon goddess. Emilia Clarke’s defiant, ethereal beauty as Daenerys in these final moments felt historic.

The Telegraph, Charlotte Runcie

Having spent four magnificent campaigns establishing various constituencies with claims to the Iron Throne, four previewed episodes connect several of them in Fascinating ways, while continuing to add new faces to the already sprawling cast. Operating on a scale like nothing else on TV, and creatively liberated to play the long game stretching into the future, perhaps no project better distinguishes HBO’s status as the leading premium player than David Benioff and DB Weiss’ meticulous adaptation of George RR Martin’s fantasy world.
There are so many fine performances here it’s difficult to single out just a few.
In practical terms, “thrones” exemplifies the perfect model for victory in the pay-to-view, subscription age – program that combines prestige (garnering plenty of award nominations to go with it’s critical superlatives), mass appeal (carving out ratings records by HBO’s standards) and the kind of cultish devotion often reserved for much narrower properties.

Variety, Brian Lowry

The show’s many deviations from the song of Ice and Fire series, rubs some diehards the wrong way, and they’ve also fretted over what will happen when the TV show inevitably outpaces the notoriously slow Martin. (He still has two books to deliver in the series.) For me, that possibility used to be the most significant source of tension in watching the show, a kind of Westeros Singularity I hoped would never come to pass. I’m officially over it: Season 5 of Game of Thrones pulls even further away from the novels and I’m fairly sure it is better for it. With each episode , I have less of an idea where the story is going , which means I might soon be enjoying it the way I did the first season, before I’d read the books.

Slate, Jonathon L Fischer

Game of Thrones is the best show on television.

Chicago Tribune, Jon Kaas

Awards

Game of Thrones season V received more primetime Emmy nominations than any show in the history of the awards.

• Won Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series
• Won Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
• Won Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Credits

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Aidan Gillen

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

Natalie Dormer

Margaery Tyrell

Liam Cunningham

Davos Seaworth

Stephen Dillane

Stannis Baratheon

Carice van Houten

Melisandre

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy/Reek

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

John Bradley

Samwell Tarly

Rose Leslie

Ygritte

Kristofer Hivju

Tormund Giantsbane

Hannah Murray

Gilly

Rory McCann

Sandor “The Hound” Clegane

Gwendoline Christie

Brienne of Tarth

Iwan Rheon

Ramsay Snow

Conleth Hill

Varys

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

Natalie Emmanuel

Missandrei

Jonathan Pryce

High Sparrow

Tom Wiaschiha

Jaqen H’ghar

Dean-Charles Chapman

Tommen Baratheon

Michael McElhatton

Roose Bolton

Sibel Kekilli

Shae

Pedro Pascal

Oberyn Martell

Diana Rigg

Olenna Tyrell

Alexander Siddig

Doran Martell

Toby Sebastian

Trystane Matell

Indira Varma

Ellaria Sand

Jessica Henwick

Nym Sand

Rosabell Laurenti Sellers

Tyene Sand

Keisha Castle-Hughes

Obara Sand

DeObia Oparei

Areo Hotah

Daniel Portman

Podrick Payne

Michiel Huisman

Daario Naharis

Enzo Cilenti

Yezzan

Julian Glover

Grand Maester Pycelle

Roger Ashton-Griffiths

Mace Tyrell

Ian Gelder

Kevan Lannister

Anton Lesser

Qyburn

Finn Jones

Ser Loras Tyrell

Dean-Charles Chapman

Tommen Baratheon

Ian Beattie

Ser Meryn Trant

Tony Way

Dontos Hollard

Paul Bentley

The High Septon

Hannah Waddingham

Septa Unella

Will Tudor

Olyvar

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

Gregor Clegane, “The Mountain”

