Thronecast

Lore & Background

Thronecast was originally devised by executive producers Ruby Thomas, Ben Boyer, and Koink Productions Ltd for Sky Digital Entertainment. It began as a series of 10-minute podcasts in April 2011, presented by Geoff Lloyd, corresponding to the first series of Game of Thrones. Annabel Port joined for the second series, and for the third series the show became a 15-minute on-air broadcast on Sky Atlantic, with new guest presenter Grace Dent. The fourth series was presented by Jamie East and Rachel Parris and was 30 minutes long. From the fifth series onward, Sue Perkins and Jamie East co-presented, with episode lengths varying from 30 to 70 minutes. The show was the only official aftershow for Game of Thrones until HBO aired After the Thrones in 2016.

Reader's Guide

Thronecast holds significance as the primary official aftershow for Game of Thrones in the United Kingdom, providing fans with exclusive interviews, analysis, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the series' run. Its format evolved significantly over eight series, from a brief online podcast to a full-length television program with special episodes such as the pre-series 'War Room' segments and a 90-minute gameshow titled 'Gameshow of Thrones' in the final series. The show's viewership peaked with the series 5 finale (560,000 viewers) and series 6 finale (587,000 viewers), each ranking as the second highest-rated broadcast of their respective weeks. Episode 3 of series 8 was the most viewed episode overall. Thronecast was produced by multiple production companies over its lifespan, including Koink Productions, CPL Productions, Sky Vision Productions, and Znak & Co Ltd. Its legacy lies in being a dedicated companion piece that engaged the fan community and offered a structured post-episode discussion format, later mirrored by HBO's own aftershow.

Did You Know?

• Thronecast originally began as a 10-minute online podcast in April 2011 before becoming a television show.
• The series 8 finale was 70 minutes long, the longest episode of the show.
• Series 8 included a 90-minute gameshow titled 'Gameshow of Thrones' and a 30-minute pre-finale episode titled 'Thronecast: The End Is Coming'.
• The series 6 finale was viewed by 587,000 viewers, making it the second highest-rated broadcast that week.