Information

The first season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17, 2011, and concluded on June 19, 2011. It consists of ten episodes, each approximately 55 minutes long. The series is based on A Game of Thrones, the first novel in George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, adapted for television by David Benioff and DB Weiss. In November 2008, HBO ordered a television pilot; Shooting began the following year. However, it was considered unsatisfactory and was later reshot with some roles recast. In March 2010, HBO ordered the first season, which began filming in July 2010, primarily in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with additional filming in Malta.

The story takes place in a fantasy world, primarily on the continent of Westeros, with a storyline taking place on another continent, Essos. Like the novels, the season primarily focuses on the family of Eddard “Ned” Stark, the Warden of the North, who is said to be King’s Hand (chief advisor) to his longtime friend, King Robert Baratheon. Ned wants to find out who killed Jon Arryn, his predecessor. He uncovers dark secrets about the powerful Lannister family, including Robert’s queen, Cersei, which his predecessor died trying to reveal. This, after Robert’s death, leads to Ned’s arrest for treason. Ned’s eldest son Robb started a rebellion against the Lannisters. Ned is killed on the orders of King Joffrey Baratheon, Cersei’s tyrannical teenage son. Meanwhile, in Essos, the exiled Viserys Targaryen, son of the former king, forces his sister Daenerys to marry a Dothraki warlord in exchange for an army for his claim to the Iron Throne. The season ends with Viserys dead and Daenerys becoming the Mother of Dragons.

Game of Thrones features a large ensemble cast including established actors such as Sean Bean, Mark Addy, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey, Ian Glenn and Peter Dinklage. New actors like Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams were cast in the roles of the younger generation. Critics praised the show’s production values and cast; Dinklage’s portrayal of Tyrion Lannister received specific praise, as did Bean and Clarke, as well as Ramin Zawadi for the music. The first season won two of the thirteen Emmy Awards for which it was nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Dinklage) and Outstanding Lead Title Design. It was also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. US viewership grew by nearly 33% over the course of the season, from 2.2 million to over 3 million in the finale.

Cast And Characters

Main cast

Starring

Sean Bean as Eddard “Ned” Stark

Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister

Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen

Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont

Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen

Kit Harington as Jon Snow

Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark

Maisie Williams as Arya Stark

Richard Madden as Robb Stark

Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy

Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark

Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon

Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister

Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish

Also starring

Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo

Guest cast

The recurring actors listed here are those who appeared in season 1. They are listed by the region in which they first appear:

At and beyond the Wall

James Cosmo as Jeor Mormont

Peter Vaughan as Maester Aemon

Brian Fortune as Othell Yarwyck

Joseph Mawle as Benjen Stark

Owen Teale as Alliser Thorne

Francis Magee as Yoren

John Bradley as Samwell Tarly

Josef Altin as Pyp

Mark Stanley as Grenn

Luke McEwan as Rast

Rob Ostlere as Waymar Royce

Bronson Webb as Will

Dermot Keaney as Gared

In King’s Landing

Callum Wharry as Tommen Baratheon

Aimee Richardson as Myrcella Baratheon

Gethin Anthony as Renly Baratheon

Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle

Conleth Hill as Varys

Ian McElhinney as Barristan Selmy

Ian Beattie as Meryn Trant

David Michael Scott as Beric Dondarrion

Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell

Eugene Simon as Lancel Lannister

Wilko Johnson as Ilyn Payne

Conan Stevens as Gregor Clegane

Dominic Carter as Janos Slynt

Jefferson Hall as Hugh of the Vale

Miltos Yerolemou as Syrio Forel

Andrew Wilde as Tobho Mott

Joe Dempsie as Gendry

Eros Vlahos as Lommy Greenhands

Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie

In the North

Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark

Clive Mantle as Greatjon Umber

Steven Blount as Rickard Karstark

Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin

Ron Donachie as Rodrik Cassel

Jamie Sives as Jory Cassel

Susan Brown as Septa Mordane

Margaret John as Old Nan

Kristian Nairn as Hodor

Esmé Bianco as Ros

Natalia Tena as Osha

In the Riverlands

Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister

David Bradley as Walder Frey

Ian Gelder as Kevan Lannister

Jerome Flynn as Bronn

Emun Elliott as Marillion

Sibel Kekilli as Shae

Rhodri Hosking as Mycah

In the Vale

Lino Facioli as Robin Arryn

Kate Dickie as Lysa Arryn

Mark Lewis Jones as Shagga

In Essos

Roger Allam as Illyrio Mopatis

Dar Salim as Qotho

Elyes Gabel as Rakharo

Amrita Acharia as Irri

Roxanne McKee as Doreah

Mia Soteriou as Mirri Maz Duur

About

Starring	·         Sean Bean ·         Mark Addy ·         Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ·         Michelle Fairley ·         Lena Headey ·         Emilia Clarke ·         Iain Glen ·         Harry Lloyd ·         Kit Harington ·         Sophie Turner ·         Maisie Williams ·         Richard Madden ·         Alfie Allen ·         Isaac Hempstead Wright ·         Jack Gleeson ·         Rory McCann ·         Peter Dinklage ·         Aidan Gillen
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	10
Release
Original network	HBO
Original release	April 17 – June 19, 2011

 

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