Game of Thrones
Everything you need to know about Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a fantasy epic based on the books by George R.R. Martin, and is often – and rightly – named among the greatest TV shows of all time.
Set in the fictional world of Westeros, formed of Seven Kingdoms, Game of Thrones chronicles the power battles between the noble families who are all fighting for the Iron Throne - and therefore rule over the entire continent.
Alliances are formed, tested and broken, betrayal is all too common, and bloodshed is a typical day for those involved in the battle for power.
That’s before you even take into account mysterious, supernatural enemies that threaten the peace of all who live in Westeros.
On the show, while there are nine families, there are three key houses in which everything unfolds around – the Lannisters, the Starks, and the Targaryens.
Game of Thrones features a huge British ensemble cast of A-list stars including Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister) Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark) and Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister).
Launching in April 2011, the supernatural fantasy became an immediate smash-hit around the world. The main series ran until May 2019.
What are the Seven Kingdoms of Game of Thrones and who runs them?
By the start of Game of Thrones, there were technically nine realms that made up Westeros.
The Seven Kingdoms are:
- The North: ruled by House Stark from Winterfell
- The Vale: ruled by House Arryn from the Eyrie
- The Iron Islands: ruled by House Greyjoy from Pyke
- The Riverlands: ruled by House Tully from Riverrun
- The Westerlands: ruled by House Lannister of Casterly Rock
- The Stormlands: ruled by House Baratheon of Storm’s End
- Dorne: ruled by House Martell from Sunspear
However, there are two more key regions that have become paramount to how Westeros is formed. These are:
- The Crownlands: A peninsula which is home to King’s Landing, but was never technically a sovereign kingdom. The Crownlands effectively works as the capital of Westeros, and is where the Iron Throne is located, and where the ruling House is situated. For nearly 300 years, it was home to House Targaryen, who lived in the Red Keep, however House Baratheon took possession when Robert I usurped the throne from ‘Mad’ King Aerys.
- The Reach: A former sovereign nation ruled over by House Tyrell from Castle Highgarden before the Conquest of King Aegon.
Who is in the cast of Game of Thrones and where have we seen them before?
There are officially nearly 200 named characters throughout the course of Game of Thrones. To make things even more complicated, some roles only appear a handful of times, but are fundamental characters in what motivates the other characters.
The cast members and characters who appear the most across all eight seasons are:
- Emilia Clarke (Me Before You, Secret Invasion) as Daenerys Targaryen
- Lena Headey (Gunpowder Milkshake, White House Plumbers) as Cersei Lannister
- Peter Dinklage (X-Men: Days of Future Past, I Care A Lot) as Tyrion Lannister
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Oblivion, Radioman) as Jaime Lannister
- Kit Harington (Gunpowder, Extrapolations, Criminal) as Jon Snow
- Maisie Williams (Pistol, Two Weeks to Live) as Arya Stark
- Sophie Turner (X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Staircase) as Sansa Stark
- Iain Glen (Silo, The Rig) as Ser Jorah Mormont
- John Bradley (The 3-Body Problem) as Samwell Tarly
Other notable A-list stars who have starred in the show include:
- Aidan Gillen (Peaky Blinders, The Wire) as Lord Petyr Baelish
- Richard Madden (Bodyguard, Eternals) as Robb Stark
- Charles Dance (Last Action Hero, The Crown) as Tywin Lannister
- Iwan Rheon (Misfits, Barbarians, American Gods) as Ramsay Bolton
- Alfie Allen (SAS Rogue Heroes, Jojo Rabbit) as Theon Greyjoy
- Gemma Whelan (Killing Eve, Gentleman Jack, Upstart Crow) as Yara Greyjoy
How successful is Game of Thrones and which awards has it won?
Game of Thrones was widely celebrated during its eight-year run – winning awards for every season without fail.
It maintains an impressive 9.2/10 rating on IMDb, as rated by 2.3 million users, making it the 13th highest rated TV show of all time on the site.
In total, the show was nominated for a staggering 757 statues across all awards bodies – winning 389 – most notably:
- 164 Primetime Emmys (winning 59)
- 22 SAG Awards (winning nine)
- 16 Television Critics Association Awards (winning three)
- 8 Golden Globes (winning one)
- 7 Critics Choice Awards (winning zero)
- 6 BAFTAs (winning one)
Game of Thrones holds the records at the Primetime Emmys, becoming the most celebrated fictional TV series ever and the highest number of wins for a series in a single year (12 out of 24).
What is the age rating of Game of Thrones?
Game of Thrones maintains a steady 18 rating throughout all eight seasons from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
This means the show has content they deem unsuitable for anyone who hasn’t reached the legal age of adulthood, with those under that age unable to purchase physical copies.
In the case of Game of Thrones, it has achieved this rating due to its explicit nature - with graphic violence, gore, nudity and sex present in nearly every episode in some capacity.
This includes depictions and inferences of rape and sexual assault, assault, battery, and bloodshed in war.
Game of Thrones is also known for its creative and violent kills, which over the course of the show varies from a warrior getting his tongue ripped out from his throat to someone’s head exploding under the crushing weight of the hands of a fighting opponent. Profanity is also used often.
How many episodes of Game of Thrones are there?
Game of Thrones ran for a total of eight seasons and 73 episodes in total.
The first six seasons had ten episodes a piece, with season seven running at a shorter seven-episode run, and the final season only six.
House of the Dragon is currently still airing, and at the time of writing (March 2024) has aired one season, equalling ten episodes.
Season two will air weekly from June 16, and will run for eight episodes.
Where can I watch Game of Thrones in the UK?
Game of Thrones is available exclusively in the UK on Sky Atlantic, Sky Go, and NOW.
Season two of House of the Dragon launches on June 16 on Sky Atlantic, and will be available the next day on NOW. You cannot watch either series on Netflix.
