Game of Thrones season 5
{{Use American English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox television season
| season_number = 5
| bgcolour = #68411C
| image = Game of Thrones Season 5.png
| caption = Region 1 DVD artwork
| showrunner = {{Plainlist|
- David Benioff
- {{nowrap|D. B. Weiss}}
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Peter Dinklage
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
- Lena Headey
- Emilia Clarke
- Kit Harington
- Aidan Gillen
- Charles Dance
- Natalie Dormer
- Indira Varma
- Stephen Dillane
- Liam Cunningham
- Carice van Houten
- John Bradley
- Sophie Turner
- Kristofer Hivju
- Hannah Murray
- Conleth Hill
- Gwendoline Christie
- Michiel Huisman
- Nathalie Emmanuel
- Dean-Charles Chapman
- Maisie Williams
- Jerome Flynn
- Tom Wlaschiha
- Alfie Allen
- Michael McElhatton
- Iwan Rheon
- Iain Glen
}}
| num_episodes = 10
| network = HBO
| first_aired = {{Start date|2015|4|12}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2015|6|14}}
| episode_list = List of Game of Thrones episodes
}}
The fifth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered on HBO on April 12, and concluded on June 14, 2015.{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/08/game-of-thrones-season-5-premiere-date/ |title='Game of Thrones' season 5 premiere date revealed |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=January 8, 2015 |access-date=January 8, 2015}} It was broadcast on Sunday at 9:00 pm in the United States, consisting of 10 episodes, each running approximately 50–60 minutes. The season primarily adapts the storylines from A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, the fourth and fifth novels in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, though it also uses the remaining elements from the third novel, A Storm of Swords, as well as the upcoming sixth novel The Winds of Winter.{{cite web|last=Kain|first=Erik|title=Why Season 5 Of 'Game Of Thrones' Is The Most Important Yet For HBO|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/12/why-season-5-of-game-of-thrones-is-the-most-important-yet-for-hbo/|work=Forbes|date=April 12, 2015|access-date=April 13, 2015}}{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunners talk season 5: 'There will be Dorne'|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/06/18/game-of-thrones-season-5/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 18, 2014|access-date=June 18, 2014}}{{cite web|title=Game of Thrones Episodes: EP510: Mother's Mercy|url=http://www.westeros.org/GoT/Episodes/Entry/Mothers_Mercy|publisher=Westeros.org|access-date=June 18, 2015}} It also contains original content not found in Martin's novels.{{Cite web |title=Game of Thrones Season 5: Inside the Episode #9 (HBO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ/www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfLScJVXBHQ |access-date=June 9, 2015 |publisher=HBO |date=June 7, 2015}} The series is adapted for television by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss.
Like previous seasons in Game of Thrones, the fifth season continues storylines primarily set within the fictional land of Westeros, while a few storylines are set in another continent, Essos. After the murders of King Joffrey and his grandfather Tywin Lannister, Cersei Lannister’s young, indecisive son, Tommen, rules Westeros as king. Tyrion flees to Essos, where he meets Daenerys Targaryen, who struggles to rule Slavers' Bay and regain control over her growing dragons. The Lannister family encounters new enemies, including a religious cult that Cersei foolishly empowers; they arrest her and Queen Margaery; Cersei confesses some sins and is released after a walk of atonement. Jon Snow becomes Lord Commander of the Night's Watch and serves under Stannis Baratheon, who pursues his claim to the Iron Throne by marching on the rebuilt Winterfell. Littlefinger has left Sansa Stark at Winterfell; she marries Ramsay Bolton, who rapes and imprisons her. Stannis is defeated and killed, while Sansa makes an escape with Theon. After Jon loses Night's Watchmen trying to rescue thousands of Wildlings from the White Walkers, several of his men mutiny and kill him. In Braavos, Arya Stark receives training as an assassin but disobeys her trainers, who blind her. Jaime retrieves princess Myrcella from Dorne, but she is murdered.
HBO ordered the fifth season on April 8, 2014, together with the sixth season, which began filming in July 2014.{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2014/04/08/game-of-thrones-renewed-for-season-5-and-season-6|title=Game of Thrones Renewed for Season 5 and Season 6|last=Goldman|first=Eric|publisher=IGN|date=April 8, 2014|access-date=April 8, 2014}} The season was filmed primarily in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Croatia and Spain.
Game of Thrones features a large ensemble cast, including Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington. The season introduced a number of new cast members, including Jonathan Pryce and Alexander Siddig.
Critics praised the show's production values and cast, giving specific accolades for Dinklage's portrayal of Tyrion Lannister. Viewership yet again rose compared to the previous season. This season set a Guinness World Record for winning the highest number of Emmy Awards for a series in a single season and year, winning 12 out of 24 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/game-of-thrones-emmy-wins-record-1201598356/ |title='Game of Thrones' Sets Record for Most Emmy Wins in a Year |first=Laura |last=Prudom |date=September 20, 2015 |work=Variety |access-date=September 21, 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/6/arm-yourself-for-game-of-thrones-season-finale-with-these-westeros-themed-records-433460 |title=Arm yourself for Game of Thrones season finale with these Westeros-themed records |first=Kristen |last=Stephenson |date=June 26, 2016 |work=Guinness World Records |access-date=September 3, 2016}}
{{TOC limit|3}}
Episodes
{{see also|List of Game of Thrones episodes|l1=List of Games of Thrones episodes}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 41
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = The Wars to Come
|WrittenBy = David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
|DirectedBy = Michael Slovis
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|12}}
|Viewers = 8.00{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/14/sunday-cable-ratings-game-of-thrones-wins-night-silicon-valley-mtv-movie-awards-mad-men-veep-the-royals-more/388550/|archive-date=September 1, 2016|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/04/14/sunday-cable-ratings-game-of-thrones-wins-night-silicon-valley-mtv-movie-awards-mad-men-veep-the-royals-more/388550/|title=Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Game of Thrones' Wins Night, 'Silicon Valley', 'MTV Movie Awards', 'Mad Men', 'Veep', 'The Royals' & More|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Bibel|first=Sara|date=April 14, 2015|access-date=April 14, 2015|url-status=dead}}
|ShortSummary = In a flashback, a witch foretells a teenage Cersei that she will one day be a queen until a younger and more beautiful queen usurps her. The witch also predicts Cersei will have three children and her king husband will have twenty. In the present, Tywin is buried, and Lancel Lannister returns, now a devoted convert of a fanatical religious cult called the "Sparrows". In Pentos on Essos, a despondent Tyrion accompanies Varys to Meereen to meet Daenerys, who Varys believes may be worthy of the Iron Throne. In Meereen, the insurgent "Sons of the Harpy" murder an Unsullied. Daenerys angrily resists restoring old local traditions, including reopening the fighting pits. Missandei asks Grey Worm about why some Unsullied visit brothels. Daenerys visits her two confined dragons, who act aggressively toward her. In the Vale, Littlefinger puts Robin in House Royce's care when he and Sansa depart. At the Wall, Stannis Baratheon seeks to recruit the Wildlings in his war against Roose Bolton, offering citizenship and land as a reward. Jon is unable to persuade Mance Rayder to "bend the knee" to Stannis. As Mance is burned alive, Jon ends his agony with an arrow to the heart.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 42
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = The House of Black and White
|WrittenBy = David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
|DirectedBy = Michael Slovis
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|19}}
|ShortSummary = Arya arrives in Braavos and is accepted into the "House of Black and White" by Jaqen H'ghar, who calls himself and his colleagues, "no one". Jaime recruits Bronn to travel to Dorne with him to retrieve Jaime's niece/daughter Myrcella, who is now betrothed to Trystane Martell, Prince Doran's son. Podrick recognises Littlefinger and Sansa in a tavern; Brienne offers Sansa her protection but is rebuffed. Littlefinger insists Brienne come with them, but she refuses and escapes with Podrick, then secretly follows Sansa. Stannis offers Jon legitimacy and lordship of Winterfell if he leaves the Night's Watch and supports him, but Jon keeps his vow to the Night's Watch; Samwell nominates Jon as Lord Commander against Alliser Thorne; Maester Aemon casts his ballot for Jon, breaking a tie vote. Daenerys incites a riot by executing a former slave who murdered a Sons of the Harpy prisoner prior to his trial. Drogon reappears, but soon leaves.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 43
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = High Sparrow
|WrittenBy = David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
|DirectedBy = Mark Mylod
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|4|26}}
|ShortSummary = Margaery, newly wed to King Tommen Baratheon, manipulates him to consider sending Cersei to Casterly Rock to eliminate her interference. Littlefinger takes Sansa to Winterfell to cement an alliance with Roose Bolton through marriage to his son, Ramsay and Sansa without the Lannisters knowledge. Sansa's unconsummated marriage with Tyrion is considered void. Brienne trains Podrick in swordsmanship. To conform to the House of Black and White, Arya tosses her personal effects into the harbor, but hides Needle in a pile of rocks. At Castle Black, Jon names Thorne First Ranger. When Slynt disobeys Jon's orders, Jon executes him. Lancel discovers the High Septon in a brothel, and he is forced to walk the streets nude as punishment. The High Septon protests to Cersei, who imprisons him. She meets with the High Sparrow, approving the Sparrows' actions. Tyrion and Varys arrive in Volantis. Soon after, Tyrion is abducted by Jorah, intending to give him "to the queen".
