A reason to be curious

Why it may suit you.

Choose it for a large completed story in which family loyalty and political calculation continually overlap. The many viewpoints reward viewers who enjoy keeping track of alliances and competing interests. Its scale also makes it a substantial commitment, best approached as an extended ensemble drama.

Epic fantasyPolitical rivalriesCompleted series

Three ways into a very large world

The struggle for the Iron Throne supplies the most visible contest, but it is only one route through Game of Thrones. Noble families seek advantage within Westeros, an exiled claimant looks towards a return from Essos, and the Night's Watch faces responsibilities on the northern frontier. Those perspectives make the priorities of any single court look incomplete.

Family is both a source of protection and a political arrangement. A marriage, a name or an inherited obligation can carry consequences across a kingdom. The series' scale is easier to approach when you first identify what a character owes to their family, then consider what that duty costs them personally. You do not have to memorise every place name immediately.

The ensemble and the source novels

Peter Dinklage plays Tyrion Lannister, Lena Headey plays Cersei Lannister and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau plays Jaime Lannister. Emilia Clarke portrays Daenerys Targaryen, while Kit Harington plays Jon Snow. The Stark family includes Sean Bean as Ned, Sophie Turner as Sansa and Maisie Williams as Arya, among a much larger ensemble.

David Benioff and D. B. Weiss created the television adaptation from George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books. The show tells its own completed screen story. Reading the novels is optional, and book knowledge should not be assumed to make every detail of the adaptation predictable.

A first-time viewing plan

Begin with season one and follow the main series through in broadcast order. The prequel programmes explore earlier periods but are separate productions; inserting them into the middle of a first viewing is unnecessary. Character biographies and family trees can disclose major revelations, so a spoiler-conscious viewer is better served by learning the relationships as they appear.

This is a substantial adult fantasy commitment involving war, sexual content and graphic violence. It may suit viewers who want several competing viewpoints rather than a single straightforward heroic journey. Beyond asking who will gain power, consider what kind of rule each claimant imagines, who would benefit from it and whether the wider dangers leave time for the political contest at all.

The essentials

Series facts.

Release year: 2011
Series premiere: 17 Apr 2011
Format: Scripted
Genres: Adventure · Drama · Fantasy
Creator: David Benioff, D. B. Weiss
Typical episode: About 60 minutes
Original language: English
Series status: Ended
Final original broadcast: 19 May 2019
Based on: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
Story world: Westeros and Essos
Original series run: 2011–2019
Series format: Completed serialised fantasy drama

Series format, language and status: TVmaze. Original dates may differ from a release in your country.

People behind the story

Cast & characters.

Credited performers across the series. Cast and roles can change between seasons.

Peter Dinklageas Tyrion Lannister
Kit Haringtonas Jon Snow
Lena Headeyas Queen Cersei Lannister / Cersei Lannister
Emilia Clarkeas Daenerys Targaryen
Sophie Turneras Sansa Stark
Maisie Williamsas Arya Stark
Nikolaj Coster-Waldauas Ser Jaime Lannister / Jaime Lannister
Iain Glenas Ser Jorah Mormont
Alfie Allenas Theon Greyjoy
John Bradleyas Samwell Tarly
Conleth Hillas Lord Varys
Aidan Gillenas Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish

See 30 more credited performers

Gwendoline Christieas Brienne of Tarth
Liam Cunninghamas Davos Seaworth
Isaac Hempstead-Wrightas Bran Stark
Nathalie Emmanuelas Missandei
Rory McCannas Sandor Clegane
Jerome Flynnas Bronn
Jacob Andersonas Grey Worm
Kristofer Hivjuas Tormund Giantsbane
Carice van Houtenas Melisandre
Charles Danceas Lord Tywin Lannister
Natalie Dormeras Margaery Tyrell
Jack Gleesonas Prince Joffrey Baratheon
Hannah Murrayas Gilly
Michelle Fairleyas Lady Catelyn Stark
Dean Charles Chapmanas Tommen Baratheon
Joe Dempsieas Gendry
Stephen Dillaneas Stannis Baratheon
Richard Maddenas Robb Stark
Michael McElhattonas Lord Roose Bolton
Michiel Huismanas Daario Naharis
Sibel Kekillias Shae
Iwan Rheonas Ramsay Snow
Tom Wlaschihaas Jaqen H'ghar
Rose Leslieas Ygritte
Indira Varmaas Ellaria Sand
Jonathan Pryceas High Sparrow
Sean Beanas Lord Eddard Stark / Ned Stark
James Cosmoas Lord Commander Jeor Mormont
Mark Addyas King Robert Baratheon
Harry Lloydas Viserys Targaryen

