'Game of Thrones' gears up for a clash of kings

After a successful debut last year, critically acclaimed HBO Original Series “Game of Thrones” is back for a second season beginning April 21.  

 

The series is based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling epic fantasy book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire.” In Season 2, Westeros is on the brink of war as chronicled in the series’ second volume, “A Clash of Kings.”

 

Power vacuum

 

“We are going to see what happens when a power vacuum opens up and more than one person decide that they are the best person to fill it,” says producer D.B. Weiss. “That’s probably the simplest way to put the overarching thrust of Season 2.”  

Following the deaths of King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) and Hand of the King and Lord of Winterfell Eddard Stark (Sean Bean), the Iron Throne of Westeros is now occupied by Robert’s alleged heir, young Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson). He is guided by his mother, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), and his uncle, Tyrion Lannister (Emmy and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage), who serves as the new Hand of the King.

 

News spreads throughout Westeros that Joffrey is born of an incestuous relationship between the Queen and her twin brother Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and his claim to the Throne is challenged on several fronts.  

 

Stannis Baratheon (Stephen Dillane), Robert’s brother, believes himself the rightful heir, and Renly (Gethin Anthony), his youngest brother, believes the same. Robb Stark (Richard Madden), the new Lord of Winterfell, has taken Jaime Lannister captive as a bargaining chip to gain autonomy in the North from Joffrey’s rule. In the wastelands of the East, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) struggles to keep what remains of her khalasar alive, and plans for the day when she can begin her bid to take back the Throne with the help of her three dragons.

Unexpected success

 

No one was more surprised than executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss when “Game of Thrones” became a worldwide success.

 

“Looking back on it I’m kind of shocked that they trusted a show like this with two guys like us, you know!” Benioff recalls. “I mean we’re experienced with the writing but we’d never run a show before, never produced anything.”

 

The show’s appeal to a broad audience range—not just those who know of the books or who like fantasy in general—is probably one of the most significant factors that contributed to the show’s success.

 

“One of the things we were worried about was will anyone who hasn’t read the books care about this, or even understand what the hell’s going on? It’s a really complex storyline; there are so many different plots going through the episodes,” says Benioff. “So the fact that the fans seemed to, by and large, respond really positively, but also that we got so many non-readers, and that many people who are not normally interested in fantasy came on board, was very gratifying for both of us.”  

It also helps that author George R.R. Martin has given the series his stamp of approval by coming on board as a producer and consultant, as well as writing the script for one episode of each season so far. The series has since received two Emmy awards for Outstanding Main Title Design and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Peter Dinklage. He also received a Golden Globe award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

 

Season 2 of “Game of Thrones” features 10 episodes, which will air at 9 p.m. every Saturday, beginning on April 21 until June 23.

 

Angela Poh, communications manager of HBO Asia, also confirmed that the show has been renewed for a third season, which will largely be based on part of the third book, “A Storm of Swords.” –KG, GMA News