Never before has it been so popular to be totally emerged in a fantasy series set in the Medieval period. Though following a hugely successful first series, Game of Thrones – based on the novel A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin – has attracted a cult-like following. This is due not only to the gripping and well-acted story line, brutal violence, and the vivid, borderline inappropriate nudity and sex, but also the amazing scenery. It has now been discovered that all of the above has been costing network HBO on average $6 Million an episode, with the pilot costing $10 Million.
Recently, E! Online did some research, and based on the location, props, acting etc, $6 Million really is a fair price considering the ratings the show has been receiving all over the world. HBO, however, is not unfamiliar with forking out serious dough to support its rising stars. Boardwalk Empire, for example, cost the network a head-spinning $18 Million for the pilot episode, and required a further $5 Million for every episode thereafter.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Co-creator David Benioff confessed that he “went down on bended knee [to HBO]: ‘Just this once. Please'”, to get even more money for the climax of season two, the Battle of Blackwater. He explained that network executives shot back, not with concerns of ratings, but concerns for the story itself: “You guys were able to do the first season successfully without major, big scale battles, [so] why does this one need to have one?”; though, the vision was shared by both parties and the funding was received.
Game of Thrones has officially committed to a third series, so it’s safe to say that none of our favourite characters are out of the woods yet. Featuring epic battles and, on average, 5.6 breasts per episode, I strongly suggest you jump on the bandwagon before anymore main characters die.