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 44
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Sons of the Harpy
|WrittenBy = Dave Hill
|DirectedBy = Mark Mylod
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|5|3}}
|ShortSummary = Cersei authorizes arming the Sparrows as the Faith Militant, who then arrest Loras Tyrell for homosexuality. Queen Margaery is enraged, but Tommen proves too weak to countermand them. Melisandre attempts to seduce Jon as a means to convince him to accompany Stannis to Winterfell. In Winterfell, before Littlefinger heads to King's Landing, he dispels Sansa's misgivings about marrying Ramsay, promising that Stannis will defeat the Boltons and rescue her, and even if not, she can manipulate Ramsay. Bronn and Jaime secretly land in Dorne to retrieve Myrcella; hearing this, Ellaria and her Sand Snakes plot to avenge Oberyn's death by abducting Myrcella. Jorah intends to redeem himself to Daenerys by presenting Tyrion as a prisoner. In Meereen, Hizdahr zo Loraq again appeals to Daenerys to reopen the fighting pits, a local tradition; the Sons of the Harpy ambush an Unsullied patrol inside the citadel, critically wounding Grey Worm and killing Ser Barristan Selmy.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 45
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Kill the Boy
|WrittenBy = Bryan Cogman
|DirectedBy = Jeremy Podeswa
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|5|10}}
|ShortSummary = Brienne and Podrick arrive at an inn near Winterfell and smuggle a message to Sansa, offering her help if it is needed. Sansa discovers Theon is at Winterfell, and Ramsay forces him to apologize to her for supposedly killing her younger brothers. At the Wall, Tormund Giantsbane agrees to an alliance with the Night's Watch in return for the Wildlings to settle south of the Wall. Jon and Tormund travel to Hardhome to persuade the Wildlings. Stannis's army leaves for Winterfell, taking his family and Melisandre with them. In Meereen, as Grey Worm recuperates, he and Misandei develop romantic feelings. Daenerys feeds one Meereen nobleman to her dragons, Viserion and Rhaegal, and imprisons the others. She later agrees to reopen the fighting pits and weds Hizdahr to facilitate peace. At sea, Tyrion and Jorah sail through Valyria, seeing Drogon flying overhead. They are attacked by stone men and escape, but Jorah is infected with greyscale.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 46
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
|WrittenBy = Bryan Cogman
|DirectedBy = Jeremy Podeswa
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|5|17}}
|ShortSummary = Jaqen takes Arya to a chamber filled with the faces of dead people. Jaime and Bronn reach the Water Gardens and find Myrcella with Trystane. The Sand Snakes attack them but Dornish guards arrive and arrest everyone. Jorah and Tyrion are captured by pirates. They narrowly escape slavery when Tyrion manages to talk their way to the fighting pits of Meereen. Littlefinger informs Cersei that Roose Bolton intends to marry Sansa to Ramsay. He offers to lead the knights of the Vale to Winterfell to defeat whichever weakened side wins the conflict between Roose and Stannis. If successful, Littlefinger will be named Warden of the North. Olenna Tyrell arrives in King's Landing and warns Cersei that imprisoning Loras has jeopardized their alliance. At Loras' inquest, Loras and Margaery both deny his homosexuality. The male prostitute, Olyvar, contradicts their testimony and Margaery is arrested for lying to the gods. Tommen is uncertain and ineffective. At Winterfell, Sansa weds Ramsay. On their wedding night, Ramsay rapes her in front of Theon.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 47
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = The Gift
|WrittenBy = David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
|DirectedBy = Miguel Sapochnik
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|5|24}}
|ShortSummary = Jon leaves for Hardhome with Tormund and some rangers. Maester Aemon dies shortly after. Gilly is attacked by two Watchmen. Sam intervenes and is overpowered until Ghost threatens them. Samwell and Gilly consummate their relationship. Sansa begs Theon to help her escape Winterfell, but instead he informs Ramsay, who then flays Brienne's informant inside Winterfell. At his army camp, Stannis refuses Melisandre's request to sacrifice Shireen to gain the Lord of Light's favor. Jorah and Tyrion are sold to slaver, Yezzan, and are taken to Daznak's fighting pit. Daenerys and her consort, Hizdahr, inspect the pit in preparation for the upcoming games. Jorah defeats the other fighters, reveals his identity and Tyrion appears as his "gift" to her. In Dorne, while in the dungeon, Tyene Sand gives Bronn the antidote to a poison called "The Long Farewell" that she has infected him with. Prince Doran allows Jaime to take Myrcella and her fiancé, Prince Trystane, to King's Landing. The High Sparrow denies Olenna's demand that Loras and Margaery be released. The High Sparrow then arrests Cersei for her previous affair with her cousin Lancel.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 48
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Hardhome
|WrittenBy = David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
|DirectedBy = Miguel Sapochnik
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|5|31}}
|ShortSummary = Cersei's uncle, Kevan Lannister, is appointed as the Hand of the King. Cersei refuses to confess her crimes. Jaqen tasks Arya to study a marine insurance vendor who defrauds beneficiaries. Disguised as a shellfish peddler, she is to first learn about the insurer and then poison him. Theon tells Sansa that he faked killing Brandon and Rickon. Ramsay asks Roose for twenty men to attack Stannis's camp. In Meereen, Tyrion convinces Daenerys to spare Jorah's life; she does but exiles him again. Jorah returns to Yezzan and asks to fight in the pits. Daenerys accepts Tyrion into her council. Arriving in Hardhome, Jon and Tormund recruit five thousand Wildlings but an army of wights attacks them. Jon kills a White Walker with Longclaw, his Valyrian steel sword. As he, Tormund, and the other survivors escape by sea, they witness the Night King reanimating the dead Wildlings.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 49
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = The Dance of Dragons
|WrittenBy = David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
|DirectedBy = David Nutter
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|6|7}}
|ShortSummary = Ramsay leads a covert attack on Stannis' camp, destroying siege equipment, food stores, and killing many horses. After dispatching Davos to Castle Black to request more supplies, Stannis, with Selyse's approval, allows Melisandre to sacrifice Shireen, burning her alive at the stake, believing it will help win the war. Jon and the other survivors return to the Wall, allowing the Wildlings to pass South. In Dorne, Prince Doran has permitted Jaime and Bronn to return to King's Landing with Myrcella, provided Trystane accompanies them and serves on the small council in Oberyn's stead. Doran also pardons Ellaria and her daughters. Arya aborts her first assassination assignment after spotting Ser Meryn Trant accompanying Mace Tyrell, the Master of Coin, who has arrived in Braavos to negotiate with the Iron Bank. In Meereen, combat at Daznak's fighting pit resume. Daenerys is stunned that Jorah is among the fighters. His victory is interrupted when the Sons of the Harpy launch a surprise attack. Hizdahr is killed while Jorah saves Daenerys. The Harpies quickly swarm Daenerys and her supporters, forcing them and Jorah to retreat into the pit. Drogon suddenly arrives, burning many Sons of the Harpy; Daenerys mounts Drogon and commands him to fly away.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|Game of Thrones season 5
|EpisodeNumber = 50
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = Mother's Mercy
|WrittenBy = David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
|DirectedBy = David Nutter
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|6|14}}
|ShortSummary = Selyse, now distraught over Shireen's death, hangs herself, while half of Stannis' forces desert and Melisandre flees to Castle Black. The Boltons easily defeat Stannis' depleted army. Brienne finds Stannis on the battlefield and executes him for Renly Baratheon's murder. Theon kills Myranda after she catches him and Sansa attempting to escape Winterfell. The duo leap from the outer wall together. Cersei confesses her former relationship with Lancel and must atone by parading the streets naked, pelted with garbage, spit, and feces by jeering crowds. Upon reaching the Red Keep, Qyburn introduces her to the newest Kingsguard member, the reanimated Mountain, who is completely loyal. Jaime, Myrcella, Bronn, and Trystane set sail from Dorne, but Myrcella has been poisoned by Ellaria Sand and soon dies. Arya is punished, losing her sight, for violating the Faceless Men rules after killing Ser Meryn Trant for personal revenge. Varys arrives in Meereen to govern the city with Tyrion, Grey Worm, and Missandei, while Daario and Jorah search for Daenerys, who has been captured by a Dothraki horde. Samwell, Gilly, and Little Sam leave Castle Black for Oldtown where Samwell will train as a Maester. Mutineers, including Alliser Thorne and Jon's steward, Olly, fatally stab Jon, leaving his body in the courtyard.
