In the four years since “Game of Thrones” first premiered, phrases like “winter is coming” and “valar morghulis” have entered the American lexicon, leaving fans eager for the Sunday-night show full of politics, backstabbing, bloodletting, and fiery dragons. The eighth season of the popular show might have premiered on HBO a couple of years ago, so whether you need a refresher on the insanity of the eight seasons or haven’t seen a single episode and missed every battle, we’ve got you covered.
“Game of Thrones” attracted record viewership on HBO and has a broad, active, and international fan base. 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) has been subject to criticism. The final season received significant critical backlash for its reduced length and creative decisions, with many considering it a disappointing conclusion.
The series received 59 Primetime Emmy Awards, the most for a drama series, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. Its other awards and nominations include three Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation, a Peabody Award, and five nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series, Drama. Many critics and publications have named the show one of the best television series of all time.
Where did the show come from?
The story told in “Game of Thrones” was adapted by series writers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss from George R. R. Martin’s fantasy book series “A Song of Ice and Fire.” Martin published the first book of the series, “Game of Thrones,” in 1996. The book was originally intended to be the first part of a trilogy, each following one of the three major plot lines, but as Martin wrote, the story expanded into what he now expects to be a seven-book series.
The series started off with a small fan base, but as Martin published more books and the scope of his fantasy world grew larger, so did the popularity of his story. Today, Martin’s novels have been translated into 20 languages and have sold more than 24 million copies in the United States alone. The HBO series is only one of many spin-offs from Martin’s epic tale, including a comic book, video games, and many historical prequels.
Game Of Thrones sequel
The first “Game Of Thrones” sequel is reportedly underway and it’s all about Jon Snow. If the series moves forward, Kit Harington reportedly will reprise his role as the fan-favorite character, who was last seen exiled and traveling North beyond the Wall with surviving Wildlings.
Though unconfirmed by official sources, the series would mark the seventh “Game Of Thrones” project in development, including three other live-action series and three animated prequels, in addition to “House of the Dragon,” which is set to premiere on August 21, 2022.
Martin, the author of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series on which the world of Game of Thrones is based, has yet to release his sixth book in the series, “The Winds of Winter,” which will continue a story vastly different from the last seasons of the HBO series. In a June 1 blog post, he praised the early cuts of the “House of the Dragon” episodes, writing: “I’ve now watched rough cuts of nine of the 10 episodes, and I continue to be impressed..”