| Game of Thrones | |
|---|---|
| Season 5 | |
 Region 1 DVD artwork | |
| Showrunners | |
| Starring |
|
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Original release | April 12 – June 14, 2015 |
| Season chronology | |
The fifth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered on HBO on April 12, and concluded on June 14, 2015.[1] It was broadcast on Sunday at 9:00 pm in the United States, consisting of 10 episodes, each running approximately 50–60 minutes. The season primarily adapts the storylines from A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, the fourth and fifth novels in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, though it also uses the remaining elements from the third novel, A Storm of Swords, as well as the upcoming sixth novel The Winds of Winter.[2][3][4] It also contains original content not found in Martin's novels.[5] The series is adapted for television by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.
Like previous seasons in Game of Thrones, the fifth season continues storylines primarily set within the fictional land of Westeros, while a few storylines are set in another continent, Essos. After the murders of King Joffrey and his grandfather Tywin Lannister, Cersei Lannister’s young, indecisive son, Tommen, rules Westeros as king. Tyrion flees to Essos, where he meets Daenerys Targaryen, who struggles to rule Slavers' Bay and regain control over her growing dragons. The Lannister family encounters new enemies, including a religious cult that Cersei foolishly empowers; they arrest her and Queen Margaery; Cersei confesses some sins and is released after a walk of atonement. Jon Snow becomes Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and serves under Stannis Baratheon, who pursues his claim to the Iron Throne by marching on the rebuilt Winterfell. Littlefinger has left Sansa Stark at Winterfell; she marries Ramsay Bolton, who rapes and imprisons her. Stannis is defeated and killed, while Sansa makes an escape with Theon. After Jon loses Night's Watchmen trying to rescue thousands of Wildlings from the White Walkers, several of his men mutiny and kill him. In Braavos, Arya Stark receives training as an assassin but disobeys her trainers, who blind her. Jaime retrieves princess Myrcella from Dorne, but she is murdered.
HBO ordered the fifth season on April 8, 2014, together with the sixth season, which began filming in July 2014.[6] The season was filmed primarily in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Croatia and Spain.
Game of Thrones features a large ensemble cast, including Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington. The season introduced a number of new cast members, including Jonathan Pryce and Alexander Siddig.
Critics praised the show's production values and cast, giving specific accolades for Dinklage's portrayal of Tyrion Lannister. Viewership yet again rose compared to the previous season. This season set a Guinness World Record for winning the highest number of Emmy Awards for a series in a single season and year, winning 12 out of 24 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.[7][8]
- ^ Hibberd, James (January 8, 2015). "'Game of Thrones' season 5 premiere date revealed". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
- ^ Kain, Erik (April 12, 2015). "Why Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' Is The Most Important Yet For HBO". Forbes. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- ^ Hibberd, James (June 18, 2014). "'Game of Thrones' showrunners talk season 5: 'There will be Dorne'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ "Game of Thrones Episodes: EP510: Mother's Mercy". Westeros.org. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ "Game of Thrones Season 5: Inside the Episode #9 (HBO)". HBO. June 7, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
- ^ Goldman, Eric (April 8, 2014). "Game of Thrones Renewed for Season 5 and Season 6". IGN. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ Prudom, Laura (September 20, 2015). "'Game of Thrones' Sets Record for Most Emmy Wins in a Year". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ^ Stephenson, Kristen (June 26, 2016). "Arm yourself for Game of Thrones season finale with these Westeros-themed records". Guinness World Records. Retrieved September 3, 2016.