Cast data includes credits from TVmaze, under CC BY-SA 4.0, grouped and reformatted for this guide. Additional credits are documented in the editorial sources.

Plan your watch

Seasons & episodes.

8 listed seasons73 released episodes12 specials

Browse every listed season and episode. Dates refer to the original release; the catalogue in your selected country may differ.

Season 12011 · 10 listed episodes · 1 specialComplete

Premiere: 17 Apr 2011. Finale: 19 Jun 2011. 10 released regular episodes of 10 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 1: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	Winter is Coming	17 Apr 2011	60 min
02	The Kingsroad	24 Apr 2011	60 min
03	Lord Snow	1 May 2011	60 min
04	Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things	8 May 2011	60 min
05	The Wolf and the Lion	15 May 2011	60 min
06	A Golden Crown	22 May 2011	60 min
07	You Win or You Die	29 May 2011	60 min
08	The Pointy End	5 Jun 2011	60 min
09	Baelor	12 Jun 2011	60 min
10	Fire and Blood	19 Jun 2011	60 min
SP	Inside Game of ThronesSpecial	5 Dec 2010	11 min

Season 22012 · 10 listed episodes · 1 specialComplete

Premiere: 1 Apr 2012. Finale: 3 Jun 2012. 10 released regular episodes of 10 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 2: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	The North Remembers	1 Apr 2012	60 min
02	The Night Lands	8 Apr 2012	60 min
03	What is Dead May Never Die	15 Apr 2012	60 min
04	Garden of Bones	22 Apr 2012	60 min
05	The Ghost of Harrenhal	29 Apr 2012	60 min
06	The Old Gods and the New	6 May 2012	60 min
07	A Man Without Honor	13 May 2012	60 min
08	The Prince of Winterfell	20 May 2012	60 min
09	Blackwater	27 May 2012	60 min
10	Valar Morghulis	3 Jun 2012	60 min
SP	You Win or You DieSpecial	25 Mar 2012	60 min

Season 32013 · 10 listed episodes · 1 specialComplete

Premiere: 31 Mar 2013. Finale: 9 Jun 2013. 10 released regular episodes of 10 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 3: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	Valar Dohaeris	31 Mar 2013	60 min
02	Dark Wings, Dark Words	7 Apr 2013	60 min
03	Walk of Punishment	14 Apr 2013	60 min
04	And Now His Watch is Ended	21 Apr 2013	60 min
05	Kissed by Fire	28 Apr 2013	60 min
06	The Climb	5 May 2013	60 min
07	The Bear and the Maiden Fair	12 May 2013	60 min
08	Second Sons	19 May 2013	60 min
09	The Rains of Castamere	2 Jun 2013	60 min
10	Mhysa	9 Jun 2013	60 min
SP	A Gathering StormSpecial	8 Mar 2013	60 min

Season 42014 · 10 listed episodes · 1 specialComplete

Premiere: 6 Apr 2014. Finale: 15 Jun 2014. 10 released regular episodes of 10 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 4: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	Two Swords	6 Apr 2014	60 min
02	The Lion and the Rose	13 Apr 2014	60 min
03	Breaker of Chains	20 Apr 2014	60 min
04	Oathkeeper	27 Apr 2014	60 min
05	First of His Name	4 May 2014	60 min
06	The Laws of Gods and Men	11 May 2014	60 min
07	Mockingbird	18 May 2014	60 min
08	The Mountain and the Viper	1 Jun 2014	60 min
09	The Watchers on the Wall	8 Jun 2014	60 min
10	The Children	15 Jun 2014	60 min
SP	Ice and Fire: A ForeshadowingSpecial	9 Feb 2014	60 min