Ian McElhinney

Ser Barristan Selmy

Jacob Anderson

Grey Worm

Joel Fry

Hizdahr zo Loraq

Ciarán Hinds

Mance Rayder

Peter Vaughan

Maester Aemon

Owen Teale

Alliser Thorne

Dominic Carter

Janos Slynt

Ben Crompton

Eddison Tollett

Josef Altin

Pypar

Brian Fortune

Othell Yarwyck

Brenock O’Connor

Olly

Rupert Vansittart

Yohn Royce

Ian Whyte

Wun Wun

Lino Facioli

Robyn Arryn

Tara Fitzgerald

Selyse Baratheon

Kerry Ingram

Shireen Baratheon

Mark Gatiss

Tycho Nestoris

Synopsis

In King’s Landing, guests begin arriving for Joffrey Baratheon and Margaery Tyrell’s wedding, including the vengeful Oberyn Martell. After Joffrey is poisoned at his wedding by Margaery’s grandmother, Olenna Tyrell, a distraught Cersei Lannister is quick to blame her younger brother, Tyrion, for the death of her son. Tyrion struggles to survive these accusations as he is pitted against both his father and his sister while he is abandoned by all those he once held dear. The Martells, the ruling family of Dorne, are represented at the wedding by Prince Oberyn; like the rest of his family and many others, Oberyn has a deeply personal reason to despise the Lannister regime.

The remaining Stark children have all embarked on their separate journeys, aware that they have no home to return to anymore. Sansa Stark successfully escapes King’s Landing with the help of Petyr Baelish, only to come into conflict with her jealous aunt, Lysa Arryn, who mistrusts the relationship between Petyr and Sansa. Meanwhile, Arya Stark is still heading to the Eyrie, accompanied by Sandor Clegane, who hopes he will receive payment for delivering her safely to one of her living relatives. Lastly, Bran Stark, accompanied by the Reeds and Hodor, continues his mission north of the Wall trying to find the three-eyed raven he has been dreaming about.

At the Wall, a recently returned Jon Snow tries to warn his leaders about Mance Rayder’s impending attack on the Wall from both sides. The southern attack is being led by Tormund Giantsbane and Ygritte, who have recently joined forces with another Wildling tribe: the Thenns. Also returned to the Wall, Samwell Tarly struggles with his feelings for the wildling girl, Gilly, and the impact she is having on the Night’s Watch.

Elsewhere, Davos Seaworth is ambitiously trying to restore Stannis Baratheon’s army in preparation for its journey to the Wall, while Roose Bolton enlists his bastard Ramsay Snow, an enslaved Theon Greyjoy, and Locke to help cement his claim to the North.

Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys Targaryen continues her conquest of Slaver’s Bay by taking control of the largest city, Meereen. Once Meereen is claimed, Daenerys decides to stay and learn to rule before making her return to Westeros. While in Meereen, she deals with the hardships of ruling, a blooming love interest, and a devastating betrayal.

Reviews

The jewel in Sky Atlantic’s programming crown.

The Telegraph

One of the ten best TV shows ever made.

The Sun

Utterly compelling

Heat

Game of Thrones is an exceptional show in its prime, and it knows it.

Radio Times

All hail the most epic drama to ever hit the small screen.

TV Times

The jewel in Sky Atlantic’s programming crown.

The Telegraph

The most trenchant, brave and brutal examination of power on television.

The Independent

What gives Game of Thrones edge over rivals is the quality of the human moments between the sex, gore, violence and action.

MSN

It’s the show that everyone is talking about and for a very good reason ­ it’s stunning, movie-scale storytelling, packed with swords, sex and more twists than an extra-large Curly Wurly.

Digital Spy

Some of the most sophisticated and brilliantly made dramatic television I’ve seen on the small screen.

Sunday Times Culture

The wait is finally over as the most anticipated show returns for a forth series and the battle for the Iron Throne of Westeros resumes in earnest. In terms of scale and ambition it can’t be matched. Who would have thought that fantasy could be so cool?

