There is no doubt that Game of Thrones has been one of the most spectacular success stories of recent years. According to reports, filming on the eighth series has now ended. Numerous leaks from the filming have led to feverish speculation on sites such as Mashable about what the future holds in store for the residents of Westeros and Essos now.
Yet, as well as looking ahead, this is also a good moment to look back at just how big Game of Thrones has become since first crashing onto our screens back in 2011. Since then, millions of viewers all around the planet have been hooked on this fascinating, violent, and sometimes funny series. So, what has happened so far, and how much of a following does this series now have?
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The Story So Far?
You probably already realize that Game of Thrones is based on a series of epic novels by George R.R. Martin called “A Song of Fire and Ice.†The TV show isn’t a straight re-working of these books, though. Instead, it is a loose adaption that is based on the original plots rather than slavishly following them. The success of the TV series has increased interest in these books, with sales now at over 70 million.
The seven seasons that we have seen so far have produced some thrilling moments and a huge amount of talking points. From a horse being beheaded in the first season to Theon Greyjoy’s grisly treatment in season three, and on to Arya killing the Freys in the seventh season, this has been a genuine roller-coaster of a show. The most memorable moments have provoked a great deal of debate and boosted the profile of the show immensely.
Season seven ended in typically intriguing fashion. This lighthearted recap from Vanity Fair gives you a chance to catch up if you missed this last season. Things are nicely poised for the eighth and final season. How will the drama and intrigue that has captured our imagination for the last few years finally come to an end?
The premiere of season 8 has been confirmed by HBO as arriving to our screens in 2019, so there is a bit longer to wait before seeing what happens next. Meanwhile, a data scientist named Taylor Larkin used a complex algorithm to work out that there is an 83.77% chance of Daenerys Targaryen dying and a 72.91% possibility of Jaime Lannister meeting his end in this series – we’re champing at the bit.
Merchandising Galore
The runaway success of Game of Thrones has, unsurprisingly, led to a huge amount of merchandising deals that bring a staggering variety of products to fans who are eager to experience the show in their everyday lives. Some of the most popular items in this vast range have been T-shirts, mugs, masks, figures, coins, and tumblers.
The brand has also appeared in the world of gaming as well. Winterfell and other iconic settings have featured in mobile games, MMO titles, and text-based adventures. Microgaming has also released a slots game described by Betway Casino as an “immersive†take on the theme. Among the many video games are Game of Thrones Ascent and Game of Thrones: Conquest, where players can become a Lord in Westeros.
Special dates such as Mother’s Day tend to see the show’s merchandising heavily marketed, and even Amazon is selling Father’s Day clothing. There is also a Live Concert Experience tour featuring music from composer Ramin Djawadi. Naturally, the Blu-Rays and DVDs have proved to be popular purchases, becoming the UK’s fastest-selling box set in more than 10 years.
Viewing Figures and Awards for the Television Show to Date
Game of Thrones has received public approval and critical acclaim right from the very start. Viewing figures have risen steadily over the course of each season, as new viewers who have been attracted see what all the fuss is about. The premiere of the first season was watched by over two million people in the US, but by the season finale, the audience had grown to more than three million.
The finale to season 7 drew an incredible 16.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched show in the history of the series. With so many people looking forward eagerly to the final season, it is likely that the eighth installment of the show goes on to break even more records next year. Internationally, it is now shown in more than 170 countries.
In terms of awards, the show has gathered numerous AFI Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, Emmy Awards, and a host of other prizes from all over the world. As for the actors, Peter Dinklage leads the way with two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe at the time of writing. It seems certain that the final season will add more trophies to this haul.
The worldwide success of Game of Thrones marks it out as one of the iconic TV shows of this generation. If the final season is as exciting as what has gone before, then we can look forward to plenty of thrills when it hits our screens in 2019.
