Game of Thrones – Game of Thrones Cast
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 Walk 2010, HBO requested the main season, which started shooting in July 2010, principally in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with extra recording 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 novel, 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 closes with Viserys dead and Daenerys becoming the Mother of Winged serpents.
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 additionally designated for Exceptional Show Series. US viewership grew by nearly 33% over the course of the season, from 2.2 million to over 3 million in the finale.
Main Cast
The cast of “Game of Thrones” Season 1, which originally aired in 2011, included a talented ensemble of actors. Here are some of the main cast members and the characters they portrayed:
Sean Bean as Eddard “Ned” Stark
Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon
Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
Kit Harington as Jon Snow
Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark
Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
Richard Madden as Robb Stark
Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont
Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy
Aidan Gillen as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish
Jerome Flynn as Bronn
Conleth Hill as Varys
Rory McCann as Sandor “The Hound” Clegane
Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth
Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark
Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon
Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen
Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle
Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister
John Bradley as Samwell Tarly
Sibel Kekilli as Shae
These are some of the prominent characters from the first season of “Game of Thrones.” The series had an extensive ensemble cast, and many other actors appeared in various roles throughout the season.
Casting
On May 5, 2009, it was announced that Peter Dinklage had signed on to play Tyrion Lannister in the pilot, with Tom McCarthy set to direct. On July 19, 2009, several more casting decisions were announced, including giving Sean Bean the role of Ned Stark. Other actors signed on for the pilot are Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon, Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen and Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon.
At the beginning of August 2009, it was revealed that Catelyn Stark will be portrayed by Jennifer Ehle. On August 20, further casting was announced, including Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister and Tamzin Merchant as Daenerys Targaryen, as well as Richard Madden as Robb Stark, Ian Glenn as Ser Jorah Mormont, Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy, Sophie Turner as Sansa Obvious. and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. On September 1 Lena Headey was declared as Cersei Lannister. On 23 September, Martin confirmed that Rory McCann had been cast as Sandor Clegane. On October 14, Isaac Hempstead-Wright was confirmed as Bran Stark, three days later Jason Momoa was announced as Khal Drogo.
After the pilot was shot and the series began, it was announced that the role of Caitlin had been recast, replacing Michelle Fairley Ehle. Afterward, it was likewise affirmed that Emilia Clarke would supplant Tamzin Vendor as Daenerys. The rest of the cast was filled out in the second half of the year, and included Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister, Aidan Gillen as Petty ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish, and Conleth Hill as Varys.
Ratings
See also: Game of Thrones § Viewer numbers
The first episode attracted 2.2 million viewers during its initial broadcast on April 17 in the United States,[90] and a total of 5.4 million viewers across multiple Sunday and Monday night broadcasts. It averaged 743,000 and peaked at 823,000 in the UK and Ireland during its April 18 premiere. HBO has announced that they will commission a second season on the strength of the premiere episode’s reception. Ratings grew to over 3 million by the season finale, which aired on June 20.[95]