The Times

Awards

• SAG Nomination for Best Drama Ensemble
• TCA Awards – Nomination for Program of the Year
• Critic’s Choice – Nomination for Best Drama Series
• 19 Primetime Emmy Awards and Nominations including
• Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
• Golden Globe Awards – Nomination for Best Television Series

Credits

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Aidan Gillen

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Charles Dance

Tywin Lannister

Natalie Dormer

Margaery Tyrell

Liam Cunningham

Davos Seaworth

Stephen Dillane

Stannis Baratheon

Carice van Houten

Melisandre

Jack Gleeson

King Joffrey Baratheon

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy/Reek

Isaac Hempstead-Wright

Bran Stark

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

John Bradley

Samwell Tarly

Rose Leslie

Ygritte

Kristofer Hivju

Tormund Giantsbane

Hannah Murray

Gilly

Rory McCann

Sandor “The Hound” Clegane

Gwendoline Christie

Brienne of Tarth

Iwan Rheon

Ramsay Snow

Conleth Hill

Varys

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

Sibel Kekilli

Shae

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Pedro Pascal

Oberyn Martell

Diana Rigg

Olenna Tyrell

Indira Varma

Ellaria Sand

Daniel Portman

Podrick Payne

Julian Glover

Grand Maester Pycelle

Roger Ashton-Griffiths

Mace Tyrell

Anton Lesser

Qyburn

Finn Jones

Ser Loras Tyrell

Dean-Charles Chapman

Tommen Baratheon

Ian Beattie

Ser Meryn Trant

Tony Way

Dontos Hollard

Paul Bentley

The High Septon

Will Tudor

Olyvar

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

Gregor Clegane, “The Mountain”

Michiel Huisman

Daario Naharis

Ian McElhinney

Ser Barristan Selmy

Nathalie Emmanuel

Missandei

Jacob Anderson

Grey Worm

Joel Fry

Hizdahr zo Loraq

Ciarán Hinds

Mance Rayder

Thomas Sangster

Jojen Reed

Ellie Kendrick

Meera Reed

Kristian Nairn

Hodor

Struan Rodger

Three-Eyed Raven

Luke Barnes

Rast

Burn Gorman

Karl Tanner

Octavia Alexandru

Child of the Forest

Michael McElhatton

Lord Roose Bolton

Peter Vaughan

Maester Aemon

Owen Teale

Alliser Thorne

Dominic Carter

Janos Slynt

Noah Taylor

Locke

Mark Stanley

Grenn

Ben Crompton

Eddison Tollett

Josef Altin

Pypar

Brian Fortune

Othell Yarwyck

Brenock O’Connor

Olly

Yuri Kolokolnikov

Styr

Charlotte Hope

Myranda

Elizabeth Webster

Fat Walda Frey

Gemma Whelan

Yara Greyjoy

Kate Dickie

Lysa Arryn

Lino Facioli

Robin Arryn

Paola Dionisotti

Anya Waynwood

Rupert Vansittart

Yohn Royce

Tara Fitzgerald

Selyse Baratheon

Kerry Ingram

Shireen Baratheon

Mark Gatiss

Tycho Nestoris

Lucian Msamati

Salladhor Saan

Andy Kellegher

Polliver

Andy Beckwith

Rorge

Gerard Jordan

Biter

Ben Hawkey

Hot Pie

Synopsis

Season 3 spans several months on a world where the seasons can last for years at a time.

Autumn has fallen across the world, with winter not far behind. The people should be preparing for years of snow and ice, but the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros instead remain gripped by civil war. Would-be king Renly Baratheon has been assassinated, altering the alliances in the war. The cruel boy-king Joffrey Baratheon has won a great victory by securing an alliance with House Tyrell, with his supporters defeating his uncle Stannis in an epic battle. Joffrey now commands the largest armies in the realm and his triumph appears inevitable.

King Robb Stark remains in the field, however his homeland, the North, is partially under ironborn occupation. Robb needs to decide on a course of action to win an overall victory. He must also win back the allegiance of House Frey, whom he has offended by breaking his marriage pact to them. King Robb has won every battle he has fought, but as with old King Robert, the Starks will have to see if good soldiers make good kings.