|LineColor = #68411C
}}
}}
Cast
{{see also|List of Game of Thrones characters}}
=Main cast=
{{col-begin|width=80%}}
{{col-2}}
- Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister
- Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister
- Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
- Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
- Kit Harington as Jon Snow
- Aidan Gillen as Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish
- Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister
- Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell
- Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon
- Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth
- Carice van Houten as Melisandre
- John Bradley as Samwell Tarly
- Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark
- Kristofer Hivju as Tormund Giantsbane
{{col-2}}
- Hannah Murray as Gilly
- Conleth Hill as Varys
- Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth
- Michiel Huisman as Daario Naharis
- Nathalie Emmanuel as Missandei
- Dean-Charles Chapman as Tommen Baratheon
- Indira Varma as Ellaria Sand
- Maisie Williams as Arya Stark
- Jerome Flynn as Bronn
- Tom Wlaschiha as Jaqen H'ghar
- Alfie Allen as Theon Greyjoy / "Reek"
- Michael McElhatton as Roose Bolton
- Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton
- Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont
{{col-end}}
=Guest cast=
The recurring actors listed here are those who appeared in season 5. They are listed by the region in which they first appear:
{{col-begin|width=80%}}
{{col-2}}
==At and beyond the Wall==
- Peter Vaughan as Maester Aemon
- Owen Teale as Alliser Thorne
- Brian Fortune as Othell Yarwyck
- Michael Condron as Bowen Marsh
- Dominic Carter as Janos Slynt
- Ben Crompton as Eddison Tollett
- J. J. Murphy as Denys Mallister
- Will O'Connell as Todder
- Brenock O'Connor as Olly
- Ciarán Hinds as Mance Rayder
- Birgitte Hjort Sørensen as Karsi
- Zahary Baharov as Loboda
- Ross O'Hennessy as the Lord of Bones
- Murray McArthur as Dim Dalba
- Ian Whyte as Wun Wun
- Ali Lyons as Johnna
- Richard Brake as the Night King
==In the North==
- Elizabeth Webster as Walda Bolton
- Tara Fitzgerald as Selyse Florent
- Kerry Ingram as Shireen Baratheon
- Charlotte Hope as Myranda
==In the Vale==
==In Dorne==
==In King's Landing==
- Julian Glover as Grand Maester Pycelle
- Anton Lesser as Qyburn
- Ian Gelder as Kevan Lannister
- Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mace Tyrell
- Finn Jones as Loras Tyrell
- Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell
- Eugene Simon as Lancel Lannister
- Ian Beattie as Meryn Trant
- Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson as Gregor Clegane
- Paul Bentley as the High Septon
- Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow
- Hannah Waddingham as Septa Unella
- Will Tudor as Olyvar
- Josephine Gillan as Marei
==In Braavos==
- Mark Gatiss as Tycho Nestoris
- Gary Oliver as Ternesio Terys
- Oengus MacNamara as the thin man
- Faye Marsay as the Waif
- Sarine Sofair as Lhara
- Hattie Gotobed as Ghita
==In Slaver's Bay==
- Ian McElhinney as Barristan Selmy
- Jacob Anderson as Grey Worm
- Reece Noi as Mossador
- Joel Fry as Hizdahr zo Loraq
- Enzo Cilenti as Yezzan zo Qaggaz
- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Malko
- Meena Rayann as Vala
{{col-end}}
Production
=Crew=
File:Game of Thrones - Klis Fortress, location scouting 2.jpg at Klis Fortress, Croatia prior to season 5.]]
The writing staff for the fifth season includes executive producers and showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, producer Bryan Cogman, and Dave Hill, who was promoted to staff writer this season after previously working as an assistant to Benioff and Weiss.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/vf-hollywood/game-of-thrones-benioff-weiss-interview |title=The Surprising Connection Between Game of Thrones and Monty Python |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=March 24, 2014 |access-date=September 7, 2014}} Author George R. R. Martin, who had written one episode for each of the first four seasons, did not write an episode for the fifth season as he was working to finish writing the sixth novel of the series, The Winds of Winter.{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/07/george-rr-martin-winds-of-winter-over-show.html |title=George R. R. Martin Will Sit out Season Five of Game of Thrones to Finish Up His Next Book |publisher=Vulture |first=Kara |last=Warner |date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014}} The directing staff for the fifth season is Michael Slovis (episodes 1 and 2), Mark Mylod (episodes 3 and 4), Jeremy Podeswa (episodes 5 and 6), Miguel Sapochnik (episodes 7 and 8), and David Nutter (episodes 9 and 10). Nutter is the only returning director with the rest being first-time Game of Thrones directors.{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/15/game-of-thrones-season-5-directors/ |title='Game of Thrones' season 5 directors chosen |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=July 15, 2014}}
=Writing=
This season features more original material than previous seasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.com/12635996/game-of-thrones-season-five-spoilers/|title=Game of Thrones Season Five Outpaces the Book Series: Here's What You Need to Know|last=Kim|first=Monica|work=Vogue|date=March 17, 2015|access-date=May 6, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230839/http://www.vogue.com/12635996/game-of-thrones-season-five-spoilers/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/09/game-of-thrones-season-five-book-adaptations|title=Canon fodder: which version of Game of Thrones will you champion?|last=Ackerman|first=Spencer|work=The Guardian|date=April 9, 2015|access-date=May 6, 2015}} The deviations from Martin's novels are in part attributable to the way the television series has covered most of the novel series' published material and in part to the directors' opinions of the actors' abilities. For example, Sansa Stark arrives at Winterfell to marry Ramsay Bolton in "High Sparrow," a plotline that had been given to a minor character in the novels.{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/game-of-thrones-experts-high-sparrow-1798184109|title=Game Of Thrones (experts): "High Sparrow" A changed return to Winterfell charts a new course for Sansa|last=McNutt|first=Myles|work=The A.V. Club|date=April 26, 2015|access-date=April 28, 2015}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/24/game-thrones-tv-book-club-high-sparrow-changes-almost-everything/|title=Game of Thrones TV Book Club Sansa! Ramsay! Talking the Big Changes in 'High Sparrow'|last1=Busis|first1=Hilary|last2=Francich|first2=Darren|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=April 28, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/04/26/game-of-thrones-season-5-episode-3-review-high-sparrow-bye-sparrow/|title='Game Of Thrones' Season 5, Episode 3 Review: High Sparrow, Bye Sparrow|last=Kain|first=Eric|work=Forbes|date=April 26, 2015|access-date=April 28, 2015}} In an interview, show writer David Benioff explains that Sophie Turner's development as an actress was one of the reasons that they decided to give her character more dramatic scenes, saying, "Even if [child actors] come in and do a great audition, it’s so hard to know if they’re going to quite literally grow into the parts. With Sansa and Arya in particular, their storylines have become quite dark. It was such a gamble and the fact that they’ve both become such great wonderful actresses is a bit of a miracle."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/26/game-thrones-sansa-ramsay-interview|title=Game of Thrones producers explain changing Sansa's storyline|last=Hibbard|first=James|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=April 26, 2015|access-date=April 28, 2015}} Bryan Cogman added that it made more sense to give the Winterfell storyline to a proven actress who was already popular with viewers than to bring in a new character.
Other changes include the portrayal of Tommen as old enough to interact with Margaery and the Faith Militant as an adult, the speeding up or streamlining of several subplots, and the introduction of fewer new characters. According to Benioff and Weiss, "We felt we'd capsize the show if we put in every single character from the books."{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-season-5-spoilers-787348|title='Game of Thrones' EPs: Season 5 "Diverges a Bit More" From the Books (Video)|last=Couch|first=Aaron|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 9, 2015|access-date=May 6, 2015}} Critics particularly liked the decision to have Tyrion actually meet Daenerys at the end of "The Gift," which has yet to happen as of A Dance with Dragons.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2015/05/25/the-gift-lives-up-to-its-name-on-game-of-thrones/|title='The Gift' lives up to its name on 'Game of Thrones'|last=Stwart|first=Sara|work=New York Post|date=May 25, 2015|access-date=May 27, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/05/game-of-thrones-season-5-episode-7-roundtable-the-gift/394034/|title=Game of Thrones: The Meeting Viewers Have Been Waiting For|last1=Kornhaber|first1=Spencer|last2=Orr|first2=Christopher|last3=Sullivan|first3=Amy|work=The Atlantic|date=May 24, 2015|access-date=May 26, 2015}} David Benioff cited the television adaptation's faster pace as part of the rationale behind this decision.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/24/game-thrones-tyrion-dany-meet|title=Game of Thrones: Why those two iconic characters just met|last=Hibberd|first=James|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 24, 2015|access-date=May 26, 2015}}
=Filming=
Image:Patio de las doncellas.jpg stands in for the Water Gardens of Dorne.]]
