‘Game of Thrones’ season 5: George R.R. Martin on the TV process

There is little doubt right now than “Game of Thrones” is a global phenomenon. The show is one of the most-watched premium cable series ever, and it also has inspired a ton of merchandise, fan support, and conventions far and wide.

So with all of this of course comes more opportunities for A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin to come out and speak. The latest example of this came via the Edinburgh International Book Festival, where Martin spoke this week in an event that was of course mostly about his series, which he is working so hard on right now that he will not write a season 5 episode.

One of the fascinating quotes that he did give that is worthy of mentioning again is how he ended up making the decision to get the show on TV, and how he continues to focus on what he does best:

“It would have taken 9 films to do my books so I turned down film for TV, opting for HBO. I wrote one script for first season, watched auditions on video, but my job is to write books [and to not be involved with everything on TV]. It might have been different if I’d finished [the] series. The books are my baby. The show is their baby. Right now we’re the most expensive show on TV, with the biggest cast in history of TV…”

The good news is that Martin is getting close to finishing The Winds of Winter (or at least closer than he’s been), which will help to keep them ahead of the show for at least a while longer.

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Photo: HBO