History of Game of Thrones in Timeline

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Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones, created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, is an American fantasy drama television series on HBO, adapted from George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' novels. Premiering in 2011 and concluding in 2019 after eight seasons and 73 episodes, the show is a sprawling saga of noble families vying for control of the Iron Throne and the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Plotlines involve political intrigue, complex characters, war, and supernatural threats including the White Walkers. Key elements include family rivalries, alliances, betrayals, and the constant struggle for power amid a morally ambiguous landscape. The series became a global phenomenon, known for its elaborate production, intricate storytelling, and shocking plot twists.

2005: Lev Grossman calls Martin the "American Tolkien"

In 2005, journalist Lev Grossman called George R. R. Martin the "American Tolkien" in Time magazine, following the release of 'A Feast for Crows'.

George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set (Song of Ice and Fire Series) (A Song of Ice and Fire)
George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set (Song of Ice and Fire Series) (A Song of Ice and Fire)

January 2006: Benioff and Weiss Pitch Series to HBO

In January 2006, David Benioff read 'A Game of Thrones', shared it with D. B. Weiss, and they pitched a television series adaptation to HBO after a five-hour meeting with George R. R. Martin.

January 2007: Series Development Begins

In January 2007, development of the Game of Thrones television series began after HBO acquired the rights to 'A Song of Ice and Fire' novels.

George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set (Song of Ice and Fire Series) (A Song of Ice and Fire)
George R. R. Martin's A Game of Thrones 5-Book Boxed Set (Song of Ice and Fire Series) (A Song of Ice and Fire)

August 2007: First Draft of Pilot Script Submitted

In August 2007, the first draft of the Game of Thrones pilot script by Benioff and Weiss was submitted.

June 2008: Second Draft of Pilot Script Submitted

In June 2008, the second draft of the Game of Thrones pilot script by Benioff and Weiss was submitted to HBO.

November 2008: HBO Orders Pilot Episode

In November 2008, HBO ordered the pilot episode of Game of Thrones after reviewing both drafts of the script.

2008: Growth in Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Jobs

Starting in 2008, Northern Ireland's creative industries were boosted by the production of Game of Thrones, contributing to an estimated 12.4 percent growth in arts, entertainment, and recreation jobs between 2008 and 2013.

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2009: Peter Dinklage and Sean Bean Join the Pilot

In 2009, Peter Dinklage and Sean Bean joined the Game of Thrones pilot. Other actors were also signed and some characters were recast for the first season.

2009: Pilot Episode 'Winter Is Coming' Shot

In 2009, the pilot episode 'Winter Is Coming' for Game of Thrones was shot but later required extensive reshoots.

July 26, 2010: Principal Photography Begins

On July 26, 2010, principal photography for the first season of Game of Thrones began, primarily at the Paint Hall Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

April 17, 2011: Game of Thrones Premieres on HBO

On April 17, 2011, Game of Thrones, adapted from George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' novels, premiered on HBO in the United States.

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November 2011: Filming in Iceland

In November 2011, scenes set north of the Wall in Game of Thrones were filmed in Iceland on the Vatnajökull, Svínafellsjökull, and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers.

June 11, 2012: Game of Thrones Season Two Ratings

On June 11, 2012, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Two Ratings.

2012: Average Budget Per Episode Increases

Between 2012 and 2015, the average budget per episode of Game of Thrones increased from $6 million to at least $8 million.

2012: Game of Thrones Ranks Second in Deaths per Episode

In a 2012 study, Game of Thrones ranked second in deaths per episode among 40 recent television drama shows, averaging 14 deaths per episode.

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June 12, 2013: Game of Thrones Season Three Ratings

On June 12, 2013, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Three Ratings.

2013: Growth in Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Jobs

Between 2008 and 2013, the production of Game of Thrones boosted Northern Ireland's creative industries, contributing to an estimated 12.4 percent growth in arts, entertainment, and recreation jobs.

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June 18, 2014: Game of Thrones Season Four Ratings

On June 18, 2014, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Four Ratings.

