Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stark choice As the final season starts tomorrow, how Game of Thrones grew to become a global sensation
FIRED UP Dragons at the ready AT last, the final series of Game of Thrones is here, and it is set to be one of the biggest TV events in history.
Millions will tune in tomorrow to watch the battle for the Iron Throne as HBO’s fantasy epic enters its eighth thrilling season.
Game of Thrones began as a series of books written by George RR Martin but became a cultural juggernaut, with fans captivated by tales of dragons, giants, white walkers and witches.
Martin’s first book, A Song of Ice and Fire, was published in 1996, and David Benioff and DB Weiss adapted it for telly in 2011.
Audiences did not instantly fall for the show and early seasons were marred by controversy over the amount of nudity and sexual violence against women.
But it did not scare people off. And it was a particularly gory episode that finally hooked viewers – the beheading of Ned Stark, played by Sean Bean, 59.
Two seasons later, Ned’s wife Catelyn, his son Robb and his pregnant wife Talisa were bumped off in a scene so bloody it was known as the Red Wedding.
When Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, 32, was knifed several times in the season five finale, fans were forced to wait almost a year until he was revived by a witch.
Benioff and Weiss put the show’s THRONE TOGETHER fans are now placing bets on who will live to see the end credits and who will be left sitting on the Iron Throne, ruling all seven kingdoms.
Jon Snow and Daenerys, played by Emilia Clarke, 32, are front runners. And they have Peter Dinklage, 39, who is fans’ favourite Tyrion Lannister, on their side.
But first they will need to get past the icy Queen Cersei, played by Lena Headey, 45, who is one of many on angry Arya’s kill list.
The ending is top secret – security was stepped up after HBO was hit by a cyber attack, with parts of the script leaked online.
But with budgets clearing £8million a show, jaw-dropping special effects and loose ends tied up in gory fashion, fans will relish every minute getting there.
Episodes have been shot everywhere from Iceland to Morocco but most were filmed in Northern Ireland, where the GoT economy is worth £150million.
The series will air in the UK on Sky Atlantic from 2am tomorrow. All six episodes are expected to surpass the billion viewer mark.
After an agonising two-year wait for fans, winter is finally here.
HELLO KITTIES
Visit me at: facebook.com/jamiebreesetv email me: j.breese@sundaymirror.co.uk Jamie cannot respond to all letters personally
To claim
01420 525501
01 868 8620