A Look at the ‘Game of Thrones’ Premiere Red Carpet

Last night marked the beginning of the end for the HBO hit series Game of Thrones. The adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice And Fire started back in 2011, and last night the cast, the crew, and everyone involved in creating the television series came together to enjoy the premiere of the 8th and final season and celebrate in red carpet, Hollywood style. George R. R. Martin himself was there as well, hopefully actually enjoying the event instead of worrying about finishing Winds of Winter. (Please dear god, let the rumors be true!)   Fans from all Seven Kingdoms. …

Jaclyn Appelgate –
Adaptations Fantasy

Last night marked the beginning of the end for the HBO hit series Game of Thrones.

The adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice And Fire started back in 2011, and last night the cast, the crew, and everyone involved in creating the television series came together to enjoy the premiere of the 8th and final season and celebrate in red carpet, Hollywood style.

George R. R. Martin himself was there as well, hopefully actually enjoying the event instead of worrying about finishing Winds of Winter. (Please dear god, let the rumors be true!)

 

 

Among many press figures, The Hollywood Reporter was there and got the scoop on who attended, what the event was like, and how everyone reflected on the premiere in their own way.

If you’re interested in reading all about The Hollywood Reporter‘s red carpet exclusive, definitely give it a read!

It was an awesome event that revealed the thoughts and feelings of the incredibly talented people behind our beloved show Game of Thrones.

 

The Mother of Dragons, Emilia Clarke, felt all over place about being at the premiere.

 

This is bonkers. I feel great, and weird, and strange.

-Emilia Clarke (Danaerys Targariyan)

 

Emilia Clarke's Daenerys Targaryen believes she's destined for the Iron Throne, but she has more pressing matters heading into the final season: surviving the war against the Night King with her two remaining dragons intact.

Emilia Clarke | Image via The Hollywood Reporter

 

Maybe she’d be a little more together if security let her bring her “children” with her.

The all-seeing Third Eyed Raven, Isaac Hempstead Wright, couldn’t see enough to believe he was at the final season premiere.

 

I have to be honest; I’m slightly overwhelmed at the moment…I’m usually pretty good at these events! We’ve done so many, that we’ve gotten used to doing the press lines. But this? This one is something else. There must be something in the air.

-Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark)

 

The Three-Eyed Raven sees all and knows all, but Isaac Hempstead Wright is keeping the final secrets of Game of Thrones close to the vest. Still, expect Bran Stark to play a crucial role in the endgame, especially when it comes to taking on the Night King directly.

 

 

I guess even when you have seen the end, it’s still shocking to live through it.

Wright also added “It’s quite hard to understate the legacy of Game of Thrones…It’s literally changed the face of television forever.”

Lovable and wise, Liam Cunningham took in the beauty and excitement of the big city, and appreciated being there for the premiere.

 

I was driving over in the car, looking out the window on my way over here, arriving in the middle of the madness…I thought to myself: New York really is the capital of the world. It’s the wonderful, diverse melting pot of madness. It’s gorgeous, this town. Where else should we have the closing of the book than here in the Big Apple?

-Liam Cunningham (Sir Davos Seaworth)

 

Few Game of Thrones characters are more salt-of-the-earth than Liam Cunningham as Davos, whose everyman status might be enough to keep him alive through the final six episodes.

 

 

Cunningham did have this to say in reflection of the series finale…

When people have talked about the magnificent television that’s come up over the years, from The Wire to Breaking Bad to Mad Men [and beyond], each of them raised the bar a little bit as far as what’s achievable, what’s good, what’s clever, what’s unpatronizing. I would like to think that if we have a legacy at all, it’s that we pushed the bar up a little higher. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, somebody will push that bar even higher.

-Liam Cunningham (Sir Davos Seaworth)

 

With all those beautiful words of clever artistry, maybe Sir Davos will write a book of his own too. If he survives the war with the White Walkers that is.

Joe Dempsie had the time of his life reuniting, and in some cases first meeting, with the cast who have become like family.

 

As a fan of the show, it’s amazing…The remarkable thing about a show like Game of Thrones and the size of this cast is that there are some people you never meet. You’re often ships in the night. Like, I never met Mark Addy until yesterday. I was like, ‘Where the hell have you been, pops?’

-Joe Dempsie (Gendry)

 

After three seasons sitting on the bench, Joe Dempsie's Gendry finally returned in season seven. Now that he's back, what does the future hold for the last surviving heir to House Baratheon? Could a future on the Iron Throne be in the cards?

 

 

If only we could have seen that parental meeting in the show.

The roaring, alcohol-loving King Robert, spoke with great humility and pride at the premiere.

 

This is something we started eleven years ago — because, of course, we shot the pilot the year before we shot season one proper…It’s been a long journey, and it’s amazing to feel like you’re part of a family. [HBO has] really been gracious, allowing us guys who died off early to be a part of this, and to be respected as part of the creative team. It’s remarkable.

-Mark Addy (Robert Baratheon)

 

As King Robert Baratheon, Mark Addy was among the first major series regulars to leave Game of Thrones, a death that signaled a shifting political landscape still felt throughout Westeros.

 

 

King Robert may have lost the throne, but at least Mark Addy won a family in the end.

The proud lion who fought for legacy himself, Charles Dance spoke of the legacy that Game of Thrones would leave.

 

It raised the bar to a phenomenal height…I hope it provokes other production companies to maintain that level. HBO has spent money in the right way on this show. Every successive season, they said they were going to make it bigger and better. The bar has gone up and up and up. It’s fantastic.

-Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister)

 

The ruthless Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance) may have died several seasons ago at the hands of his own son, but his cold and calculated legacy still lives on in the form of his daughter Cersei (Lena Headey), ruling on the Iron Throne.

 

 

If only he had shown the same humility before be died on the John.

The author himself had some words to share as well.

 

I don’t think it should be the final season, but here we are.

-George R. R. Martin

 

Author George R.R. Martin, the man who first brought Westeros to life, remains committed to closing out A Song of Ice and Fire, the novel series on which Thrones is based. The sixth of seven planned entries, The Winds of Winter, will be the first book released in the series since 2011's A Dance With Dragons. It does not yet have a publish date.

 

Maybe you wouldn’t have to say that George if you would’ve just, oh I don’t know, finish the book series earlier!

Oh who am I kidding, I can’t stay mad at you. We all love you Martin. No “Shame, shame, shame” memes needed.

Everyone seems to have their own emotional reactions and epiphanies in regard to the end of Game of Thrones. It’s amazing that a television series could have an impact on so many people, and it’s only just begun!

Looking forward to all the reactions from the fans as we all experience the final season on Game of Thrones, starting April 14th 9pm.

 

 

All Images via The Hollywood Reporter

Featured Image via The Straits Times