Stannis Baratheon may be defeated and most of his army destroyed or scattered, but he is not out of the fight yet. Having retreated to his headquarters on Dragonstone island with his handful of surviving soldiers, Stannis’ status as the last legitimate heir to his older brother Robert still casts a shadow over Joffrey’s claim to the throne. With the priestess Melisandre at his side, Stannis can still influence the course of the war by striking where least expected.

The lives of many others still hang in the balance. Bran Stark and his protectors must cross the frozen wastelands of the North to reach the Wall, whilst Arya must brave the war-torn Riverlands in search of her mother and brother. Brienne also has the thankless task of taking the captive Jaime Lannister home across hundreds of miles of battlefields and carnage. Theon Greyjoy must face the consequences of his actions at Winterfell. And in King’s Landing both Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark must brave the currents of a much more dangerous court in order to survive.

On the eastern continent, Daenerys Targaryen has fled the political viper-pit of Qarth. Her dragons are growing and her fame is spreading, but to take the Iron Throne she will need supporters and an army. Both may be found in the corrupt cities of Slaver’s Bay… for a price.

Beyond the Wall, the White Walkers are on the move, threatening both the Seven Kingdoms and the lands of the Free Folk. While the Night’s Watch faces the threat of the White Walkers in the field, Jon Snow must infiltrate the wildling army of Mance Rayder and discover the King-Beyond-the-Wall’s plans.

Reviews

Based on the novels of George R R Martin, the great brilliance of Game of Thrones ( as opposed to the little brilliances, which are the shagging and the sword fights) is twofold. First, there’s the way that anyone can die, even the main characters. One moment you’re invested in them, utterly. The next, their heads are off. Better than that, though, is the way that the magic is in the background. Nothing even vaguely wizardish happens in the first series until the very closing minutes. Damn, but it’s good. This is where it has been going, the whole genre of big budget US drama. This is as good as it gets. As lavish as a movie , but so much richer, deeper and more engrossing. It’s the third season now, though, and you don’t have a hope of picking it up from here. Go back and start from the beginning. Unless you’re still at primary school. Then don’t.

The Times, Hugo Rifkind

It has gone from the realm of geeky fandom to a worldwide cult TV hit in the time it takes to swing a mighty broadsword. Yet when the latest instalment of Game of Thrones, the acclaimed sword and sorcery adventure series, hits British screens tomorrow night there is a good chance that the keenest fans will have already seen the first episode. Based on George R R Martin’s best-selling series of novels, the show has become a victim of its own success and is now one of the most illegally downloaded TV series of all time, with one episode having been shared more than four million times – roughly equal to the number of legal viewers it now attracts. Taking place in the fictional, war-ravaged realm of Westeros, the epic tale – sometimes jokingly referred to as The Sopranos in Middle Earth – is loosely based on the Wars of the Roses and features X-rated levels of sex and violence. But critics have fallen over themselves to sing the praises of the series, with its Hollywood-style big budget and an intelligent and complex script. The predominately European cast, including Sean Bean and Charles Dance, is one of the largest ever gathered for a TV series.

Filmed predominately in Northern Ireland and Malta, the lavishly produced drama – the producer HBO spent $60m (£39m) on the first season alone – pivots around the competing royal ambitions of two powerful dynasties, the Lannisters and the Starks.

The anti-piracy group Federation Against Copyright Theft (Fact), the UK’s leading trade organisation protecting intellectual property rights, described this trend as not only damaging to companies investing in the series, but detrimental to local economies benefiting from the show. “HBO has helped create hundreds of jobs in Northern Ireland where parts of Game of Thrones were filmed, and has a direct positive impact on the people who live there.”
However, the show’s director, David Petrarca, downplays the effects of piracy, saying Game of Thrones has actually “thrived from the cultural buzz” generated by more people having access to the programme.

