| Game of Thrones | |
|---|---|
| Season 6 | |
 Region 1 DVD cover | |
| Showrunners | |
| Starring |
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| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Original release | April 24 – June 26, 2016 |
| Season chronology | |
The sixth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered on HBO on April 24, 2016, and concluded on June 26. It consists of 10 episodes, each of approximately 50–60 minutes long. Much of the season's storyline is derived from content not yet published in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, although a significant amount of material from A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons and the upcoming sixth novel The Winds of Winter, which Martin outlined to showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, was used.[1] The series was adapted for television by Benioff and Weiss. HBO had ordered the season on April 8, 2014, together with the fifth season, which began filming in July 2015[2][3] primarily in Northern Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Iceland and Canada. The season cost over $100 million to produce.
The season follows the continuing struggle among the noble families of Westeros for the Iron Throne. The Starks and allies defeat the Bolton forces in the "Battle of the Bastards" reuniting Sansa Stark and Jon Snow, who is proclaimed the King in the North, while Ramsay Bolton is killed. In Essos, Tyrion Lannister rules Meereen while Daenerys Targaryen is held captive by the Dothraki, after which she burns the Khals, emerges from the flames of their temple alive leading the surviving Dothraki to pledge her their loyalty. At King's Landing, Margaery Tyrell capitulates to the High Sparrow, who becomes more powerful by influencing King Tommen. The imprisoned Cersei avoids her trial by destroying the Great Sept with wildfire, killing the Sparrows, her uncle, and the Tyrells. Tommen commits suicide in the wake of the blast, and his mother is crowned Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Ellaria Sand and Oberyn Martell's daughters kill Doran and Trystane Martell and seize control of Dorne. Arya Stark finishes her assassin training and returns to Westeros to resume her revenge list. Bran Stark becomes the Three-Eyed Raven, escapes the White Walkers, and returns to the Wall. Yara Greyjoy fails in her bid to be queen of the Iron Islands, so she and Theon ally with Daenerys. Varys secures an alliance for her with Olenna and the Dornish.
Game of Thrones features a large ensemble cast, including Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, and Kit Harington. The season introduced new cast members, including Max von Sydow, Pilou Asbæk, and Essie Davis, and returned Isaac Hempstead Wright and David Bradley to the series. Additionally, Rory McCann returned to the series after his character, Sandor Clegane, was presumably left for dead in the fourth season. The season also marked the final appearances of Iwan Rheon, Michael McElhatton, Kristian Nairn, Natalie Dormer, Jonathan Pryce, and Finn Jones.
Critics praised its production values, writing, plot development, and cast. Game of Thrones received the most nominations for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, with 23 nominations, and won 12, including that for Outstanding Drama Series for the second year in a row. U.S. viewership rose compared to the previous season, and by approximately 13 percent over its course, from 7.9 million to 8.9 million by the finale.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 28, 2016). "'Game Of Thrones' David Benioff & D.B. Weiss On Shocking Season 6 Finale". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Roots, Kimberly (January 7, 2016). "Game of Thrones Season 6 Premiere Date Revealed". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
- ^ Goldman, Eric (April 8, 2014). "Game of Thrones Renewed for Season 5 and Season 6". IGN. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2014.