Fifteen years ago, audiences were introduced to and captivated by the Targaryens, the Starks, the White Walkers and the Iron Throne. Since then, the world of Westeros has only grown. 

“Game of Thrones,” based on the book series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R. R. Martin, was introduced to the world with one of the most fitting pilot episodes, “Winter is Coming.” 

The first episode jumps right into introducing almost all of the main characters, including the show’s central family, the Stark family, including Ned, Catelyn, Robb, Jon Snow, Sansa, Arya and Bran. Audiences also meet the King of Westeros, Robert Baratheon, his children, his wife, Cersei Lannister, her twin brother Jaime, and their brother Tyrion. On the opposite side of the world are Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen, the “rightful” rulers of Westeros. 

While it might seem like a lot of information from the start, the way Tim Van Patten, director of the first two episodes, and writers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss present all of the information makes everything easy to follow. 

Throughout its eight-season run, first-time watchers oftentimes could never expect what was going to happen next. In the early seasons, these unexpected twists, including the death of a main character, were very natural and established that no character was safe. But in later seasons, especially the finale, some fans did not enjoy the unpredictability and even chose to pretend it never happened.

The series is the most awarded drama of all time, with 59 Primetime Emmy Award wins and 396 wins across all award shows for all seasons. Among those wins are three Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series and five Emmy wins for Outstanding Costumes for a Period/ Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Movie. “Game of Thrones” won 12 Emmys in 2015 alone.   

The finale of “Game of Thrones” was not the end of what Westeros had in store for audiences. “House of the Dragon,” released in 2022, takes place 172 years before “Game of Thrones” and tells the story of King Viserys I Targaryen’s children battling for the Iron Throne. This series is based on only about 250 pages in the “Fire & Blood” book written by George R. R. Martin. 

Before “Game of Thrones,” the Targaryens were always in control of the Iron Throne and Westeros. But in House of the Dragon, House Targaryen is divided on who should be the next ruler.

About 80 years after season two of “House of the Dragon” and 90 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” the newest series, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” takes place. This series, released in 2026, follows the future legendary knight, Sir Duncan the Tall, and his young squire, Egg, as they wander Westeros and become friends. 

Both “House of the Dragon” and “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” have been renewed for another season.

Martin did not expect “Game of Thrones” to become the massive hit it did, the pace of the show even surpassing his book-writing speed. The series had one of the highest production values for television at the time and laid the groundwork for what would become the industry’s new standard for making high-budget, cinema-quality productions for television. 

HBO is also leaning into the 15 year anniversary of one of HBO’s biggest shows ever with the “Reign of Thrones” campaign. This campaign features trailers, curated playlists and retrospectives, which reunites old cast members to talk about the show. One trailer even showcases clips from all three shows to “Celebrate 15 years of Westeros.” The ad encourages audiences to watch “Every battle. Every Betrayal. Every Death,” as “This is the Reign of Thrones. Celebrate 15 years of Westeros all month long  #GOT15.”

While the show did come out 15 years ago, the world of Westeros is still just as relevant and alive today as it was then.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment