'I want viewers to be afraid': Game Of Thrones creator reveals his motivation... as director hints at surprise in series finale

By Mike Larkin

PUBLISHED: 19:52 EST, 6 June 2013 | UPDATED: 18:40 EST, 7 June 2013


The pen is mightier than the sword: George RR Martin revealed he loves shocking Game Of Thrones fans

The pen is mightier than the sword: George RR Martin revealed he loves shocking Game Of Thrones fans

He is the mastermind behind television's most talked about show.

And Game Of Thrones creator George RR Martin has revealed the reason it is so shocking is he wants his readers and viewers to be afraid.

The author and screenwriter said he is set against the convention of heroes escaping ever more perilous situations for no other reason than it suits a preordained plot.

No better example was last Sunday's episode of the hit HBO show, which saw some of the programme's most beloved characters unceremoniously killed off in the Red Wedding bloodbath.

The 65-year-old told Fox News: 'As a reader or a viewer, I always like unexpected things.

'We’ve all seen the movies where the hero’s in trouble … but you know he’s going to get away.

'I want my readers and viewers to be afraid when my characters are in danger.'

However his fearless approach to fiction can sometimes make things awkward when he is chatting to cast members however.

He said: 'We recently had the premiere for the third season, and at one point at the party, I found myself talking with three actors — some of whom I was just meeting — and I realized they were all dead!

'One of them knew it, but the other two didn’t. They would have known if they’d read the books!

'There was one actress who, at that same party, said, "Please don't kill me!" And I know that she does die, so I felt very guilty.'

While it would be easy to slate the stars for not knowing their fate, Scottish actor Richard Madden, who won acclaim for his portrayal of King of the North Robb Stark, said he purposely did not read ahead as he felt knowing too much could adversely affect his performance.

George is one of the most respected figures in high fantasy due to his work on the Fire and Ice series, which started in 1996 and on which the television show is based.

But while many fans of the book like to think the have the inside line ahead of time, he also revealed the production team are not afraid to change things up so it suits the medium of the small screen.

Shocking: Fans were left distraught after learning the fate of show favourites Robb and Catelyn Stark at the Red Wedding last Sunday

Shocking: Fans were left distraught after learning the fate of show favourites Robb and Catelyn Stark at the Red Wedding last Sunday

Paraphrasing legendary Spinal Tap guitarist Nigel Tufnell, he said: '[The show runners] have been known to make changes, including in the 'Red Wedding'. … They turned it up to 11.

'There are at least four characters who are dead on the TV show who are alive in the books still. So we’ll see. Meanwhile, I’m writing very fast because my great fear is that [the show] will catch up to me.'

Meanwhile George also revealed he is hard at work on the sixth book of the seven part series,The Winds of Winter, saying he is trying to finish up the 1,500-page tome as fast as he can.

He also admitted he already has an appropriately grand scheme on how to conclude his epic tale, though he said the show could reach a completely different conclusion.

That bloke's a Nutter: Show director David promised fans there will be plenty of surprises in store on Sunday

That bloke's a Nutter: Show director David promised fans there will be plenty of surprises in store on Sunday

He said: 'I know how it all ends in broad strokes. Of course, there’s no guarantee the show will end the same way.'

The author was not the only person giving valuable insight into the world of Westeros.

For director David Nutter told the Huffington Post there are surprises in store for the Season 3 finale.

He said it will reveal the other noble families' reactions to Robb and Catelyn Stark's deaths, with the Lannisters and their involvement in the massacre being explore, while pretender to the Iron Throne Stannis Baratheon will also feature strongly.

Nutter said: 'It's really quite an interesting denouement to the Episode 9 that happened.

'It was really quite a powerful thing.'

For the offing? Unpopular King Joffrey's wedding to Margaery Tyrell may be permanently delayed due to a death spell cast against him by the priestess Melisandre earlier in the series

For the offing? Unpopular King Joffrey's wedding to Margaery Tyrell may be permanently delayed due to a death spell cast against him by the priestess Melisandre earlier in the series


Comments (71)

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

"I really hope King Joffrey gets poisoned at his own wedding and Balon Greyjoy falls off a bridge next episode! - Stanny259, Salford, United Kingdom, 7/6/2013 8:59" - Thanks for the spoilers you idiot.

Click to rate     Rating   3

Report abuse

This is the only series l haven't watched but fell in love just watching season 3 Ep 1.....Seriously....!!

Click to rate     Rating   3

Report abuse

Spoilers .......................... it was All a Dream !

Click to rate     Rating   (0)

Report abuse

Brilliant books; great TV series.

Click to rate     Rating   25

Report abuse

if they kill jon snow i'm done....i said the same thing about rob stark though...

Click to rate     Rating   20

Report abuse

If the finale is anything like last week's "Red Wedding" episode, I won't be able to sleep for a week! This series has such great writing, terrific performances, a nearly-impossible-to-figure-out plot line that I put it right up there with "Breaking Bad" and "Dexter" - two other queasy-making series with equally great writing. Thank you, George RR Martin - and CARRY ON! Daenarys Tarnaryen - the great Kaleesi - BRING IT ON! Waiting for those lovely full-grown dragons to make their entrance! And HOW will Tyrion Lannister manage now? Can't wait!

Click to rate     Rating   27

Report abuse

I love the ASoIaF series. And I so very much enjoy the HBO series, but poster Catherine in Tulsa HAS A VERY VALID POINT! The man NEEDS to finish the story. The time gaps between the novels is almost unforgivable and his true fans, the ones who wait YEARS between books, and started reading them going on 2 DECADES ago, (the fans created the buzz from the beginning) want the next installment already!!!!!!!!!

Click to rate     Rating   25

Report abuse

You don't actually mention his name except on the photo caption... Weird way to write an article.

Click to rate     Rating   10

Report abuse

George RR Martin writes like a boss.

Click to rate     Rating   28

Report abuse

It's at times like this I like to go to YouTube and watch Tyrion Slaps Joffrey For 10 Minutes To Achilles Last Stand. It's just so incredibly satisfying.

Click to rate     Rating   38

Report abuse

Share this comment

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.