Season 2 of Game of Thrones began filming on 25 July 2011 and wrapped on 12 December 2011. The series is due to begin transmission on 1 April 2012 in the USA. The season consists of ten episodes. Filming of Season 2 again took place in Northern Ireland, on location and at the Paint Hall studio facility in Belfast. Additional filming, for the Night's Watch storyline, took place in Iceland. Malta was not be used for filming in Season 2, with the city of Dubrovnik in Croatia standing in for King's Landing instead and used for the new location Qarth[1][2].
Season 2 has a budget 15% higher than Season 1, putting it in the region of $69 million[3].
Season 2 is closely based on A Clash of Kings, the second novel in the Song of Ice and Fire novel series by George R.R. Martin. Some characters and elements from the first novel, A Game of Thrones, have been held back for the second season and some other elements were brought forward into the first for production reasons. In addition, some storylines and events that happened off-page in the book will be depicted on-screen for the series, and some elements from the third novel, A Storm of Swords, will be brought forward into the second season, in particular to give the character of Jaime Lannister more screen-time.
Plot
Season 2 spans several months on a world where the seasons last for years at a time. The Seven Kingdoms are at war, with the King in the North, Robb Stark, fighting to win independence for his people and those of the Riverlands. Robb decides that he must win the allegiance of the fiercely independent ironborn to his cause, and sends his best friend Theon Greyjoy to treat with his father, who is hatching plans of his own. Meanwhile, Joffrey Baratheon holds the Iron Throne with the backing of the powerful House Lannister, but his uncle Renly has also claimed the throne with the support of House Tyrell, whose armies are much larger. As they struggle for the throne, Tyrion Lannister arrives in King's Landing to take matters in hand, only to face opposition from his scheming sister, Cersei, now the Queen Regent.
However, there is another faction entering the picture. Stannis Baratheon, Robert's younger brother and Renly's older, has also claimed the Iron Throne. A proven battle commander and veteran of several wars, Stannis is known to be utterly without mercy to his enemies and will do what is right even if it destroys him. Advising him is Melisandre, an enigmatic priestess from the east, who believes Stannis is meant for a greater destiny, and Ser Davos Seaworth, an honest and honorable man uneasy with the shifts in power at Stannis' court.
Far to the east, Daenerys Targaryen has hatched the only three dragons in the world. Eventually they will grow into terrifying monsters capable of destroying cities at her command, but for now they are still hatchlings and vulnerable. With her khalasar gone, Daenerys and her small band of followers must find a way across a forbidding wasteland and find new allies to support her claim to the Iron Throne.
In the distant north, the Night's Watch has mounted an expedition beyond the Wall, searching for missing rangers and investigating rumours of wildlings gathering in the mountains. For Jon Snow this will be a rite of passage as he is asked to make difficult choices, for the realm and for himself.
Production
Cast
The following actors and characters are expected to return for Season 2.
Returning
Starring cast
- Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister[4]
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister[4]
- Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark[4]
- Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister[4]
- Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen[4]
- Aidan Gillen as Petyr Baelish[4]
- Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont[4]
- Kit Harington as Jon Snow[4]
- Richard Madden as Robb Stark[4]
- Maisie Williams as Arya Stark[4]
- Isaac Hempstead-Wright as Bran Stark[4]
- Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark[4]
- Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon[4]
- Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy[4]
- Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane[4]
Recurring cast
- Gethin Anthony as Renly Baratheon[4]
- Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister[4]
- Ian Gelder as Kevan Lannister (unconfirmed)
- Eugene Simon as Lancel Lannister[5]
- Jerome Flynn as Bronn[4]
- Mark Lewis Jones as Shagga (unconfirmed)
- Art Parkinson as Rickon Stark[6]
- Ron Donachie as Rodrik Cassel[4]
- Donald Sumpter as Maester Luwin[4]
- Kristian Nairn as Hodor[6]
- Natalia Tena as Osha[7]
- Clive Mantle as Greatjon Umber (unconfirmed)
- Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell[8]
- James Cosmo as Jeor Mormont[4]
- Francis Magee as Yoren[9]
- John Bradley as Samwell Tarly[4]
- Roxanne McKee as Doreah[10]
- Amrita Acharia as Irri[11]
- Elyes Gabel as Rakharo (unconfirmed)
- Esmé Bianco as Ros[12]
- Sibel Kekilli as Shae[4]
- Joe Dempsie as Gendry Waters[4]
- Eros Vlahos as Lommy Greenhands[13]
- Ben Hawkey as Hot Pie[13]
- Aimee Richardson as Myrcella Baratheon[12]
- Callum Wharry as Tommen Baratheon[12]
- Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle[14]
- Conleth Hill as Varys[4]
- Ian McElhinney as Barristan Selmy (unconfirmed)
- Ian Beattie as Meryn Trant[5]
- Wilko Johnson as Ilyn Payne[15]
- Dominic Carter as Janos Slynt[16]
- Andrew Wilde as Tobho Mott[16]
- Antonia Christophers as Mhaegen[17]
New characters
A significant number of new characters and actors join the show in the second season. It is not known at the moment which will be recurring characters and which will be title castmembers.