Filming for the fifth season began in July 2014 in Belfast{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206062322/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/part-of-game-of-thrones-fifth-season-to-shoot-in-spain-1201256895/ |archive-date=December 6, 2016 |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/part-of-game-of-thrones-fifth-season-to-shoot-in-spain-1201256895/ |title=Part of 'Game of Thrones' Fifth Season to Shoot in Spain |work=Variety |first=John |last=Hopewell |date=July 2, 2014 |access-date=July 26, 2014|url-status=live}} and ended in December 2014. Locations in Northern Ireland included Titanic Studios, Belfast{{cite web |url=http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2015-04-10/virtual-tour-filming-locations-game-of-thrones-season-5/7 |title=Take a Virtual Tour of 'Game of Thrones' Season 5 Filming Locations |author= |date=October 4, 2015 |website=Conde Nast Traveler |publisher=Conde Nast |access-date=December 19, 2016 |quote=Take a virtual tour of Seville, Spain (standing in for new location Dorne), Croatia, and Northern Ireland}} and the cliff edge of Binevenagh Mountain. The Winterfell sets were in the village of Moneyglass.{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/2302290/sophie-turner-spotted-on-new-game-of-thrones-sets-is-sansa-stark-going-back-to-winterfell/ |title=Sophie Turner Spotted On New 'Game Of Thrones' Sets — Is Sansa Stark Going Back To Winterfell? |last=Stanley |first=Erin |date=August 2, 2016 |website=The Inquisitr |publisher=The Inquisitr News |access-date=December 19, 2016 |quote=Moneyglass, which is a small town in Northern Ireland, was the location selected for the rebuilt Winterfell sets in Season 5.}}
Some of the scenes that take place in the principality of Dorne were filmed in Spain, beginning in October 2014.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201192128/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain |archive-date=February 1, 2017 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain|title=Game of Thrones fifth series: more than 10,000 Spaniards apply to be extras|last=Burgen|first=Stephen|work=The Guardian|date=July 6, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014|url-status=live}} Locations explored for the production included the Alcázar of Seville and the University of Osuna.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201192128/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain |archive-date=February 1, 2017 |last=Burgen|first=Stephen|title=Game of Thrones fifth series: more than 10,000 Spaniards apply to be extras|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2014/jul/06/game-of-thrones-fifth-series-10000-spaniards-extras-spain|date=July 26, 2014|access-date=July 26, 2014|work=The Guardian|url-status=live}} On October 14, some scenes were filmed on the Roman bridge of Córdoba.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081106/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/10/16/game-of-thrones-filming-at-the-alcazar-palace-in-seville-spain/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title='Game of Thrones' filming at the (Unesco World Heritage site) the Alcázar Palace in Seville, Spain|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/10/16/game-of-thrones-filming-at-the-alcazar-palace-in-seville-spain/|access-date=October 17, 2014|publisher=onlocationvacations.com|date=October 16, 2014|url-status=live}} Benioff and Weiss said that season 5 would include flashbacks, which they had previously avoided, and that Córdoba would represent the city of Volantis.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630195000/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_5_flashbacks_volantis_spain_winds_of_winter_spoilers-2014-10 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |last1=Schwartz|first1=Terri|title='Game of Thrones' EPs confirm Season 5 flashbacks, Volantis setting|url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/game_of_thrones_season_5_flashbacks_volantis_spain_winds_of_winter_spoilers-2014-10|access-date=December 17, 2014|work=Zap2it|date=October 16, 2014|url-status=dead}}
Cersei's "walk of atonement" from A Dance with Dragons was filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia, in the Stradun street between the Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Sponza Palace{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052119/http://www.idigitaltimes.com/game-thrones-season-5-spoilers-naked-walk-kings-landing-front-500-people-confirmed-certain-376139 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |last=Kumar|first=Ajay|title='Game Of Thrones' Season 5 Spoilers: Naked Walk In Kings Landing In Front Of 500 People Confirmed For A Certain Unfortunate Actress|url=http://www.idigitaltimes.com/game-thrones-season-5-spoilers-naked-walk-kings-landing-front-500-people-confirmed-certain-376139|access-date=July 29, 2014|work=International Digital Times|date=July 28, 2014}} in early October 2014. The production reportedly employed a body double for Lena Headey for part of the scene in which Cersei appears naked.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314085502/http://www.vulture.com/2014/10/they-finally-shot-game-of-thrones.html |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |last1=Jones|first1=Nate|title=They Finally Shot That Cersei Scene on Game of Thrones|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/10/they-finally-shot-game-of-thrones.html|access-date=October 5, 2014|work=Vulture|date=October 3, 2014|url-status=live}}
Meereen scenes were once again shot in Diocletian's Palace in Split, and on Klis Fortress north of Split.
A town on the coast of the Bay of Kaštela in Croatia, the 16th century Kaštel Gomilica stood in for some parts of Braavos.
A very small portion of one episode was filmed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada: the scenes featuring Jon Snow's wolf Ghost (played by animal actor Quigly) who also appears in season 6.{{cite news |last=Volmers |first=Eric |date=July 7, 2016 |title=Wolf trainer Andrew Simpson |url=http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/07/07/wolf-trainer-andrew-simpson |newspaper=Calgary Sun |location=Calgary |access-date=December 19, 2016}}
=Casting=
File:JonathanPryce2007 cropped.jpg plays the High Sparrow.]]
The fifth season adds previously recurring actors Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis), Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Dean-Charles Chapman (Tommen Baratheon), Tom Wlaschiha (Jaqen H'ghar) and Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton) to the series' main cast.{{cite magazine|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/02/07/game-of-thrones-series-regular/|title='Game of Thrones' scoop: See who's becoming a series regular|last=Hibberd|first=James|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 7, 2014|access-date=May 15, 2014}}
In the fifth season, the region of Dorne is introduced as a location. Alexander Siddig joins the cast as Doran Martell, the ruling Prince of Dorne, and elder brother of Oberyn Martell, while his son Trystane Martell is portrayed by Toby Sebastian. The role of Cersei's daughter Myrcella Baratheon, who is Doran's ward and betrothed to Trystane is played by Nell Tiger Free. The role was portrayed by Aimee Richardson in the first two seasons. DeObia Oparei portrays Areo Hotah, the captain of the Dornish palace guard. The three eldest bastard daughters of Oberyn Martell (collectively known as the "Sand Snakes") are portrayed by Keisha Castle-Hughes (Obara Sand), Jessica Henwick (Nymeria Sand), and Rosabell Laurenti Sellers (Tyene Sand).
In King's Landing, Jonathan Pryce joins the cast as the High Sparrow, the leader of the militant faithful in King's Landing, while Hannah Waddingham portrays Septa Unella, one of the "Most Devout", the ruling council of the Faith of the Seven.{{cite news|last=Pahle|first=Rebecca|title=Game of Thrones Keeps Casting New Characters, One Of Them Is Not Arianne Martell|url=http://www.themarysue.com/game-of-thrones-s5-casting-lost/|access-date=December 17, 2014|work=The Mary Sue|date=October 17, 2014}} Nell Williams was cast as a young Cersei Lannister seen in flashbacks,{{cite news|title=Nell Williams revealed as Young Cersei character for Game of Thrones season five|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11327635/Nell-Williams-revealed-as-Young-Cersei-character-for-Game-of-Thrones-season-five.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11327635/Nell-Williams-revealed-as-Young-Cersei-character-for-Game-of-Thrones-season-five.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=January 6, 2015|work=The Telegraph|date=January 6, 2015}}{{cbignore}} while Jodhi May was cast as Maggy the Frog, a fortune-teller.{{cite news|title='Game Of Thrones' Season 5 Flashback Scene Plus Other Casting Updates|url=http://au.ibtimes.com/game-thrones-season-5-flashback-scene-plus-other-casting-updates-1414558|access-date=January 24, 2015|work=International Business Times|date=January 23, 2015|archive-date=January 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131072243/http://au.ibtimes.com/game-thrones-season-5-flashback-scene-plus-other-casting-updates-1414558|url-status=dead}}
Across the Narrow Sea, Enzo Cilenti joins as Yezzan, a Yunkish nobleman and slave trader,{{cite news|last=Friedlander|first=Whitney|title='Game of Thrones' Announces New Cast Members|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/game-of-thrones-jonathan-pryce-season-five-1201269132/|access-date=July 26, 2014|work=Variety|date=July 25, 2014}} while Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje was cast as Malko, a slaver, who does not appear in the novels.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/17/losts-adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje-joins-game-of-thrones|title=Lost's Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje joins Game of Thrones|last=Haas|first=Rachel|publisher=IGN|date=October 16, 2014|access-date=October 17, 2014}} At Castle Black and beyond the Wall, new cast members include Michael Condron as Bowen Marsh, First Steward of the Night's Watch.{{cite news|last=Pantozzi|first=Jill|title=Game of Thrones Casting News And An Update On The Church Nudity Scandal|url=http://www.themarysue.com/game-of-thrones-casting-nudity-scandal/|access-date=December 17, 2014|work=The Mary Sue|date=August 28, 2014}} J. J. Murphy, who was cast as Night's Watch officer Denys Mallister, died in August 2014 shortly after filming his first scenes; his role was not recast.{{cite news|last=O'Neal|first=Sean|title=Game Of Thrones actor dies days after filming first scenes|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/game-thrones-actor-dies-days-after-filming-first-s-208001|access-date=August 12, 2014|work=The A.V. Club|date=August 11, 2014}} One role that was recast for season 5 was Ross O'Hennessy as the Lord of Bones. O'Hennessy replaces Edward Dogliani who was last seen in the season 3 premiere "Valar Dohaeris".{{cite web|title=Casting News: Fargo, Preacher, American Horror Story & Black Sails|url=http://ultima-ora.zazoom.it/notizia/381251/casting-news-fargo-preacher-american-horror-story-e-black-sails|website=zazoom|access-date=March 26, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402184933/http://ultima-ora.zazoom.it/notizia/381251/casting-news-fargo-preacher-american-horror-story-e-black-sails|url-status=dead}} Charles Dance, whose character died in the previous season, returned for one episode to portray Tywin Lannister's corpse.{{cite web|date=November 18, 2014|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/18/charles-dance-on-tywin-lannister-s-s5-return-a-game-of-thrones-movie-and-sexy-peter-dinklage.html|title=Charles Dance on Tywin Lannister's S5 Return, A 'Game of Thrones' Movie,' and Sexy Peter Dinklage|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=November 27, 2014}} Isaac Hempstead-Wright (Bran Stark), Kristian Nairn (Hodor) and Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed) are absent this season because their part in the story has reached the end of A Dance with Dragons.{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' showrunner explains why Bran is not in season 5|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/11/05/game-of-thrones-why-bran-season-5/|access-date=November 5, 2014|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 5, 2014}}{{cite magazine|last=Rhodan|first=Maya|title=Game of Thrones Season 5 Will Not Feature Bran Stark, Hodor|url=https://time.com/3265518/game-of-thrones-season-5-will-not-feature-bran-stark-hodor/|access-date=September 3, 2014|magazine=Time|date=September 3, 2014}}
=Music=
{{main|Game of Thrones: Season 5 (soundtrack)}}
The soundtrack for the season was released digitally on June 9, 2015, and on CD on July 17, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.hypable.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-soundtrack-release/ |title='Game of Thrones' season 5 soundtrack available digitally today |publisher=Hypable |first=Michael |last=Schick |date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=December 7, 2015}}
Reception
=Critical response=
{{Television Rotten Tomatoes scores| title = Game of Thrones
| label = Season 5| year = 2015| color = #68411C| align=right
| ref = {{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game_of_thrones/s05 |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
| 96| 96| 100| 96| 96| 54| 83| 100| 83| 92}}
The fifth season was met with mostly positive reviews, though many deemed it to be weaker than its predecessors. On Metacritic, the season (based on the first four episodes) has a score of 91 out of 100 based on 29 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/game-of-thrones/season-5 |title=Game of Thrones - Season 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=April 10, 2015}} On Rotten Tomatoes, the fifth season has a 93% approval rating from 574 critics with an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Bloody action and extreme power plays return full throttle, as Game of Thrones enjoys a new-found liberation from the world of the source material, resulting in more unexpected thrills."
