Game of Thrones Season 8 is so close we can practically taste the snowflakes of winter, but do you know your Lord Varys from your Viserion? While George RR Martin’s Fantasy World legend is large enough to fill a small library, the legend behind the TV show is a bit more comprehensible, making it easier to impress fellow Thrones fans with interesting facts. nuggets of insightful information.
From the garbage pilot episode to the filming of that Ned Stark Scene in Game of Thrones Season 1, we’ve rounded up the best Game of Thrones trivia to upload to your account, just in time for Season 8, that will have you better understand the characters and stories behind one of the greatest shows on television. Read on and get ready for the return of one of the world’s greatest shows on April 14th.
1. George RR Martin cameo
The original, unseen Game of Thrones pilot featured a cameo from George RR Martin as the nobleman of Pentoshi. Unfortunately, his scene was cut from the final version of the pilot, which was drastically changed from its original form. He’s never appeared on the HBO show since, though he didn’t rule out an on-screen outing in the final season. To top it all off, he appears in this Funny Or Die parody of Game of Thrones, criticizing his own work and slow writing style.
2. Total number of deaths…
According to a great YT video, the death toll for Game of Thrones is 150,966. Oh my. This figure includes all estimated deaths in battles, as well as major and minor characters actually killed in the normal course of the show. The most prominent death scenes are the Battle of Blackwater Bay, the Battle of the Wall, and Hardhome, which inflate the numbers considerably.
3. Be more bean
It’s no surprise, but some actors hired for Game of Thrones season 1 to play the roles of Stark were asked to “talk like Sean Bean.” According to an interview, when viewers asked Bean if he could speak with another accent, he simply replied, “No.” Kit Harington was reportedly coached by the famous northern actor, who will play Ned Stark, and the couple bonded during the first season. Interestingly, none of Stark’s female roles were asked to take on bean-like accents.
4. On the head, Ned!
While filming the final episode of Season 1, Sean Bean and the rest of the cast played football with the head of Ned Stark. During a fan chat on Reddit after the Season 1 finale, Bean admits the cast had a little fun with the model of his detached head. When asked, “It was weird seeing your own face on set,” he replied, “It was kinda weird, yeah, kinda terrifying. We just played like a soccer ball!
5. House theft
Did you know that House Baratheon stole its banner and values from another house? According to Game of Thrones legend, a guy called Orys Baratheon took Storm’s End from House Durrandon centuries ago. Not only that, Orys also stole their sigil and house motto. Read all about Game of Thrones sigils and banners here.
6. Lying Lily
Lily Allen, the singer, lied about the role of Yara Greyjoy. Her brother, Alfie Allen, plays Theon Greyjoy and Lily claimed she was offered the role of Theon’s sister, Yara. Lily also claimed that she turned down the role because of the incest scenes between Yara and Theon. However, Alfie spoke to Vulture, quashing the rumor by stating, “The only thing I’m going to say about that is that it’s not true.” So, uh, that’s all he had to say.
7. Corruption in Westeros
Game of Thrones is the most popular ticket on television and many actors want a piece of the action. Although Jim Broadbent is the last big-name TV star to star (he plays Arch Maester in S7), many won’t have made it as far as the casting director. It’s not for lack of trying, though. One actor sent the Game of Thrones casting director a Stormtrooper with his face as please appearing on the show, while others sent personalized playing cards and even Kit Kats. Okaaaaaay.
8. Different Dany
Emilia Clark, who plays Daenerys, is now a household name. She’s the girl on the show and the one fans think is most likely to claim the Iron Throne. But did you know she wasn’t in the original pilot? She and Cait Stark were recast after the initial pilot, likely due to poor performances or ill-fitting personalities from the original cast. It’s hard to imagine Daenerys as anyone else, or Cait Stark without Michelle Fairley.
9. Band in some countries
Game of Thrones has become a magnet for musician cameos. Ed Sheeran has already appeared in Season 7 (singing a song for Arya) and Bastille (who will appear later in the run) will be available soon. Previously, the show has featured guest appearances from Sigur Ros, Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody, Mastadon, Coldplay’s Will Champion and Of Monsters And Men.
10. Blame the Driver
I’ve hinted at this before, but the original pilot episode really wasn’t very good. Although not many people have actually seen it, Game of Thrones hosts have talked about it in interviews. According to them, it was originally a scene depicting the deaths of Jon Arryn and Rickard and Brandon Stark (Ned’s older brother). Original director Tom McCarthy had his credit completely removed from the final version of Season 1, Episode 1.