- Stephen Dillane as King Stannis Baratheon[4][18]
- Carice van Houten as Melisandre[4][18]
- Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth[18]
- Gwendoline Christie as Brienne[19]
- Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell[20][4]
- Oliver Ford Davies as Maester Cressen[21]
- Gemma Whelan as Yara Greyjoy[22]
- Nonso Anozie as Xaro Xhoan Daxos[23]
- Kerr Logan as Matthos Seaworth[23]
- Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar[24]
- Roy Dotrice as Hallyne[25]
- Hannah Murray as Gilly[26]
- Karl Davies as Alton Lannister[27]
- Ben Crompton as Eddison Tollett[28]
- Robert Pugh as Craster[29]
- Michael McElhatton as Lord Roose Bolton[30]
- Oona Chaplin as Jeyne Westerling[31]
- Forbes KB as Lorren[32]
- Laura Pradelska as Quaithe[33]
- Patrick Malahide as Lord Balon Greyjoy[34]
- Daniel Portman as Podrick Payne[35]
- Ian Hanmore as Pyat Pree[36]
- Ralph Ineson as Dagmer[37]
- Lucian Msamati as Salladhor Saan[38]
- Andy Beckwith as Rorge[39]
- Gerard Jordan as Biter[40]
- Anthony Morris as the Tickler[41]
- Steven Cole as Kovarro[42]
- Fintan McKeown as Ser Amory Lorch[43]
- Simon Fisher-Becker as the High Septon[44]
- Tony Way as Ser Dontos Hollard[45]
- Nicholas Blane as the Spice King[46]
- Rose Leslie as Ygritte[47]
- Simon Armstrong as Qhorin Halfhand[48]
- Edward Dogliani as Rattleshirt[49]
- Paul Kealyn as Weasel[50]
- Amy Dawson as the Captain's daughter[51]
- David Fynn as Rennick[52]
- Darren Killeen as a Baratheon guard[50]
- Sam Callis as a Gold Cloak[53]
Recast characters
Two minor characters from the first season have been replaced for the second season.
- Ian Whyte has replaced Conan Stevens as Ser Gregor Clegane.[43]
- John Stahl has replaced Steven Blount as Lord Rickard Karstark.[54]
Episodes
| # | Image | Title | Airdate | Viewers/Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 
|
"The North Remembers"[55] | 1 April, 2012 | |
| Template:S02E01 Synopsis | ||||
| 02 |  |
"The Night Lands" | 8 April, 2012 | |
| Template:S02E02 Synopsis | ||||
| 03 |  |
"What is Dead May Never Die"[56] | 15 April, 2012 | |
| Template:S02E03 Synopsis | ||||
| 04 |  |
"Garden of Bones"[57] | 22 April, 2012 | |
| Template:S02E04 Synopsis | ||||
| 05 |  |
"The Ghost of Harrenhal"[58] | 29 April, 2012 (tbc) | |
| Template:S02E05 Synopsis | ||||
| 06 |  |
"The Old Gods and the New"[59] | 6 May, 2012 (tbc) | |
| Plot summary. | ||||
| 07 | |
Season 2, Episode 7 | 13 May, 2012 (tbc) | |
| Plot summary. | ||||
| 08 | |
Season 2, Episode 8 | 20 May, 2012 (tbc) | |
| Plot summary. | ||||
| 09 | |
"Blackwater" | 27 May, 2012 (tbc) | |
| Template:S02E09 Synopsis | ||||
| 10 |  |
Season 2, Episode 10 | 3 June, 2012 (tbc) | |
| Plot summary. | ||||
Crew
Producers
- David Benioff: Executive producer.