The Daily Telegraph stated in regards to the premiere episode, "Essentially, this was an exercise in scene setting, the chess pieces being laid out on the board."{{Cite web |title=Game of Thrones Season 5 premiere, review: 'encouragingly bold' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11480846/game-of-thrones-season-5-wars-to-come-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/game-of-thrones/11480846/game-of-thrones-season-5-wars-to-come-review.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |date=March 19, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |first=Benji |last=Wilson |website=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} New York Daily News praised the season to have "little trouble keeping its pedal to the metal" due to its "cold-blooded characters treating personnel turnover as the natural order", when other shows "are starting to run out of gas by Season 5".{{Cite web |last=Hinckley |first=David |title='Game of Thrones' review: Season 5 of HBO series doesn't dawdle in premiere |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/game-thrones-review-season-5-doesn-dawdle-article-1.2171494 |date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |website=New York Daily News}} Slant Magazine gave the season 3.5 out of 4 and stated, "There's plenty of death in the fifth season of the show, and it's understood as a cautionary symbol of power."{{Cite web |last=Cabin |first=Chris |title=Review: Game of Thrones: Season Five |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/game-of-thrones-season-five/ |website=Slant Magazine |date=April 7, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |language=en-US}} Vanity Fair called this season "rich, satisfying and fantastically put together".{{Cite magazine |last=Lawson |first=Richard |date=April 8, 2015 |title=Review: Game of Thrones Is Better Than Ever in Season 5 |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/04/game-of-thrones-season-5-review|access-date=July 27, 2021 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}} Variety gave the season a positive review and stated, "Operating on a scale like nothing else on TV, and creatively liberated to play a long game stretching into the future, perhaps no project better distinguishes HBO's status as the leading premium player."{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=April 8, 2015 |title=TV Review: 'Game of Thrones,' Season 5 |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/reviews/tv-review-game-of-thrones-season-5-1201466128/|access-date=July 27, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} IndieWire gave the season a score of 'B+' and found the "first few episodes skew dry, concerned largely with the establishment of allegiances", but still praised them for keeping the audiences "connected to those who have managed to survive thus far in the battle for power."{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Liz Shannon |date=April 8, 2015 |title=Review: 'Game of Thrones' Season 5 May Falter at Times, But Is Undeniably Human |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/04/review-game-of-thrones-season-5-may-falter-at-times-but-is-undeniably-human-63327/|access-date=July 27, 2021 |website=IndieWire |language=en}}
The Boston Globe gave the season a positive review and stated, "The funny thing about Game of Thrones is that it's built on familiar genres and yet it appeals to those who may not be fans of those genres."{{Cite web |title=Review: New Season Promises More Bold Moves |url=http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/television/2015/04/09/new-season-thrones-promises-more-bold-moves/Nrk2LLD6omKrVIWaH3HjbL/story.htm |website=The Boston Globe |first=Matthew |last=Gilbert |date=April 9, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2021 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} James Poniewozik of Time gave the season a positive review and stated, "Game of Thrones is flying, full tilt, toward a destination off the edge of our map of the known world. I can't wait to see what it finds there."{{Cite magazine |title=Review: Game of Thrones Explores Uncharted Territory in Season 5 |url=https://time.com/3767866/game-of-thrones-season-5-review/ |date=April 9, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |magazine=Time |first=James |last=Poniewozik |language=en}} Salon.com gave the season a positive review and stated, "In the fifth season, the story has been distilled to just the moments of pathos and characterization and gorgeous direction that make the story work."{{Cite web |date=April 9, 2015 |title="Game Of Thrones": HBO throws out George R.R. Martin's books -- and saves the show |url=https://www.salon.com/2015/04/09/%e2%80%9cgame_of_thrones%e2%80%9d_hbo_throws_out_george_r_r_martins_books_and_saves_the_show/ |access-date=July 27, 2021 |first=Sonia |last=Saraiya |website=Salon |language=en}} Slate was concerned about the fact that the season "pulls even further away from the novels (the Sansa plot will drive some fans crazier than King Aerys)", though still thought it was "better for it".{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Jonathan L. |date=April 9, 2015 |title=The New Season of Game of Thrones Is at Its Best When It Diverges From the Books |url=https://slate.com/culture/2015/04/game-of-thrones-season-5-review-the-show-is-at-its-best-when-it-diverges-from-the-books-completely.html|access-date=July 27, 2021 |website=Slate |language=en}}
The A.V. Club gave the season a score of 'A−' and stated, "Benioff and Weiss are making the same show but with slightly different rhythms, relying more on character shading and interplay than on staging the next massacre."{{Cite web |title=Game Of Thrones charts an exciting, fraught path in its bloody fifth season |url=https://www.avclub.com/game-of-thrones-charts-an-exciting-fraught-path-in-its-1798183405 |date=April 10, 2015 |access-date=July 27, 2021 |first=Joshua |last=Alston |website=The A.V. Club |language=en-us}} Christopher Orr of The Atlantic found the season to be an improvement over the source material in terms of pace and focus.{{Cite web |last=Orr |first=Christopher |date=April 10, 2015 |title=With Season Five, 'Game of Thrones' Transcends the Failings of the Books |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/04/game-of-thrones/389943/|access-date=July 27, 2021 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}} David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the season 4 out of 4 and eulogized the "greater sense of urgency",{{Cite web |last=Wiegand |first=David |date=April 9, 2015 |title='Game of Thrones' is more gripping than ever |url=https://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/TV-Thrones-is-more-gripping-than-ever-6184561.php|access-date=July 27, 2021 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}} while The New York Times praised the "overall feeling of recharging and regeneration".{{Cite news |last=Hale |first=Mike |date=April 9, 2015 |title=On 'Game of Thrones,' a Change of Scene |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/10/arts/television/on-game-of-thrones-season-5-a-change-of-scene.html|access-date=July 27, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}} Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times gave the season a positive review and stated, "Breathtaking, heartbreaking, awe-inspiring and addictive, it remains the single most remarkable feat of television, possibly ever, increasingly admirable for its ability to grow rather than simply sustain."{{Cite web |last=McNamara |first=Mary |date=April 11, 2015 |title=Review: 'Game of Thrones' enters Season 5 at war with it all |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-game-of-thrones-season-five-review-20150411-column.html |access-date=July 27, 2021 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
The only major publication to give the season a negative review was John Doyle of The Globe and Mail who stated, "A certain character says to someone who had been believed to be dangerous: "You're not terrifying, you're boring!" I'm with that character, all the way. Yes, everyone's a critic, Ms. Atwood."{{Cite news |title=John Doyle: What saves Game of Thrones is the acting |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/john-doyle-what-saves-game-of-thrones-is-the-acting/article23878554/ |date=April 10, 2015 |first=John |last=Doyle |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=July 27, 2021}}
The sixth episode, "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" was heavily criticized due to the showrunners' decision to have a well-liked character suffer a sexual assault. It received a rating of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, lower than any previous episode of the show.{{cite web |title=Game of Thrones - Season 5, Episode 6 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game_of_thrones/s05/e06/|access-date=May 29, 2015 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango}} The eighth episode, "Hardhome", received significant praise and was immediately regarded as one of the best episodes in the series.{{cite web |title=Game of Thrones - Season 5, Episode 8 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/game_of_thrones/s05/e08/|access-date=June 1, 2015 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango}} According to Business Insider, "Despite the attacks, Game of Thrones remains a steady hit."