2014: Increase in Hotel Bookings in Iceland

Between 2014 and 2016, Hotels.com reported hotel bookings increased by 285 percent in Iceland after the country appeared in Game of Thrones.

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2014: Actor Contract Renegotiations

In 2014, contracts for several Game of Thrones actors were renegotiated to include a seventh-season option.

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June 16, 2015: Game of Thrones Season Five Ratings

On June 16, 2015, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Five Ratings.

July 2015: Sixth Season Filming Begins

Filming for the sixth season of Game of Thrones began in July 2015, returning to Spain and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

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2015: Average Budget Per Episode Increases

Between 2012 and 2015, the average budget per episode of Game of Thrones increased from $6 million to at least $8 million.

2015: Outstanding Drama Series Emmy Award

In 2015, Game of Thrones received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, marking the first of its four wins in this category.

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April 2016: Showrunners Plan Final Episodes

In April 2016, the showrunners of Game of Thrones planned to shoot 13 more episodes after the sixth season: seven for the seventh season and six for the eighth season.

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April 24, 2016: Game of Thrones Season Six Ratings

On April 24, 2016, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Six Ratings.

June 2016: Eighth Season Announced as Final Season

In June 2016, HBO announced that the eighth season of Game of Thrones would be the final season for the series.

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June 28, 2016: Game of Thrones Season Six Ratings

On June 28, 2016, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Six Ratings.

August 31, 2016: Filming of Season Seven Begins

On August 31, 2016, filming for the seven episodes of the seventh season of Game of Thrones began at Titanic Studios in Belfast.

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2016: Outstanding Drama Series Emmy Award

In 2016, Game of Thrones won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

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2016: Increase in Hotel Bookings

In 2016, Hotels.com reported hotel bookings increased by 120 percent in Dubrovnik and doubled in Ouarzazate, Morocco after they appeared in Game of Thrones.

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February 2017: Filming of Season Seven Concludes

Filming of the seven episodes of season seven of Game of Thrones concluded at the end of February 2017, after continuing as necessary to ensure winter weather in some European locations.

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August 29, 2017: Game of Thrones Season Seven Ratings

On August 29, 2017, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Seven Ratings.

October 2017: Filming for Season Eight Begins

Filming for season eight of Game of Thrones began in October 2017.

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June 8, 2018: HBO Commissions Game of Thrones Prequel Pilot

On June 8, 2018, HBO commissioned a pilot for a Game of Thrones prequel series from Goldman and Martin. The prequel was to take place in the Age of Heroes.

July 2018: Filming for Season Eight Concludes

Filming for season eight of Game of Thrones concluded in July 2018.

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September 2018: HBO president comments on the prequels

In September 2018, HBO president of programming Casey Bloys mentioned that some of the Game of Thrones prequel projects had been abandoned, while others remained as possibilities for the future. Martin added that at least two of them were solidly based on material in Fire & Blood.

2018: Study on Character Deaths

A scientific study conducted in 2018 stated that approximately 60% of the major characters in Game of Thrones died due to violence and war.

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2018: Outstanding Drama Series Emmy Award

In 2018, Game of Thrones won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

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April 2019: Cogman's prequel would not be moving forward

In April 2019, Cogman confirmed that his prequel would not be moving forward.

April 2019: Game of Thrones Studio Tour Announced

In April 2019, following the series finale, HBO announced a Game of Thrones Studio Tour to be located at Linen Mill Studios outside Belfast.

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April 16, 2019: Game of Thrones Season Eight Ratings

On April 16, 2019, TV Series Finale posted the Game of Thrones Season Eight Ratings.

May 2019: Two Prequel Projects Edging Closer

In May 2019, George R.R. Martin announced that two of the prequel projects were in the script stage and were "edging closer" to production.

May 19, 2019: Game of Thrones Concludes on HBO

On May 19, 2019, Game of Thrones concluded its run on HBO after eight seasons and 73 episodes.

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September 2019: Second Prequel Close to Pilot Order

In September 2019, Deadline Hollywood reported that a second prequel from Martin and Ryan Condal that "tracks the beginning of the end for House Targaryen" was close to receiving a pilot order from HBO.

