Game of Thrones actor Charles Dance says that he believes the HBO show would not have found the same success it did on any other network. Dance is perhaps best known for portraying stoic and cold-hearted patriarch Tywin Lannister on Game of Thrones, a role which he played from season 1 to his character’s memorable death in the finale of season 4.
In an interview with The Guardian, Dance discusses what he thought about the unconventional show’s prospects in the early stages. The English actor says that if it had been another network helming this project, such as the BBC, the plug would have been pulled early. Read Dance’s full quote below:
I had no idea where it was going to go. None of us had any idea that it was going to be the most successful television series ever made. Especially as the pilot wasn’t great. If it had been made by the BBC, they would have pulled the plug. But Sky and HBO nursed it, and we began to be aware that we were dealing with a pretty class act. I still had no idea that it would become this charming monster.
Why Game Of Thrones Found So Much Success At HBO
Game of Thrones was arguably the most popular show on television during its 79-episode run from 2011 to 2019, entertaining a broad audience and picking up widespread critical acclaim, including 59 Primetime Emmy Awards. The people behind the show were the reason for its success, but HBO did play a part too, allowing the series to be fearless in its narrative, explore many different genres, and display everything from gory deaths to graphic sex scenes.
Game of Thrones also followed a very wide array of relatable characters, thanks to some excellent source material from George R.R. Martin. From honorable Ned Stark to his precocious daughter Arya and the caring but scarred Daenerys Targaryen, there were many intriguing characters. Many of the best Game of Thrones character arcs were also fascinating because of how arduous the journeys were, such as Sansa Stark’s path from spoiled princess to self-possessed queen and Jaime Lannister’s passage from self-centered to self-sacrificing, though they disappointingly reversed the latter in the end.
Another big reason for Game of Thrones‘ massive success is its devoted fan base, which is one of the most active in the industry. The show’s ability to weave together compelling plots with elements of fantasy, political intrigue, romance, medieval warfare, and coming-of-age stories in a satisfying way meant that people with different kinds of interests could come together to enjoy the show. It also didn’t hurt that Game of Thrones was gifted the HBO budget to bring its world and dragons to life in a vivid way.
Source: The Guardian