Independent On Sunday, Tom Alvarez

As the saga of swords , secret sigils and random sex acts returns, we find the house of Westeros variously licking their wounds and plotting revenge. This episode ia about the aftermath of the Battle of Blackwater and its function is to set the scene for an exciting third season. In King’s Landing brat-king Joffrey’s head is turned by Margaery Tyrell and, unwisely, King’s hand Tywin Lannister incurs the wrath of his son Tyrion. Jon Snow tries to earn the trust of the King Betond the Wall. Danerys Targaryen dices with a nipple-slicing barbarian and some new players enter the game. Wickedly irresistible.

The Observer

Awards

Game of Thrones was one of the most celebrated dramas of the year.

The awards are too numerous to list but include…

• Sixteen Emmy Wins or Nominations including Nomination for Outstanding
• Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for David Benioff and Dan Weiss
• Screen Actors Guild Awards : Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
• Won the BAFTA audience award.

Credits

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Richard Madden

Robb Stark

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Michelle Fairley

Catelyn Stark

Aidan Gillen

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

Charles Dance

Tywin Lannister

Liam Cunningham

Davos Seaworth

Stephen Dillane

Stannis Baratheon

Carice van Houten

Melisandre

Natalie Dormer

Margaery Tyrell

Isaac Hempstead-Wright

Brandon “Bran” Stark

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy

Jack Gleeson

Joffrey Baratheon

John Bradley

Samwell Tarly

Oona Chaplin

Talisa Maegyr

Joe Dempsie

Gendry

Rose Leslie

Ygritte

Sibel Kekilli

Shae

Rory McCann

The Hound

Conleth Hill

Varys

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

James Cosmo

Jeor Mormont

Ciarán Hinds

Mance Rayder

Robert Pugh

Craster

Mackenzie Crook

Orell Skinchanger

Kristofer Hivju

Tormund Giantsbane

Mark Stanley

Grenn

Ben Crompton

Dolorous

Luke McEwan

Rast

Hannah Murray

Gilly

Edward Dogliani

Lord of Bones

Natalia Tena

Osha

Iwan Rheon

Ramsay Snow

Thomas Sangster

Jojen Reed

Ellie Kendrick

Meera Reed

Kristian Nairn

Hodor

Art Parkinson

Rickon Stark

Peter Vaughan

Maester Aemon

Josef Altin

Pypar

Patrick Malahide

Balon Greyjoy

Gemma Whelan

Yara Greyjoy

David Bradley

Lord Walder Frey

Gwendoline Christie

Brienne of Tarth

Richard Dormer

Beric Dondarrion

Paul Kaye

Thoros of Myr

Clive Russell

Brynden Tully

Tobias Menzies

Edmure Tully

Noah Taylor

Locke

Michael McElhatton

Lord Roose Bolton

Anton Lesser

Qyburn

Ben Hawkey

Hot Pie

John Stahl

Lord Rickard Karstark

Philip McGinley

Anguy

Diana Rigg

Olenna Tyrell

Julian Glover

Grand Maester Pycelle

Finn Jones

Ser Loras Tyrell

Esmé Bianco

Ros

Daniel Portman

Podrick Payne

Ian Beattie

Ser Meryn Trant

Ian McElhinney

Ser Barristan Selmy

Dan Hildebrand

Kraznys mo Nakloz

Nathalie Emmanuel

Missandei

Jacob Anderson

Grey Worm

Ed Skrein

Daario Naharis

Lucian Msamati

Salladhor Saan

Tara Fitzgerald

Selyse Baratheon

Kerry Ingram

Shireen Baratheon

Synopsis

The Seven Kingdoms are at war. The king in the north, Robb Stark, who is fighting to win independence for his people, decides that he must win the allegiance of the fiercely independent Ironborn to dethrone Joffrey Baratheon who holds the Iron Throne with the backing of the powerful House lannister.

Joffrey’s uncle Renly also has claims to the throne with the support of House Tyrell, whose armies are significantly larger. As they struggle for ascendancy Tyrion Lannister arrives in King’s Landing to take matters in hand, only to face opposition from his scheming sister, Cersei, now the Queen Regent.

Yet another faction enters the picture claiming sovereignty. Stannis Baratheon, Robert’s younger brother and Renly’s older is a proven battle commander and veteran of several wars, known to be utterly without mercy to his enemies. Advising him is Melisandre, an enigmatic priestess from the east, who believes Stannis is bound for a greater destiny.

Far to the east, Daenerys Targaryen has hatched the only three dragons in the world. They will grow into terrifying monsters capable of destroying cities at her command, but for now they are still hatchlings and vulnerable. With her Khalasar gone, Daenerys and her loyal knight Ser Jorah Mormont accompanied by a small band of followers must find a way across a forbidding wasteland and find new allies to support her claim to the Throne.

Forgotten by all in the distant north, the Night’s Watch has mounted an expedition beyond the Wall, searching for missing rangers and investigating rumours of wildlings amassing in the mountains. For Jon Snow this will be a rite of passage as he is asked to make difficult choices, for the realm and for himself.

Reviews

. . . pulls you in – and doesn’t let go. . .a great and thundering series. . .intrigue bristling with vivid characters, cross-hatched with tantalizing plotlines. . . wild and bewitching . . .rare alchemy. . .

Los Angeles Times

A cinematic feast . . . Definition of Epic Television.

Los Angeles Times

Grade A+ . . . Thrones rules all on the tube . . . the best show on television . . . the rarest of the rare.

Newsday

So engrossing, everything from the acting and the writing to the sumptuous sets and creative storytelling is top-notch.

Chicago Times

Gorgeous and hypnotic . . . magnificent.

The Wall Street Journal

Masterful Epic . . . impossible not to succumb to its visceral dark magic.

TV Guide

Gripping and rule breaking television.

Rolling Stone

. . . what elevates Game of Thrones above the gratuitous cut and thrust of Rome and its HBO stable mates, is the wit and complexity of David Benioff and D. B. Weiss’s script and the quality of the acting from mainly British cast.

The Times

Awards

Game of Thrones was one of the most celebrated dramas of the year.

• Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
• 12 Emmy Awards or Nominations including Outstanding Drama Series

Credits

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Michelle Fairley

Catelyn Stark

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Conleth Hill

Lord Varys

Aidan Gillen

Petyr Baelish

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

Richard Madden

Robb Stark

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy

Isaac Hempstead-Wright

Bran Stark

Jack Gleeson

Joffrey Baratheon

Sibel Kekilli

Shae

Rory McCann

Sandor Clegane

Charles Dance

Tywin Lannister

John Bradley

Samwell Tarly

Robert Pugh

Craster

Stephen Dillane

Stannis Baratheon

Liam Cunningham

Davos Seaworth

Oliver Ford Davis

Cressen

Claris Van Houten

Melisandre

Natalie Dormer

Margaery Tyrell

James Cosmo

Jeor Mormont

Ian McElhinney

Barristan Selmy

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

Donald Sumpter

Maester Lumin

Julian Glover

Gand Maester Pycelle

Writer/Producer

David Benioff

Writer/Producer

D.B. Weiss

Original Books

George R R Martin

Directors

Alan Taylor, Alik Sakharov, David Petrarca, David Nutter

Exec Producer

Carolyn Strauss

Exec Producer

Frank Doelger

Synopsis

The action begins in the unified Seven Kingdoms of Westeros as the long summer ends and winter draws near. Lord Eddard Stark is asked by his old friend, King Robert Baratheon, to serve as the King’s hand, following the death of the previous incumbent, Eddard’s mentor Jon Arryn.

Eddard is reluctant, but receives intelligence suggesting that Jon was murdered. He accepts the offer, planning to use his position and authority to investigate the alleged murder.

Meanwhile, on the eastern continent of Essos, the exiled children of House Targaryen, which Robert destroyed to claim the throne, are plotting to return to Westeros and unseat the ‘usurper’. To this end, Viserys Targaryen arranges the marriage of his sister Daenerys to Khal Drogo, the leader of 40,000 Dothraki warriors, in return for the use of those warriors to invade Westeros. For her part, Daenerys just wants to find a safe refuge far away from King Robert’s assassins and her brother’s scheming ambition.