September 2019: Pilot in Post-Production

In September 2019, Martin claimed that the Game of Thrones prequel pilot was in post-production.

October 2019: HBO Decides Not to Move Forward with Prequel Series

In October 2019, HBO decided not to move forward with the Game of Thrones prequel series pilot.

October 29, 2019: House of the Dragon Commissioned as a Complete Series

On October 29, 2019, the prequel titled House of the Dragon was commissioned as a complete series. The 10-episode series is to be based on material from Fire and Blood.

2019: Outstanding Drama Series Emmy Award

In 2019, Game of Thrones received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

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2019: HBO Converts Filming Locations to Tourist Attractions

In 2019, after filming finished, HBO converted Game of Thrones filming locations in Northern Ireland into tourist attractions, drawing approximately 350,000 visitors annually.

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January 2020: House of the Dragon Scheduled for 2022 Release

In January 2020, HBO stated that House of the Dragon is scheduled for a 2022 release and that the writing process has begun.

July 2020: Casting for House of the Dragon Started

Casting for the House of the Dragon series started in July 2020.

October 2020: Paddy Considine Cast as King Viserys I Targaryen

In October 2020, it was revealed that Paddy Considine was cast as King Viserys I Targaryen in House of the Dragon.

December 2020: Additional Castings Announced for House of the Dragon

In December 2020, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, and Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen were announced to be starring in House of the Dragon.

January 2021: Adult Animated Spin-off Series Announced

In January 2021, it was announced that an adult animated spin-off series was in development at HBO Max.

January 2021: Tales of Dunk and Egg Prequel Series in Development

In January 2021, it was revealed that HBO were developing another prequel series to be based on Martin's novella series Tales of Dunk and Egg.

February 2021: Production Start and More Castings Confirmed for House of the Dragon

In February 2021, HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys stated that production of House of the Dragon would start in April, with filming occurring in England. In the same month, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Rhys Ifans, and Sonoya Mizuno were confirmed to also be starring in the series.

March 2021: Three Game of Thrones Spin-offs in Development

In March 2021, it was reported that three Game of Thrones spin-offs were in development at HBO, including 10,000 Ships, 9 Voyages aka The Sea Snake, and a project based on Flea Bottom.

July 2021: Two More Animated Series in Development

In July 2021, two more animated series were in development at HBO Max, one being set in Yi Ti, a nation in Essos loosely based on Imperial China. The working title is The Golden Empire.

November 2021: Steven Conrad Attached to Tales of Dunk and Egg

In November 2021, Steven Conrad was attached as writer and executive producer of the Tales of Dunk and Egg series.

March 2022: House of the Dragon Premiere Date and Teaser Trailer Released

In March 2022, HBO announced a series premiere date of August 21, 2022, for House of the Dragon, followed by the release of the official teaser trailer.

June 2022: Jon Snow Sequel Series in Development

In June 2022, it was reported that a Jon Snow sequel series with Kit Harington to reprise his role was in early development at HBO. The working title was Snow and Martin confirmed his involvement with the project and that Harington initiated the idea.

August 21, 2022: House of the Dragon Series Premiere

On August 21, 2022, House of the Dragon series premiered.

2022: House of the Dragon Premieres

In 2022, House of the Dragon, a prequel series to Game of Thrones, premiered on HBO.

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April 2023: HBO Orders A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to series

In April 2023, HBO ordered A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to series.

April 2023: Aegon Targaryen Series in Development

In April 2023, it was reported that a series based on Aegon Targaryen's conquest of Westeros was in development.

December 2023: The Sea Snake Developed as Animated Series

In December 2023, it was announced that The Sea Snake is being developed as an animated series, having been previously announced as a live action series.

April 2024: Jon Snow Sequel Series Shelved

In April 2024, Kit Harington stated the Jon Snow sequel series had been shelved because they could not find a story that excited them enough.

2026: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Scheduled to Debut

In 2026, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, another prequel series, is scheduled to debut.

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