Season 52015 · 10 listed episodes · 1 specialComplete

Premiere: 12 Apr 2015. Finale: 14 Jun 2015. 10 released regular episodes of 10 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 5: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	The Wars to Come	12 Apr 2015	60 min
02	The House of Black and White	19 Apr 2015	60 min
03	High Sparrow	26 Apr 2015	60 min
04	Sons of the Harpy	3 May 2015	60 min
05	Kill the Boy	10 May 2015	60 min
06	Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken	17 May 2015	60 min
07	The Gift	24 May 2015	60 min
08	Hardhome	31 May 2015	60 min
09	The Dance of Dragons	7 Jun 2015	60 min
10	Mother's Mercy	14 Jun 2015	60 min
SP	A Day in the LifeSpecial	8 Feb 2015	60 min

Season 62016 · 10 listed episodes · 3 specialsComplete

Premiere: 24 Apr 2016. Finale: 26 Jun 2016. 10 released regular episodes of 10 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 6: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	The Red Woman	24 Apr 2016	60 min
02	Home	1 May 2016	60 min
03	Oathbreaker	8 May 2016	60 min
04	Book of the Stranger	15 May 2016	60 min
05	The Door	22 May 2016	60 min
06	Blood of My Blood	29 May 2016	60 min
07	The Broken Man	5 Jun 2016	60 min
08	No One	12 Jun 2016	60 min
09	Battle of the Bastards	19 Jun 2016	60 min
10	The Winds of Winter	26 Jun 2016	69 min
SP	Inside Game of Thrones - The Best Seat in the HouseSpecial	29 Feb 2016	5 min
SP	Inside Game of Thrones - ProstheticsSpecial	29 Mar 2016	4 min
SP	18 Hours at the Paint HallSpecial	3 Jul 2016	30 min

Season 72017 · 7 listed episodes · 2 specialsComplete

Premiere: 16 Jul 2017. Finale: 27 Aug 2017. 7 released regular episodes of 7 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 7: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	Dragonstone	16 Jul 2017	60 min
02	Stormborn	23 Jul 2017	60 min
03	The Queen's Justice	30 Jul 2017	60 min
04	The Spoils of War	6 Aug 2017	60 min
05	Eastwatch	13 Aug 2017	60 min
06	Beyond the Wall	20 Aug 2017	60 min
07	The Dragon and the Wolf	27 Aug 2017	60 min
SP	The Story So FarSpecial	13 Jul 2017	65 min
SP	Conquest & Rebellion: An Animated History of the Seven KingdomsSpecial	12 Dec 2017	45 min

Season 82019 · 6 listed episodes · 2 specialsComplete

Premiere: 14 Apr 2019. Finale: 19 May 2019. 6 released regular episodes of 6 ordered.

Game of Thrones Season 8: original episode titles, first air dates and runtimes
No.	Episode	First release	Length
01	Winterfell	14 Apr 2019	60 min
02	A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms	21 Apr 2019	60 min
03	The Long Night	28 Apr 2019	90 min
04	The Last of the Starks	5 May 2019	78 min
05	The Bells	12 May 2019	79 min
06	The Iron Throne	19 May 2019	80 min
SP	Greatest MomentsDate TBASpecial	Date to be announced	120 min
SP	The Last WatchSpecial	26 May 2019	120 min

Season, episode and cast data from TVmaze. Selected and reformatted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Download this series dataset. Unannounced dates and titles remain open.

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Sources behind this guide.

Our story introductions and viewing notes are written for WhoStreamsIt using the factual sources below. They offer spoiler-light context to help you choose your next watch.

Wikipedia ↗premise, adaptation, creators, first release, book adaptation, story world, completed run, cast roles
Rotten Tomatoes ↗premise, cast, genres, principal cast roles, series identity, genre
TVmaze ↗Season and episode list, cast, series metadata · CC BY-SA 4.0

Included using FlixPatrol: Apple TV Store worldwide TV chart · position 10 in that source. This is not a worldwide cross-platform ranking.