15 years ago (somehow) I visited Belfast whilst they were filming the GAME OF THRONES pilot

The Internet informs me that (mostly) celebrated medieval fantasy TV show Game of Thrones entered production just over fifteen years ago, despite it clearly actually being twelve minutes ago. Although I was unable to wrangle a set visit, I did get to meet many of the cast and crew at special events hosted by George R.R. Martin for fans in Belfast that week.

On 3 November 2009, he arranged a book signing in Easons Bookstore in Belfast, Northern Ireland, near the main set at the Paint Hall Studios (aka Titanic Studios). Ostensibly this was for his newly-released fantasy anthology Songs of the Dying Earth, a tribute collection to the classic fantasy author Jack Vance (fellow author Matt Hughes was on hand as well), although obviously most fans turned up with copies of the (then) four Song of Ice and Fire volumes in hand.

George R.R. Martin and Matt Hughes, authors in SONGS OF THE DYING EARTH.

Sophie Turner & Alfie Allen

Kit Harington

Ron Donachie & Richard Madden

Maisie Williams & Sophie Turner

Ron Donachie, Alfie Allen, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Richard Madden & George R.R. Martin

Multiple Game of Thrones actors stopped by and were happy (if slightly bemused) to sign books: Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Richard Madden (Robb Stark), Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), a very tired Kit Harington (Jon Snow) and Ron Donachie (Ser Roderik Cassel). Rory McCann (Sandor Clegane, the Hound) stopped by briefly as well, but alas too quickly for me to snap a picture.

That evening we repaired to McHughes, a bar in the city which had been booked out (for "G.F.F. Martin," apparently). We were joined by Esme Bianco ("Red-Headed Whore," soon to be renamed at George's insistence, "Ros") and several members of the crew, including extras, stunt coordinators and some of the vfx team. One fan even proposed to his girlfriend (she said yes) and George R.R. Martin was proud to announce that Richard Madden had been officially crowned "Best-Dressed Man in Scotland", in absentia because he was obviously filming in Winterfell.

Sophie Turner, Esme Bianco & Maisie Williams

Esme Bianco, Richard Madden & George R.R. Martin

Ron Donachie & George R.R. Martin

George was unusually forthcoming and let us in on some juicy plot info from the upcoming Dance with Dragons, but further revelations were curtailed when Ron Donachie joined us and immediately engaged George in discussion about American football. This was one of GRRM's blog posts come to life.

The main points of discussion were some nervousness, as the pilot was expensive and HBO had not done fantasy before. Everyone agreed the books were great and if they were adapted well, the show could find some success. But I think if you'd told anywhere there that it was going to become The Biggest Show on Television, arguably worldwide, for the next decade, and spawn multiple spin-off projects, I think you'd have been laughed out of the room.

But, of course, that's how it went down, and for the next few years fan gatherings would be held in Belfast to celebrate the show (initially ad hoc but then turning into the more formal TitanCon convention, which ran annually until 2019). The first spin-off show, House of the Dragon, moved production to the Warner Brothers studios at Leavesden, just outside London, but A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has returned to the original production base in Belfast to resume filming there.

It was a great night and a great set of memories to have.