- D.B. Weiss: Executive producer.
- Carolyn Strauss: Executive producer.
- Frank Doelger: Executive producer.
- George R.R. Martin: Co-executive producer.
- Vanessa Taylor: Co-executive producer.
- Alan Taylor: Co-executive producer.
- Guymon Casady: Co-executive producer.
- Vince Gerardis: Co-executive producer.
- Bernadette Caulfield: Produced by.
Writers
- David Benioff & D.B. Weiss: episodes 1, 2 and 5, further episodes tbc.
- Bryan Cogman: episode 3.
- George R.R. Martin: episode 9.
- Vanessa Taylor: episode 4 and one further episode tbc.
Directors
- Alan Taylor: episodes 1-2, 8 & 10.
- Alik Sakharov: episode 3.
- David Petrarca: episodes 4-5.
- David Nutter: episodes 6-7.
- Neil Marshall: episode 9.
Marketing
HBO has released production featurettes through the Making Game of Thrones website. Cat Taylor took over writing responsibilities for the site from Bryan Cogman for the second season.
Promotional video
Trailers
<videogallery> Video:Game_Of_Thrones_Season_2_-_Terror_Tease|Terror Tease
Video:Game_Of_Thrones_Season_2_"Cold_Winds"_Tease|"Cold Winds" Tease
Video:Game_Of_Thrones_Season_2_"Shadow"_Tease|'Shadow' trailer
Video:Game_Of_Thrones_Season_2|"Power and Grace" trailer
Video:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Seven Devils Trailer|"Seven Devils" trailer
Video:Game Of Thrones Season 2 The More You Love Trailer|"The More You Love" trailer
Video:Season 2 Price of Our Sins Trailer|"Price of Our Sins" Trailer </videogallery>
Character profiles
<videogallery> Video:Game Of Thrones Season 2 Daenerys Targaryen Character Profile|Daenerys Targaryen Character Profile
Video:Season 2 Renly Baratheon Character Profile|Renly Baratheon Character Profile
Video:Season 2 Joffrey Baratheon Character Profile|Joffrey Baratheon Character Profile
Video:Season 2 Jon Snow Character Profile|Jon Snow Character Profile
Video:Season 2 Robb Stark Character Profile|Robb Stark Character Profile
Video:Season 2 Stannis Baratheon Character Profile|Stannis Baratheon Character Profile </videogallery>
Behind the scenes
<videogallery> Video:Game Of Thrones - Season 2 Invitation to the Set|Invitation to the Set
Video:Game_of_Thrones_Season_2_In_Production_-_Iceland|In Production - Iceland
Video:Game_of_Thrones_Season_2_In_Production_-_Croatia|In Production - Croatia
Video:Game_of_Thrones_Season_2_In_Production_-_Belfast|In Production - Belfast </videogallery>
Making Game of Thrones
<videogallery> Video:Season_2_Making_Game_of_Thrones_-_Weapons|Making Game of Thrones - Weapons
Video:Season_2_Making_Game_of_Thrones_-_Working_as_an_Extra|Making Game of Thrones - Working as an Extra
Video:Game_of_Thrones_Season_2_Making_Game_of_Thrones_-_Art_Direction|Making Game of Thrones - Art Direction
Video:Season_2_Making_Game_of_Thrones_-_Renly's_Armor|Making Game of Thrones - Renly's Armor
Video:Season_2_Making_Game_of_Thrones_-_Coordinating_Fights_and_Stunts|Making Game of Thrones - Coordinating Fights and Stunts
Video:Season_2_Making_Game_of_Thrones_-_Arya_Stark's_New_Look|Making Game of Thrones - Arya Stark's New Look </videogallery>
Pledge your allegiance campaign
On March 19 2012 HBO began a marketing campaign encouraging fans to pledge allegiance to one of five great houses on facebook. They released five promotional videos as part of the campaign.[60]
<videogallery> Video:Pledge Your Allegiance House Stark|Pledge Your Allegiance House Stark
Video:Pledge Your Allegiance House Lannister|Pledge Your Allegiance House Lannister
Video:Pledge Your Allegiance House Baratheon|Pledge Your Allegiance House Baratheon
Video:Pledge Your Allegiance House Greyjoy|Pledge Your Allegiance House Greyjoy
Video:Pledge Your Allegiance House Targaryen|Pledge Your Allegiance House Targaryen </videogallery>
Image gallery
Posters
Publicity photographs
Magazine photoshoots
References
- ↑ Winter is Coming
- ↑ Westeros.org
- ↑ Popwatch
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 4.21 4.22 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.26 4.27 HBO press release for the beginning of the second season reported at Winter is Coming
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 HBO Season 2 Joffrey Baratheon Character Profile featurette