Season 5 featured more significant changes from the novels. Some of the changes were more well-received than others (the sexual assault scene was heavily criticized and caused great controversy).{{cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |date=May 17, 2015 |title=Game of Thrones Absolutely Did Not Need to Go There with Sansa Stark |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/game-of-thrones-rape-sansa-stark|access-date=June 18, 2015 |magazine=Vanity Fair}} The various plotlines for the season also differed significantly in reception. The Dornish subplot received an overwhelmingly negative reception.{{cite web |last=Stauffer |first=Derek |date=June 16, 2015 |title='Game of Thrones' Season 5: Where the Dorne Story Went Wrong |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-where-the-dorn-56738.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616204212/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/game-of-thrones/game-of-thrones-where-the-dorn-56738.aspx|archive-date=June 16, 2015|access-date=May 18, 2019 |website=BuddyTV}} In particular, the hyped Sand Snakes were maligned by critics and fans alike, as many found them cheesy and unlikeable.{{cite web |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=May 24, 2015 |title=Game of Thrones' Biggest Problem Isn't The Boltons, It's Dorne |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2015/05/24/game-of-thrones-biggest-problem-isnt-the-boltons-its-dorne/|access-date=June 18, 2015 |work=Forbes}} In contrast, Tyrion's storyline was highly praised. Many fans felt that his subplot progressed overly slowly in the novels, and his meeting with Daenerys was particularly lauded.{{cite web |last=Crow |first=David |date=June 17, 2015 |title=Game of Thrones: The 15 Best (and 11 Worst) Book Changes |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/game-of-thrones/246959/game-of-thrones-the-15-best-and-11-worst-book-changes|access-date=May 18, 2019 |publisher=Den of Geek}}
=Ratings=
{{see also|Game of Thrones#Viewer numbers}}
The gross viewing figure per episode for the show, which include streaming, DVR recordings and repeat showings, averaged at 20 million this season.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jul/31/game-of-thrones-likely-to-continue-for-three-more-seasons-hbo-says|title=Game of Thrones likely to continue for three more seasons, HBO says |work=The Guardian |date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=July 22, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://tvline.com/2015/07/07/game-of-thrones-season-5-ratings-most-watched/ |title=Ratings: Game of Thrones Season 5 Breaks 20 Million-Viewer Barrier |first=Matt Webb |last=Mitovich |date=July 7, 2015 |work=TVLine |access-date=July 22, 2016}}
{{Television episode ratings
| noshare = y
| title1 = The Wars to Come
| date1 = April 12, 2015
| rs1 = 4.2
| dvr1 = 1.0
| dvrv1 = 2.07
| total1 = 5.2
| title2 = The House of Black and White
| date2 = April 19, 2015
| rs2 = 3.6
| dvr2 = 1.2
| dvrv2 = 2.0
| total2 = 4.8
| title3 = High Sparrow
| date3 = April 26, 2015
| rs3 = 3.5
| dvr3 = 1.2
| dvrv3 = 2.42
| total3 = 4.7
| title4 = Sons of the Harpy
| date4 = May 3, 2015
| rs4 = 3.6
| dvr4 = 0.9
| dvrv4 = 1.73
| total4 = 4.5
| title5 = Kill the Boy
| date5 = May 10, 2015
| rs5 = 3.5
| dvr5 = 1.5
| dvrv5 = 2.79
| total5 = 5.0
| title6 = Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken
| date6 = May 17, 2015
| rs6 = 3.1
| dvr6 = 1.4
| dvrv6 = 2.55
| total6 = 4.5
| title7 = The Gift
| date7 = May 24, 2015
| rs7 = 2.5
| dvr7 = 2.0
| dvrv7 = 3.47
| total7 = 4.5
| title8 = Hardhome
| date8 = May 31, 2015
| rs8 = 3.4
| dvr8 = 1.7
| dvrv8 = 2.93
| total8 = 5.1
| title9 = The Dance of Dragons
| date9 = June 7, 2015
| rs9 = 3.6
| dvr9 = 1.6
| dvrv9 = 2.79
| total9 = 5.2
| title10 = Mother's Mercy
| date10 = June 14, 2015
| rs10 = 4.1
| dvr10 = 1.3
| dvrv10 = 2.31
| total10 = 5.4
}}
{{note|ratings-1|1}} Live +7 ratings were not available, so Live +3 ratings have been used instead.
Business Insider noted a significant difference in the ratings between this season and previous seasons. The typical pattern involves "Solid premiere viewings followed by a slow but steady gain of momentum through to the finale. Historically, the finale episodes of each season have beaten the premiere for total number of viewers". However, this season showed a significant decline from 8 million viewers at the premiere to 5.4 million at the seventh episode, "The Gift". Business Insider cites two likely reasons for the lower ratings: backlash over the rape scene in "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken", one of many deviations from the novels throughout the season that "have upset fans," and increased online streaming through HBO Now. It also acknowledged a possible effect of the first four episodes leaking online before the season premiere and the decision to air on Memorial Day weekend in the United States (a weekend that had been skipped in previous seasons). Business Insider reached out to HBO for comment, HBO responded that it is seeing an increase in overall viewer numbers this season taking into account streaming services, which are not included in Nielsen ratings.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-ratings-2015-5|title='Game of Thrones' ratings are falling: Here are two possible reasons why|last1=Acuna|first1=Kirsten|last2=Renfro|first2=Kim|date=May 28, 2015|work=Business Insider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529032648/http://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-ratings-2015-5|archive-date=May 29, 2015|access-date=May 18, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-ratings-2015-5|title=It's starting to look like fans are finally turning away from 'Game of Thrones'|work=Business Insider|last1=Acuna|first1=Kirsten|last2=Renfro|first2=Kim|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=May 28, 2015}} The dip in ratings did not extend to the eighth and ninth episodes, "Hardhome," and "The Dance of Dragons", which were both seen by over 7 million viewers.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-episode-8-ratings-2015-6|title=Why everyone's faith in this season of 'Game of Thrones' has been renewed in one chart|last=Acuna|first=Kirsten|work=Business Insider|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=June 4, 2015}} The season finale, "Mother's Mercy" was seen by 8.11 million people, setting a new record and making it the most watched episode of the series.
=Accolades=
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Game of Thrones}}
For the 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards, the series was nominated for Best Drama Series.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/05/05/critics-tv-choice-awards-2015-and-nominees-are|title=The Critics' Choice TV Awards 2015: And the nominees are...|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Shirley|last=Li|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=May 7, 2015}} For the 31st TCA Awards, the series was nominated for Program of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Drama.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2015/08/08/tca-award-winners-empire-program-of-year-2015/|title=TCA Awards 2015: Empire, Jon Hamm, Amy Schumer, Americans, Fosters and John Oliver Among Winners|publisher=TVLine|first=Michael|last=Ausiello|date=August 8, 2015|access-date=August 9, 2015}} For the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, the series received 24 nominations, the most of any series. It won 12 awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, Peter Dinklage for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Benioff and Weiss for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for "Mother's Mercy", and David Nutter for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for "Mother's Mercy". Nominations included Lena Headey and Emilia Clarke both for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Diana Rigg for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, and Jeremy Podeswa for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken".{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/emmy-award-nominations-2015-full-list-1201476759/ |title=Emmy Nominations 2015 – Full List |publisher=Deadline Hollywood |first=Patrick |last=Hipes |date=July 16, 2015 |access-date=July 16, 2015}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! style="width:40%;" | Nominee(s) ! Result ! class="unsortable" | {{Abbreviation|Ref.|Refeference}} |
|---|
| rowspan=57| 2015
|scope="row"| AFI Awards |scope="row"| AFI TV Award |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{won}} | {{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/afi-awards-best-films-television-2015-1201668201/|title=AFI Awards: Disney & Majors Dominate Film; Rookies Shine On TV Side|first1=Pete|last1=Hammond|first2=Nellie|last2=Andreeva|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 16, 2015|access-date=January 20, 2016}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"|5th Critics' Choice Television Awards
|scope="row"| Best Drama Series |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Most Bingeworthy Show
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"|31st TCA Awards
|scope="row"| Outstanding Achievement in Drama |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Program of the Year
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="7"| Gold Derby TV Awards 2015
|scope="row"| Best Drama Series |scope="row"|Game of Thrones | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best Drama Supporting Actor
|scope="row"| Peter Dinklage | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best Drama Supporting Actress
|scope="row"| Lena Headey | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best Drama Guest Actress
|scope="row"| Diana Rigg | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| Best Drama Episode
|scope="row"| "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| "Mother's Mercy"
| {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Ensemble of the Year
|scope="row"| The cast of Game of Thrones | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Artios Awards
|scope="row"| Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Television Series Drama |scope="row"| Nina Gold | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| EWwy Award
|scope="row" rowspan="2"| Best Supporting Actress, Drama |scope="row"| Maisie Williams | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Sophie Turner
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="7"|67th Primetime Emmy Awards
|scope="row" rowspan="2"|Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series |scope="row"| David Nutter for "Mother's Mercy" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Jeremy Podeswa for "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
|scope="row"| David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for "Mother's Mercy" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"|Outstanding Drama Series
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
|scope="row"| Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
|scope="row"| Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="17"|67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
|scope="row"|Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series |scope="row"| Nina Gold, Robert Sterne, and Carla Stronge | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="4"|Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series
|scope="row"| Fabian Wagner for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Anette Haellmigk for "Sons of the Harpy"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Rob McLachlan for "The Dance of Dragons"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Gregory Middleton for "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Costumes for a Fantasy Series
