TV Pilots That Were Completely Reshot: Game of Thrones

[JamesG]

When discussing the best HBO series of all time, no one can ignore "Game of Thrones". From the first episode, "Winter Is Coming," the show grabs a hold of the audience and refuses to let go.

Yet, this monumental episode had to be reshot. According to Yahoo, approximately 90% of the original pilot was entirely scrapped. Some of the omissions included a George R. R. Martin cameo that's been relegated to the archives as punishment for him not finishing the novel series (just kidding).




This version of "Game of Thrones" also features different actors in popular roles. Khaleesi herself, Daenerys Targaryen, is played by Tamzin Merchant, whom viewers should recognize as Catherine Howard from "The Tudors"

Also, Jennifer Ehle, who can be seen on "Lioness" and "1923", is the actor portraying Catelyn Stark. Reportedly, it's not a very good pilot at all, with the general consensus being the series wouldn't have been what it is had it aired.




"Game of Thrones" co-showrunner David Benioff called the failed pilot a major learning moment for him and D. B. Weiss. Speaking to Variety in 2015, Benioff pointed to a big question mark their trusted friends had after watching the episode.

"At the very end of the pilot, Jaime Lannister pushes Bran out the window," Benioff said. "Jaime is lying with his sister, Cersei, and none of [our friends] realized that Jaime and Cersei were brother and sister, which is a major, major plot point that we had somehow failed to establish."

https://www.tvline.com/2016387/tv-sh...before-airing/