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Winter is Coming article about wrapping season 2 filming in Northern Ireland
- ↑ Winter is Coming interview with Natalia Tena
- ↑ HBO Season 2 Renly Baratheon Character Profile featurette
- ↑ HBO Season 2 "Shadow" teaser trailer
- ↑ HBO Season 2 Daenerys Targaryen Character Profile featurette
- ↑ Amrita Acharia twitter account
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 HBO Season 2 "The More You Love" trailer
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Winter is Coming about filming in Northern Ireland
- ↑ of Thrones.hu interviews Julian Glover
- ↑ Norrbotten's Kuriren interviews Wilko Johnson
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Winter is Coming article about filming in Dubrovnik
- ↑ Antonia Chrisophers at Otto Personal Management
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Entertainment Weekly article announcing the casting of Stephen Dillane and Carice Van Houten Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "EW Stannis Melisandre casting" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Gwendoline Christie's casting
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly article announcing Natalie Dormer's casting
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Oliver Ford Davies' casting
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly article announcing the casting of Gemma Whelan
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Westeros.org article announcing the casting of Nonso Anozie and Kerr Logan
- ↑ Winter is Coming article announcing the casting of Tom Wlaschiha
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Roy Dotrice's re-casting
- ↑ Westeros.org article announcing the casting of Hannah Murray
- ↑ Access Hollywood article confirming the casting of Karl Davies
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Ben Crompton's casting
- ↑ Hollywood Reporter article announcing Robert Pugh's casting
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Michael McElhatton's casting
- ↑ Comic Book Movie.com confirms the casting of Oona Chaplin
- ↑ Westeros.org article announcing the casting of Forbes KB
- ↑ Winter is Coming article announcing the casting of Laura Pradelska
- ↑ Winter is Coming article announcing the casting of Patrick Malahide
- ↑ Access Hollywood article confirming the casting of Daniel Portman
- ↑ Westeros.org article announcing the casting of Ian Hanmore
- ↑ Winter is Coming article announcing the casting of Ralph Ineson
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly article announcing Lucian Msamati's casting
- ↑ Winter is Coming article announcing the casting of Andy Beckwith
- ↑ Westeros.org article confirming the casting of Gerard Jordan
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Anthony Morris's casting
- ↑ Westeros.org article announcing the casting of Steven Cole
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Winter is Coming article announcing the casting of Fintan McKeown and the re-casting of Ian Whyte
- ↑ Cult Box interviews Simon Fisher-Becker
- ↑ Westeros.org article announcing the casting of Tony Way
- ↑ Winter is Coming article announcing the casting of Nicholas Blane
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly article announcing the casting of Rose Lesie
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Simon Armstrong's casting
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms Edward Dogliani's casting
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 Winter is Coming article announcing Paul Kealyn and Darren Killeen's casting
- ↑ United Agents Client Details for Amy Dawson
- ↑ David Fynn as Rennick
- ↑ Winter is Coming article confirming Sam Callis's casting
- ↑ George R. R. Martin's Not a Blog confirms John Stahl's casting
- ↑ Media Bistro article about the second season
- ↑ HBO schedule for week beginning 9 April 2012
- ↑ HBO schedule for week beginning 16 April 2012
- ↑ Showtime Australia season 2 schedule for "The Ghost of Harrenhal"
- ↑ Showtime Australia season 2 schedule for "The Old Gods and the New"
- ↑ Winter is Coming article on the Pledge your allegiance campaign