A Game of Thrones
In the novel, recounting events from various points of view, Martin introduces the plot-lines of the noble houses of Westeros, the Wall, and the Targaryens. The novel has inspired several spin-off works, including several games. It is also the namesake and basis for the first season of "Game of Thrones", an HBO television series that premiered in April 2011. A March 2013 paperback TV tie-in re-edition was also titled "Game of Thrones", excluding the indefinite article "A".
Game of Thrones (season 1)
Critics praised the show's production values and cast, with specific accolades for Dinklage's portrayal of Tyrion Lannister. The first season won two of the thirteen Emmy Awards for which it was nominated, for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Dinklage) and Outstanding Main Title Design. It also received a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. Bean and Emilia Clarke also received individual accolades, as did Ramin Djawadi for music. U.S. viewership rose by approximately 33% over the course of the season, from 2.2 million to over 3 million by the finale.
 
The recurring actors listed here are those who appeared in season 1. They are listed by the region in which they first appear:HBO originally optioned the rights to "A Song of Ice and Fire" in 2007, at which time David Benioff and D. B. Weiss were identified as the project's writers and executive producers. The first and second drafts of the pilot script, written by Benioff and Weiss, were submitted in August 2007, and June 2008, respectively. While HBO found both drafts to their liking, a pilot was not ordered until November 2008, with the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike possibly delaying the process.