On the northern-most border of the Seven Kingdoms the sworn brothers of the Night’s Watch guard the Wall, a 300-mile-long colossal fortification of ice that has stood for thousands of years. The Watch defends the Wall against the depredations of the lawless wildlings who live beyond, but rumour speaks of a new threat arising in the lands of perpetual winter.

Reviews

… pulls you in – and doesn’t let go…a great and thundering series…intrigue bristling with vivid characters, cross-hatched with tantalizing plotlines… wild and bewitching …rare alchemy…

Los Angeles Times

Grade A – …terrific. Gloriously staged, magnificently acted, brilliantly directed… one of those rare programs where you trip over words in a race to praise it… best-written TV show of the year…

New York Newsday

Epic Win! Bloody, Bold…visually stunning…immersive grownup adventure TV… Benioff and Weiss tame a narrative dragon…feels fully assembled out of the box…Watching Game of Thrones is like falling into a gorgeous, stained tapestry…epic, unflinching fantasy noir… .

Time Magazine

The closing credits left me cursing the fact that there was still a week to go before the next installment.

Daily Telegraph

Game of Thrones is a sexy and bloodthirsty epic fantasy.

The Independent

It could easily have turned into a blur of faces and places but this is focused, precise and utterly compelling.

The Guardian

It’s an X-rated Merlin with a mega-budget and a deviant personality… . Game of Thrones is a fantasy fix for all couch adrenalin junkies.

Keith Watson, Metro

HBO is magnificently unpredictable. Game of Thrones is its latest multi-million dollar blockbuster – a medieval fantasy adapted from George R R Martin’s series of novels ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. Described by one of it’s writers as The Sopranos of Middle Earth, there is plenty of enjoyment in the sheer imagination that has been lavished on creating this medieval never-never land.

The Times

… worth every single line of effusive blog geekery and promotional buzz…yet another HBO triumph over genre limits…unfolds beautifully and shrewdly…a mastery of TV storytelling…the casting is so sharp, and the acting so vivid, each of the faces is indelible.

The Boston Globe

Awards

Game of Thrones was one of the most celebrated dramas of the year.

The awards are too numerous to list but include…

• 13 Emmy Awards or Nominations including Outstanding Drama Series
• 2 Golden Globes including nomination for Best Television Series
• 2 Screen Actor Guild Nominations including Outstanding Performance by An Ensemble in a Drama Series
• 2 Critics Choice Nominations including Best Drama Series

Credits

Sean Bean

Eddard Stark

Mark Addy

Robert Baratheon

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Jaime Lannister

Michelle Fairley

Catelyn Stark

Lena Headey

Cersei Lannister

Peter Dinklage

Tyrion Lannister

Iain Glen

Jorah Mormont

Emilia Clarke

Daenerys Targaryen

Aidan Gillen

Petyr Baelish

Harry Lloyd

Viserys Targaryen

Kit Harington

Jon Snow

Sophie Turner

Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams

Arya Stark

Richard Madden

Robb Stark

Alfie Allen

Theon Greyjoy

Isaac Hempstead-Wright

Bran Stark

Jack Gleeson

Joffrey Baratheon

Rory McCann

Sandor Clegane

Charles Dance

Tywin Lannister

Frances McGee

Yoren

Jamie Sives

Jory Cassel

James Cosmo

Jeor Mormont

Susan Brown

Septa Mortane

Ian McElhinney

Barristan Selmy

Conleth Hill

Lord Varys

Jerome Flynn

Bronn

Donald Sumpter

Maester Lumin

Julian Glover

Gand Maester Pycelle

Writer/Producer

David Benioff

Writer/Producer

D.B. Weiss

Original Books

George R R Martin

Directors

Tim Van Patten, Brian Kirk, Daniel Minahan, Alan Taylor

Exec Producer

Carolyn Strauss

Exec Producer

Frank Doelger