|scope="row"| Michele Clapton, Sheena Wichary, Nina Ayres, Alex Fordham for "The Dance of Dragons" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
|scope="row"| Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series
|scope="row"| Kevin Alexander, Candice Banks, Rosalia Culora, Gary Machin, Laura Pollock, Nicola Mount for Mother's Mercy | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Make-up for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)
|scope="row"| Jane Walker and Nicola Matthews for "Mother's Mercy" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Production Design for a Fantasy Program
|scope="row"| Deborah Riley, Paul Ghirardani, Rob Cameron for "High Sparrow", "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken", and "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series
|scope="row"| Jane Walker, Barrie Gower, and Sarah Gower for "Hardhome" | {{nominated}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama series
|scope="row"| Tim Porter for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Katie Weiland for "The Dance of Dragons"
| {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series
|scope="row"| Tim Kimmel, Paula Fairfield, Bradley C. Katona, Peter Bercovitch, David Klotz, Jeffrey Wilhoit, Dylan T. Wilhoit for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Series
|scope="row"| Ronan Hill, Richard Dyer, Onnalee Blank, Mathew Waters for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Special Visual Effects
|scope="row"| Steve Kullback, Joe Bauer, Adam Chazen, Jabbar Raisani, Eric Carney, Stuart Brisdon, Derek Spears, James Kinnings, Matthew Rouleau for "The Dance of Dragons" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Series
|scope="row"| Rowley Irlam | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| E! Online Best. Ever. TV. Awards
|scope="row"| Outstanding Drama Series |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="4"| Hollywood Post Alliance
|scope="row"| Outstanding Sound |scope="row"| Tim Kimmel, Paula Fairfield, Bradley Katona, Paul Bercovitch, Onnalee Blank, Mathew Waters for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Color Grading
|scope="row"| Joe Finley for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Editing
|scope="row"| Tim Porter for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Visual Effects
|scope="row"| Joe Bauer, Steve Kullback, Derek Spears, Eric Carney, Jabbar Raisani for "The Dance of Dragons" | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=2|British Society of Cinematographers
|scope="row"|Best Cinematography in a Television Drama |scope="row"|Fabian Wagner for "Hardhome" |{{nom}} |
| scope="row"|ACO/BSC/GBCT Operators TV Drama Award
|scope="row"|David Morgan, Sean Savage, Ben Wilson, David Worley for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Australian Production Design Guild
|scope="row"| Production Design for a Television Drama |scope="row"| Deborah Riley | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"|20th Satellite Awards
|scope="row"| Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film |scope="row"| Peter Dinklage | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best Television Series – Genre
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="4"|IGN Awards
|scope="row"| Best TV Series |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best TV Episode
|scope="row"| "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best TV Drama Series
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best TV Villain
|scope="row"| Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="4"|IGN People's Choice Awards
|scope="row"| Best TV Series |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best TV Episode
|scope="row"| "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best TV Drama Series
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best TV Villain
|scope="row"| Iwan Rheon as Ramsay Bolton | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="52"| 2016
|scope="row" rowspan="2"| Guinness World Records |scope="row"| Largest TV drama simulcast |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{won}} | {{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/8/maisie-williams-overjoyed-as-game-of-thrones-marches-into-guinness-world-records-394562|title=Maisie Williams overjoyed as Game of Thrones marches into Guinness World Records 2016|work=Guinness World Records|last=Lynch|first=Kevin|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2015}} |
| scope="row"| Most viewers sharing a single torrent file simultaneously
| scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{won}} | {{cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2017/7/game-of-thrones-10-records-deserving-of-the-iron-throne-481693 |title=Game of Thrones: 10 records deserving of the Iron Throne|work=Guinness World Records |last=Swatman |first=Rachel |date=July 14, 2017 |access-date=February 16, 2018}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3"| 42nd People's Choice Awards
|scope="row"| Favorite TV Show |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress
|scope="row"| Emilia Clarke | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| Shorty Awards
|scope="row"| Favorite TV Show |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" | {{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shorty-awards-2016-nominees-adele-857025|title=Shorty Awards Nominees Include Adele, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Ashley|last=Lee|access-date=February 12, 2016|date=January 19, 2016}} |
| scope="row"| GIF of the Year
|scope="row"| Game of Thrones Come At Me Bro | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Empire Awards
|scope="row"| Best TV Series |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} | {{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/awards2015/winners/hero.asp |title=The 2016 Jameson Empire Awards |work=Empire |publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |date=February 26, 2016 |access-date=February 27, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714065122/http://www.empireonline.com/awards2015/winners/hero.asp |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |df=mdy}} |
| scope="row"| Art Directors Guild Awards 2015
|scope="row"| One-Hour Single Camera Fantasy Television Series |scope="row"| Deborah Riley for "High Sparrow", "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" and "Hardhome" | {{won}} | {{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/adg-award-winners-2016-full-list-art-directors-guild-1201693936/ |title=Art Directors Guild Award Winners|first=Erik|last=Pedersen|date=January 31, 2016|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 1, 2016}} |
| scope="row"| Screenwriters Choice Awards
|scope="row"| Best Television Drama |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards
|scope="row"| Best Period and/or Character Makeup – Television |scope="row"| Jane Walker | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling – Television
|scope="row"| Kevin Alexander, Candice Banks | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Webby Award
|scope="row"| Best Overall Social Presence |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Location Managers Guild Awards
|scope="row"| Outstanding Locations in Period Television |scope="row"| Robert Boake and Tate Araez | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Cinema Audio Society Awards
|scope="row"| Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing - Television Series – One Hour |scope="row"| Ronan Hill, Richard Dyer, Onnalee Blank, Mathew Waters, Brett Voss for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"| American Cinema Editors Awards 2016
|scope="row" rowspan="2"| Best Edited One-Hour Series For Non-Commercial Television |scope="row"| Katie Weiland for "The Dance of Dragons" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Tim Porter for "Hardhome"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Costume Designers Guild Awards
|scope="row"| Outstanding Period/Fantasy Television Series |scope="row"| Michele Clapton for Game of Thrones | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| 68th Directors Guild of America Awards
|scope="row"| Dramatic Series |scope="row"| David Nutter for "Mother’s Mercy" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| American Society of Cinematographers
|scope="row"| Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Regular Series |scope="row"| Fabian Wagner for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| 73rd Golden Globe Awards
|scope="row"| Best Television Series – Drama |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2"|13th Irish Film & Television Awards
|scope="row"| Best Television Drama |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Actor in a Supporting Role – Television
|scope="row"| Liam Cunningham | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| MTV Millennial Awards
|scope="row"| Killer Series of the Year |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| 21st National Television Awards
|scope="row"| Best International Show |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Producers Guild of America Awards 2015
|scope="row"| "Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama" |scope="row"| David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, Bernadette Caulfield, Frank Doelger, Carolyn Strauss, Bryan Cogman, Lisa McAtackney, Chris Newman, Greg Spence | {{won}} | {{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/producers-guild-awards-winners-2016-pga-award-winner-list-1201689210/|title=PGA Awards: 'The Big Short' Wins Top Film Prize; 'Game Of Thrones' Takes Drama; 'Transparent' Nabs Comedy|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=January 23, 2016|access-date=January 24, 2016}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="5" | 42nd Saturn Awards
|scope="row"| Best Fantasy Television Series |scope="row"| Game of Thrones | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best Supporting Actor on Television
|scope="row"| Kit Harington | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Best Supporting Actress on Television
|scope="row"| Lena Headey | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series
|scope="row"| Maisie Williams | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Brenock O'Connor
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=3 | 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards
|scope="row"| Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Drama Series |scope="row"| Boian Anev, Richard Bradshaw, Jonathan Cohen, Christopher Cox, Jacob Cox, Matt Crook, Rob DeGroot, Levan Doran, Clint Elvy, James Embree, Bradley Farmer, Richard Hansen, Bobby Holland-Hanton, Radoslav Ignatov, Borislav Iliev, Rowley Irlam, Erol Ismail, Milen Kaleychev, Paul Lowe, Jonathan McBride, Sian Milne, David Newton, Radoslav Parvanov, Ian Pead, Jan Petrina, Rashid Phoenix, Andy Pilgrim, Dominic Preece, Marc Redmond, Paul Shapcott, Ryan Stuart, Pablo Verdejo, Calvin Warrington-Heasman, Annabel E. Wood, Danko Yordanov, and Lewis Young | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Performance by An Ensemble in a Drama Series
|scope="row"| Alfie Allen, Ian Beattie, John Bradley, Gwendoline Christie, Emilia Clarke, Michael Condron, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Ben Crompton, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Dillane, Peter Dinklage, Nathalie Emmanuel, Tara Fitzgerald, Jerome Flynn, Brian Fortune, Joel Fry, Aidan Gillen, Iain Glen, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Michiel Huisman, Brenock O'Conner, Daniel Portman, Iwan Rheon, Owen Teale, Sophie Turner, Carice Van Houten, Maisie Williams and Tom Wlaschiha | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
