The first season of the American television drama series Game of Thrones premiered on April 17, 2011 and will conclude on June 19, 2011. It will consist of 10 episodes, each running approximately 55 minutes in length. Game of Thrones is based off the novel A Game of Thrones, the first entry in A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. The story takes place in a fictional world, primarily upon a continent called Westeros but also on a large landmass to the east, known as Essos, where the noble Stark family, lead by Ned Stark (Sean Bean) is thrown into the middle of schemes for the throne and against the king when the hand of the king dies mysteriously.
The cable television series closely follows the multiple story lines of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, and author Martin has stated that the show’s pilot script was very faithful to his work. The series begins with Ned Stark (Sean Bean) being asked to be the hand of the king (Mark Addy). Ned and his wife Catelyn (Michelle Fairley) receive a letter from Catelyn’s sister, Lysa (Kate Dickie) that gives them reason to believe that rival House Lannister was the cause of the previous hand’s death. Ned must travel south to help the king and find out who killed the hand of the king, John Arryn (John Standing), while trying to protect his family from the Lannisters.
Meanwhile, the exiled Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd), son of the former king, believes he still has the rightful claim to the throne. He marries his sister, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), to the leader of a warrior tribe, Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), in an attempt to get an army to conquer the throne. And beyond the wall, an ancient force, long believed dead, threatens the land.
