'Game of Thrones' Creators Reveal Behind-The-Scenes Details from the Show

Exclusive details about the hit series “Game of Thrones” had the show’s fans in disbelief and some in disappointment.

After the tremendous success of HBO’s series “Game of Thrones,” the men behind the scenes have been somewhat pressured to please their audience and leave a gastronomical impact in every episode.

However, with its mounting fan base that reached a staggering amount through the years, every detail about the show is left with either a criticism.

Since the show came to an end with its season eight finale, behind-the-scenes secrets have been revealed by the showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who were both put under the spotlight at the recent Austin Film Festival.

Both men worked behind the script of “Game of Thrones” and adapted George R. R. Martin’s fantasy book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” into the show.

Those who know of the book may have seen the resemblance while watching the show, but as time passed and ideas from Martin’s work were exhausted, fans started to believe that the showrunners missed the message of the book, which upset them.

To add fuel to the fire, Benioff and Weiss’ panel interview at the film festival threw off some fans after hearing of their revelations and anecdotes that simply threw the two under the bus.

The two stayed away from interviews and social media since “Game of Thrones” premiered its final season, even watching the finale from their homes rather than in a celebratory event.

Hence, the recent panel which behind-the-scenes secrets were made public caused a lot of commotion among the show’s fans.

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

Benioff and Weiss did not conceal the fact that they took on the show inexperienced, without prior work on television; in fact, it came as a shock to the two that they were hired for the job.

They revealed their level of nervousness reached the ceiling during the pitch with HBO “because of how bad we wanted.”

Some fans were not impressed upon hearing this because it seemed like they were chosen based on privilege instead or experience and talent.

Additionally, Benioff revealed the first time he met Martin to ask permission about adapting his ideas to the show. The author was reportedly hesitant at first as “they didn’t have any” prior experience. Benioff said:

“We don’t know why he trusted us with his life’s work.”

CASTING ACTORS AND ACTRESSES

The stellar cast of “Game of Thrones” did not come together overnight; in fact, the original pilot episode saw a different Catelyn Stark and Daenerys Targaryen, who were played by Jennifer Ehle and Tamzin Merchant, respectively.

However, the on-screen airing only saw Michelle Fairley and Emilia Clarke, who both replaced the two original women.

During the forum, the showrunners also revealed how they picked some of the cast, including “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa, who played Khal Drogo in season one.

Benioff shared that online forums were used as an avenue and criteria to pick him as fans expressed their dream cast on the site.

Again, many criticized the two for getting away with an unprofessional selection process, which diminishes the value of the labor and credentials of other possible auditionees.

CHOOSING STAFF

Among the many controversial behind-the-scenes secrets revealed, their selection for choosing staff created a heated argument on social media.

The two writers reportedly didn’t hire another writer “because we didn’t know any better,” even though HBO wanted them to have more writers from the start.

Martin wrote one episode per season until it’s fourth, but after that, other staff members took over. Some of those were Dave Hill, Ethan J. Antonucci, Gursimran Sandhu, Vanessa Tayler, and James Espenson.

BOOK VS ADAPTATION

Benioff and Weiss also revealed that they removed “fantasy elements” on purpose to reach a broader fan base, which infuriated fans who noticed that they veered much too far away from the book.

With this, the series ended differently from the book, which will be given a few changes, says the author. Martin shared:

“I’ve been so slow with these books. The major points of the ending will be things I told [Benioff and Weiss] five or six years ago. But there may also be changes, and there’ll be a lot added.”