60 Facts About Game Of Thrones

The Origins of Game of Thrones

The world of Westeros and beyond has captivated millions. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about the creation and development of this epic series.

1. George R.R. Martin began writing "A Song of Ice and Fire" in 1991. The first book, "A Game of Thrones," was published in 1996.
2. The series was inspired by the Wars of the Roses, a series of English civil wars for control of the throne of England.
3. HBO acquired the rights to adapt the books into a TV series in 2007, with the first season premiering in 2011.
4. The show's pilot episode was filmed twice. The first version was scrapped, leading to significant recasting and reshooting.
5. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss served as the primary showrunners throughout the series' eight-season run.

Iconic Characters and Their Stories

The characters in Game of Thrones are as memorable as the plot twists. Here are some intriguing details about them.

6. Peter Dinklage was the first actor cast for the series, taking on the role of Tyrion Lannister.
7. Emilia Clarke replaced Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen after the original pilot was reshot.
8. Kit Harington wore a wig for the first two seasons before growing out his hair for the role of Jon Snow.
9. Maisie Williams was only 12 years old when she was cast as Arya Stark.
10. Lena Headey and Jerome Flynn, who played Cersei Lannister and Bronn, respectively, had to be kept apart on set due to a past relationship.

Filming Locations and Production

The show's grandeur owes much to its diverse and stunning filming locations. Here are some behind-the-scenes facts.

11. The majority of the series was filmed in Northern Ireland, with additional locations in Croatia, Spain, Iceland, and Morocco.
12. Dubrovnik, Croatia served as the primary filming location for King's Landing from season two onward.
13. The Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland became famous as the Kingsroad, one of the most iconic locations in the series.
14. The Battle of the Bastards took 25 days to film, involving 500 extras, 600 crew members, and 70 horses.
15. The dragons were created using a combination of CGI and practical effects, with actors often interacting with green-screen props.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Game of Thrones has set numerous records and achieved significant milestones throughout its run.

16. The series has won 59 Primetime Emmy Awards, the most for any drama series.
17. The season eight premiere was watched by 17.4 million viewers across all platforms, setting a new record for HBO.
18. The show holds the Guinness World Record for the largest TV drama simulcast, airing in 173 countries simultaneously.
19. Season six was the first to surpass the books, as George R.R. Martin had not yet completed the corresponding novels.
20. The series finale, "The Iron Throne," drew 19.3 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode in HBO history.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The influence of Game of Thrones extends far beyond television. Its cultural impact is undeniable.

21. The phrase "Winter is Coming" has become synonymous with the series and is widely recognized even by those who haven't watched the show.
22. "Valar Morghulis" and "Valar Dohaeris" are High Valyrian phrases that have entered popular culture, meaning "All men must die" and "All men must serve," respectively.
23. The Iron Throne has become an iconic symbol, with replicas appearing in various public spaces and events worldwide.
24. "Red Wedding" has become shorthand for any shocking and brutal plot twist in television and film.
25. The series has inspired numerous parodies, including episodes of "The Simpsons," "South Park," and "Saturday Night Live."

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite its success, Game of Thrones has not been without its controversies and criticisms.

26. The show faced backlash for its depiction of violence, particularly against women, with some scenes sparking significant debate.
27. The final season received mixed reviews, with many fans and critics expressing disappointment in the pacing and resolution of key storylines.
28. Petitions were created demanding a remake of the final season, with one gathering over 1.8 million signatures.
29. The coffee cup incident in season eight's fourth episode became a viral moment, with a modern coffee cup mistakenly appearing in a scene.
30. George R.R. Martin has expressed mixed feelings about the show's ending, noting differences from his planned conclusion for the books.

Fun Facts and Easter Eggs

Game of Thrones is filled with hidden details and fun facts that even the most dedicated fans might have missed.

31. Direwolves were portrayed by Northern Inuit dogs in the first season, later replaced by CGI.
32. Hodor's real name, Wylis, was revealed in season six, a departure from the books where his name is Walder.
33. A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin made a cameo in the unaired pilot as a guest at Daenerys' wedding.
34. The Valyrian steel swords were crafted by the same company that made the weapons for "The Lord of the Rings" films.
35. Kit Harington and Rose Leslie, who played Jon Snow and Ygritte, are married in real life.

Behind the Scenes

The making of Game of Thrones involved a lot of hard work and dedication from the cast and crew.

36. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) had to learn to fight with his left hand after his character lost his right hand.
37. Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) adopted her direwolf, Lady, after the character was killed off in the show.
38. The Wall was created using a combination of a 55-foot-tall set and CGI to make it appear 700 feet tall.
39. Sean Bean (Ned Stark) had a clause in his contract that allowed him to sit down during long scenes due to a knee injury.
40. The Night King's makeup took six hours to apply, with actor Vladimir Furdik enduring the process for his chilling role.

Music and Sound

The music and sound design of Game of Thrones played a crucial role in creating its immersive atmosphere.

41. Ramin Djawadi composed the iconic theme music, which has become one of the most recognizable TV themes.
42. The "Light of the Seven" track, played during Cersei's destruction of the Great Sept, is the only piece in the series to feature piano.
43. The Dothraki language was created by linguist David J. Peterson, who also developed Valyrian for the show.
44. Sound designer Paula Fairfield used recordings of real animal sounds, including lions and tigers, to create the dragons' roars.
45. The "Rains of Castamere" song, associated with House Lannister, was performed by the band The National for the show.

Fan Theories and Speculations

Game of Thrones sparked countless fan theories and speculations throughout its run.

46. The theory that Jon Snow was the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, known as R+L=J, was confirmed in season six.
47. Some fans believed Tyrion Lannister was secretly a Targaryen, though this theory was never confirmed in the show.
48. The Azor Ahai prophecy, predicting a hero to defeat the White Walkers, led to much speculation about which character would fulfill it.
49. The Three-Eyed Raven's true identity and motives were a frequent topic of discussion among fans.
50. The Night King's connection to Bran Stark was a popular theory, with some suggesting Bran was the Night King himself.

Legacy and Future Projects

The legacy of Game of Thrones continues with new projects and spin-offs in development.

51. House of the Dragon, a prequel series focusing on House Targaryen, is set to explore the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
52. George R.R. Martin is working on the final two books of "A Song of Ice and Fire," titled "The Winds of Winter" and "A Dream of Spring."
53. Several other spin-offs, including "10,000 Ships" and "Tales of Dunk and Egg," are in various stages of development.
54. The Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Northern Ireland offers fans a chance to explore sets, costumes, and props from the series.
55. The show's impact on fantasy television has paved the way for other high-budget series, such as Amazon's "The Lord of the Rings" adaptation.

Memorable Quotes and Moments

Game of Thrones is filled with memorable quotes and moments that have left a lasting impression.

56. "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die." – Cersei Lannister
57. "I drink and I know things." – Tyrion Lannister
58. "The things I do for love." – Jaime Lannister
59. "Chaos is a ladder." – Petyr Baelish
60. "Dracarys." – Daenerys Targaryen

The Final Word on Game of Thrones Facts

Game of Thrones has left an indelible mark on pop culture. From its intricate plot twists to unforgettable characters, there's always something new to learn. Did you know that the Iron Throne was made from over 200 swords? Or that Arya Stark's direwolf, Nymeria, was named after a legendary warrior queen? These nuggets of trivia add layers to an already rich narrative. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, these facts enhance your appreciation of the series. So next time you rewatch an episode or discuss the show with friends, you'll have some cool tidbits to share. Game of Thrones may have ended, but its legacy lives on through these fascinating details. Keep exploring, and who knows what other secrets you might uncover?