|scope="row"| Peter Dinklage | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Glamour Awards 2016
|scope="row"| Best UK TV Actress |scope="row"| Sophie Turner | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | Golden Reel Awards
|scope="row"| Best Sound Editing in Television, Short Form: FX/Foley |scope="row"| Tim Kimmel for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best Sound Editing in Television, Short Form: Dialogue / ADR
|scope="row"| Tim Kimmel for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Best Sound Editing in Television, Short Form: Music
|scope="row"| David Klotz for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| USC Scripter Award
|scope="row"| Best Adapted Screenplay |scope="row"| David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for "Hardhome" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="9" | Visual Effects Society Awards 2015
|scope="row"| Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode |scope="row"| Joe Bauer, Steve Kullback, Eric Carney, Derek Spears, Stuart Brisdon for "The Dance of Dragons" | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | Outstanding Animated Performance in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project
|scope="row"| Florian Friedmann, Jonathan Symmonds, Sven Skoczylas, Sebastian Lauer' for "Mother's Mercy" - Wounded Drogon | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| James Kinnings, Michael Holzl, Joseph Hoback, Matt Derksen for "Dance of Dragons" - Drogon Arena Rescue
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | Outstanding Created Environment in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project
|scope="row"| Dominic Piche, Christine Leclerc, Patrice Poissant, Thomas Montminy-Brodeur for "City of Volantis" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Rajeev B R., Loganathan Perumal, Ramesh Shankers, Anders Ericson for "Drogon Arena"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Outstanding Effects Simulations in an Episode, Commercial, or Real-Time Project
|scope="row"| David Ramos, Antonio Lado, Piotr Weiss, Félix Bergés for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Episode
|scope="row"| Eduardo Díaz, Guillermo Orbe, Oscar Perea, Inmaculada Nadela for "Hardhome" | {{won}} |
| scope="row"| Dan Breckwoldt, Martin Furman, Sophie Marfleet, Eric Andrusyszyn for "Drogon Arena"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Travis Nobles, Mark Spindler, Max Riess, Nadja Ding for "Drogon Lair"
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=2|Writers Guild of America Awards 2015
|scope="row"| Episodic Drama |scope="row"| David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for "Mother's Mercy" | {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Television Drama Series
|scope="row"| David Benioff, Bryan Cogman, Dave Hill, D. B. Weiss | {{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan=2|Canadian Society of Cinematographers
|scope="row"| TV series Cinematography |scope="row"| Robert McLachlan for "The Dance of Dragons" |{{won}} |
| scope="row"|TV series Cinematography
|scope="row"| Gregory Middleton for "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" |{{nom}} |
Release
=Broadcast=
The season was simulcast to 170 countries by HBO and its broadcast partners. In some countries, it aired the day after its first release.{{cite news|last=Steinberg|first=Brian|title=HBO's 'Game of Thrones' To Launch Season 5 Simultaneously Around the Globe|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/hbos-game-of-thrones-to-launch-fifth-season-simultaneously-around-the-globe-1201449695/|work=Variety|date=March 10, 2015|access-date=March 19, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2015/01/sky-atlantic-slots-game-thrones-season-5-april-13th/|title=Sky Atlantic Slots 'Game Of Thrones' Season 5 For April 13th|last=Munn|first=Patrick|publisher=TV Wise|date=January 9, 2015|access-date=January 11, 2015|archive-date=March 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331090229/http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2015/01/sky-atlantic-slots-game-thrones-season-5-april-13th/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://community.foxtel.com.au/t5/Foxtel-Blog/APRIL-on-FOXTEL-Game-Of-Thrones-Mad-Men-Wentworth-Deadline/ba-p/54546|title=APRIL on FOXTEL: Game Of Thrones, Mad Men, Wentworth, Deadline Gallipoli and 200+ other new shows|last=Higgins|first=D|work=The Green Room|publisher=Foxtel|date=March 30, 2015|access-date=March 31, 2015}} Sky Atlantic, the network serving the United Kingdom and Ireland, aired the premiere the day after HBO, but joined the simulcast for the rest of the season.{{cite news|title=Game of Thrones season 5: Sky Atlantic announces UK will join global simulcast for future episodes|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/game-of-thrones-season-5-sky-atlantic-confirms-uk-will-join-global-simulcast-for-future-episodes-10175696.html|work=The Independent|first=Jeff|last=Denham|date=April 14, 2015|access-date=April 15, 2015}}
=Marketing=
A half-hour documentary, Game of Thrones: A Day in the Life, aired on HBO on February 8, 2015. It covered one day of production of season 5 on three sets in Belfast, Dubrovnik and Osuna from the viewpoint of key crew members.{{cite magazine|last=Hibberd|first=James|title='Game of Thrones' season 5 'mystery' special details revealed – exclusive|url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2015/01/19/game-of-thrones-season-5-special/|access-date=January 19, 2015|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 19, 2015}} The first official trailer for season 5 was released on January 30, 2015,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/30/%E2%80%98game-thrones%E2%80%99-season-5-trailer-leaks-things-we-learned |title='Game of Thrones' season 5 trailer: HD version |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=January 30, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2015 |archive-date=January 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131162142/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/01/30/%E2%80%98game-thrones%E2%80%99-season-5-trailer-leaks-things-we-learned |url-status=dead }} and the season's second trailer was released on March 9, 2015.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/09/game-thrones-season-5-trailer-2 |title='Game of Thrones' releases action-packed new season 5 trailer |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=James |last=Hibberd |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015}} The world premiere of the first episode of the fifth season was held at the Tower of London on March 18, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/18/game-of-thrones-episode-one-series-five-spoiler-free-review |title=Game of Thrones review: nudity and violence at the Tower (spoiler-free) |first=Sarah |last=Hughes |date=March 19, 2015 |work=The Guardian |access-date=March 19, 2015}}
=Home media=
The season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on March 15, 2016, in region 1 and March 14, 2016, in region 2.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/ |title=Game of Thrones: Season 5 [Blu-ray + Digital HD] |website=Amazon |access-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901123724/http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VSG3MSC/ |archive-date=September 1, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Thrones-Season-5-DVD-x/dp/B010BY2AQ6/ |title=Game of Thrones - Season 5 [DVD] |work=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=November 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114015534/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Thrones-Season-5-DVD-x/dp/B010BY2AQ6/ |archive-date=November 14, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}
{{Television home release
| color = 68411C
| title = Game of Thrones: The Complete Fifth Season
| set_details =
- Format: AC-3, Blu-ray, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Language: English, French, Castilian, German
- Subtitles: English, French, Castilian, German, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, Turkish
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 5-disc set, 10 episodes
| special_features =
- "New Characters and Locations": Explores the new societies, cultures and locations of Season 5.
- "Anatomy of an Episode: Mother's Mercy": Behind the scenes of the season finale. From the early stages of the writer's room to the final visual effects.
- "The Real History Behind Game of Thrones Parts 1 and 2": Watch historians, along with George R. R. Martin, explore the interweaving inspirations of the actual players in the era known as "The Wars of the Roses" and other historical events in this two-part series.
- "A Day in the Life": Takes you behind-the-scenes of production in three countries, offering an inside look at the production process of Season 5.
- Deleted Scenes: Four deleted scenes.
- 12 audio commentaries by, among others, Benioff, Weiss, Dinklage, Headey, Harington, Coster-Waldau, Glen, Williams, Dormer, Christie and more.
Blu-ray exclusive:
- "The Dance of Dragons": Tells the story of the Greens and the Blacks, the Targaryen civil war that led to the downfall of the dragons, featuring surprise narration from notable characters from past seasons.
- "In-Episode Guide": In-feature resource that provides background information about on-screen characters, locations and relevant histories.
- "Histories & Lore": Learn about the mythology of Westeros as told from the varying perspectives of the characters themselves.{{cite web |url=http://movieweb.com/game-of-thrones-season-5-bluray-details-release-date/ |title=Game of Thrones Season 5 Blu-ray Details & Release Date Revealed |first=Brian |last=Gallagher |date=January 20, 2016 |publisher=MovieWeb |access-date=December 8, 2016}}
}}
=Illegal distribution=
On April 11, prior to the airing of the season's first episode, screener copies of the first four episodes were leaked to several file sharing sites.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/game-of-thrones-first-four-episodes-of-season-five-leaked-20150412-1mjg22.html |title=Game of Thrones: First four episodes of season five leaked |last=Bagshaw |first=Eryk |date=April 12, 2015 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=April 12, 2015}} According to TorrentFreak, 18 million different IP addresses downloaded the leaked episodes, totaling 32 million downloads during the first week.{{Cite web|url=https://torrentfreak.com/game-of-thrones-piracy-surges-to-new-high-150422/|title=Game of Thrones Piracy Surges to New High|author=Ernesto|publisher=TorrentFreak|date=April 22, 2015|access-date=April 29, 2015}} The fifth season of Game of Thrones was the most-pirated TV series in 2015.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310175113/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-12/28/game-of-thrones-tops-piracy-charts-2015 |title=Game of Thrones tops 2015's piracy charts|work=Wired|first=Matt |last=Kamen |date=December 28, 2015 |access-date=December 26, 2016|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones|Game of Thrones}} – official website
- {{IMDb episodes|0944947|Game of Thrones|season=5}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes TV|id=game-of-thrones/s05}}
{{A Song of Ice and Fire}}
{{Game of Thrones episodes|5}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Game of Thrones (season 5)
|list =
{{EmmyAward DramaSeries}}
{{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAward StuntEnsembleTelevision}}
}}