The world of Westeros has had a huge 2026. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered on HBO on 18 January, and House of the Dragon season 3 ran from 21 June to 9 August, with a fourth and final season already ordered. It is the perfect moment to look back at the series that started it all.
Created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss from George R. R. Martin's novels, Game of Thrones became a global phenomenon and the most Emmy-decorated drama in history. Here is our guide, with tribute designs from our TV Series collection.
Game of Thrones Fact File
| Years aired | 17 April 2011 – 19 May 2019 |
|---|---|
| Creators | David Benioff and D. B. Weiss |
| Based on | A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin |
| Network | HBO |
| Seasons / episodes | 8 seasons, 73 episodes |
| Main cast | Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams |
| Music | Ramin Djawadi |
| Setting | The fictional continents of Westeros and Essos |
| Spin-offs | House of the Dragon (2022–), A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026–) |
Seasons
| Season/Year | Episodes | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2011) | 10 | Premiered 17 April 2011; Sean Bean leads as Eddard “Ned” Stark |
| Season 2 (2012) | 10 | Dubrovnik becomes King's Landing |
| Season 3 (2013) | 10 | “The Rains of Castamere”, one of TV's most talked-about episodes |
| Season 4 (2014) | 10 | The war for the Iron Throne deepens |
| Season 5 (2015) | 10 | First Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series |
| Season 6 (2016) | 10 | “Battle of the Bastards”; second Drama Series Emmy |
| Season 7 (2017) | 7 | A shorter run as the endgame approaches |
| Season 8 (2019) | 6 | Finale aired 19 May 2019; fourth Drama Series Emmy |
Each of the first six seasons ran to ten episodes, before the final two were shortened to seven and six, giving 73 episodes in all.
From Page to Screen
Benioff and Weiss adapted Martin's sprawling fantasy saga for HBO, but the 2009 pilot was poorly received at a private screening and largely reshot. The series premiered in April 2011 and quickly grew into one of the most-watched and most-discussed dramas on television.
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Westeros on Location
The production made its home in Belfast, starting at the Paint Hall studios and later Titanic Studios, with Northern Ireland's countryside providing much of the North. The walls of Dubrovnik in Croatia doubled for King's Landing from season two, while scenes beyond the Wall were shot on Icelandic glaciers. Spain and Malta also played their part.
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Moments That Stopped the World
Few shows have generated water-cooler talk like this. Season three's “The Rains of Castamere” left viewers reeling, while season six's “Battle of the Bastards” is widely celebrated as one of the show's very best.
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A World Still Growing
House of the Dragon launched in 2022, and its third season concluded on 9 August 2026. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, and has been renewed for a second season, due in 2027.
Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards
- 59 wins in total, a record for a drama series
- Outstanding Drama Series in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019
- Peter Dinklage: four wins for Outstanding Supporting Actor (2011, 2015, 2018, 2019)
Other Honours
- Peabody Award
- Three Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation
Behind the Scenes
Composer Ramin Djawadi wrote the show's instantly recognisable score. The final season alone won 12 Emmys at the September 2019 ceremony, sealing the show's record-breaking run.
FAQs
How many seasons of Game of Thrones are there?
There are eight seasons and 73 episodes, aired on HBO from 2011 to 2019.
When did Game of Thrones end?
The final episode aired on 19 May 2019.
Where was Game of Thrones filmed?
Mainly in Northern Ireland, with major location shoots in Croatia, Iceland, Spain and Malta.
How many Emmys did Game of Thrones win?
It won 59 Primetime Emmys, the most ever for a drama series.
Who created Game of Thrones?
David Benioff and D. B. Weiss created the series, based on George R. R. Martin's novels.
Is there a Game of Thrones spin-off?
Yes: House of the Dragon (from 2022) and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (from January 2026).
Shop the Game of Thrones Collection
Whichever house you swear by, these tribute designs are made for true fans of the realm.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Breaking Bad: Seasons, Cast, Emmys and the Story So Far and The Walking Dead: Seasons, Cast, Spin-offs and Legacy.
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