Game of Thrones (season 1)
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 |