There’s going to be another “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game of Thrones</a>” spinoff coming to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television" target="_blank" rel="noopener">television</a>.
Warner Bros. Discovery made an announcement confirming the prequel during a media event on Wednesday. This prequel, currently called “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,” is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Dunk and Egg” books.
The newly merged company also announced that the combined <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hbo-max" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HBO Max</a> and Discovery+ streaming service would be known as Max going forward, per <a href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/game-of-thrones-prequel-series-a-knight-of-the-seven-kingdoms-hbo-1235578466/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Variety</a>.
This newest spinoff will follow the story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and a young Aegon V Targaryen (Egg), which takes place 90 years before the events of “A Song of Ice and Fire,” which is the series that provided the storyline for “Game of Thrones.” 
The official project logline says: “A century before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros … a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”
The publication noted that Martin would serve as writer and executive producer. Ira Parker, who was a co-executive producer on Season 1 of “House of the Dragon,” is also part of the project.
“Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon” alums Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis will be executive producers on the new prequel series.
This is one of many “Game of Thrones” spinoffs currently in the works, but the only one besides “House of the Dragon” that’s been confirmed. &#8220;HOTD&#8221; launched in August 2022 and was renewed for a second season, which is currently in production.
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In 2021, HBO and HBO Max chief content officer Casey Bloys said future “Game of Thrones” spinoff shows would be decided based on which stories had the strongest content. 
“Obviously, we know George has this incredible world with all of this really rich and complicated history and all of these characters,” Bloys <a href="https://tvline.com/2021/01/21/game-of-thrones-dunk-and-egg-prequel-series-spinoff-hbo/">told</a> TVLine at the time. “So we’ve been trying to be thoughtful about what are the stories that are worth telling. What would be exciting? What would fans love?” he said. “Dunk and Egg is one of those, but not the only one.”
“We’ll let the creative dictate where we end up,” the network exec said.

George RR Martin

HBO Announces ‘Game Of Thrones’ Prequel Series ‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight’

HBO Announces 'Game of Thrones' Prequel Series 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight'

Entertainment

Game of Thrones

HBO Max

Television

U.S.

Famed rock musician Wilko Johnson, who played guitar with the group Dr. Feelgood and later had a part in the TV series “Game of Thrones,” died on Monday at the age of 75 after a remarkable battle fighting pancreatic cancer.
As far back as 2012, Johnson, whose <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBBfVBqQif8">choppy style of playing the guitar</a> became famous, was diagnosed as terminal and told he would live less than a year, but he later had a huge six-pound tumor removed and was termed “cancer free.”
“This is the announcement we never wanted to make, &amp; we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died,” Johnson’s Twitter feed posted on Wednesday morning. “He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family&#8217;s privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson.”
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This is the announcement we never wanted to make, &amp; we do so with a very heavy heart: Wilko Johnson has died. He passed away at home on Monday 21st November. Thank you for respecting the family&#39;s privacy at this very sad time. RIP Wilko Johnson. (Image: Leif Laaksonen) <a href="https://t.co/1cRqyi9b9X">pic.twitter.com/1cRqyi9b9X</a>
&mdash; Wilko Johnson (@wilkojohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/wilkojohnson/status/1595358840400248832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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At the time of Johnson’s terminal cancer diagnosis, his manager, Robert Hoy <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11461117/Wilko-Johnson-dies-aged-75-following-pancreatic-cancer-battle.html">stated,</a> “He said he wants to make the very best of the time he has left, playing and partying when he can. He is currently in good spirits and is not yet suffering any physical effects and can expect to enjoy at least another few months of reasonable health and activity.”
In 2013, Johnson <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/wilko-johnson-game-thrones-actor-dr-feelgood-guitarist-dies-75-rcna58518">told AP</a>, “I suddenly found myself in a position where nothing matters anymore. I’m a miserable so-and-so normally &#8230; I’d be worrying about the taxman or all the things that we worry about that get in the way of the real things. And suddenly it doesn’t matter. All of that doesn’t matter.
He added, “You walk down the street and you feel intensely alive. You’re &#8216;Oh, look at that leaf!&#8217; You’re looking around and you think, ‘I’m alive. Ain’t it amazing?’”
“That year thinking my life was at an end was one of the greatest years of my life,” Johnson recalled in 2017. “The way I handled it was at all times to understand. ‘Yes, I&#8217;m gonna die’ but don&#8217;t sit there wishing you aren&#8217;t gonna die because we&#8217;re all gonna die. I never felt self-pity. I was never in tears all that time.”
“Looking out at thousands and thousands of people [at Fuji Rock in Japan] and they all know you&#8217;re gonna die&#8230; oh man. I&#8217;m gonna die, but it&#8217;s alright. What a high,” he continued, adding, “It&#8217;s hard to know there are people suffering from cancer who don&#8217;t survive, and then me.”
Johnson appeared with Dr. Feelgood on various albums, including “Down by the Jetty,” “Malpractice,” “Sneakin&#8217; Suspicion,” and “Stupidity.” He later created the band Solid Senders before joining The Blockheads.
Johnson later played silent executioner Ser Ilyn Payne on “Game of Thrones.”

Wilko Johnson Performs At Queen’s Hall Edinburgh

Famed Rocker Wilko Johnson From Dr. Feelgood Dies

Music

Rock and Roll

Wilko Johnson

World

The most shocking thing about the most graphic birth scene on HBO’s “Game of Thrones” prequel series, “House of the Dragon,” is that it wasn’t shocking at all.
Showrunners have spent the entire first season of the drama vilifying motherhood and making childbirth a bloody, torturous affair that frequently ended in death. It’s not that these assertions about birth before modern medicine are incorrect – it’s just notable that series creators did little to balance out that narrative with scenes of women delivering their children without a heaping side of trauma.
<h3>Rhaenyra Delivers Her Stillborn Child</h3>
The “HOTD” series finale features the Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) being thrust into preterm labor moments after hearing that her ailing father, King Viserys (Paddy Considine), recently died. Rhaenyra’s stepmother and former friend Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) then had her son crowned king despite the fact that Viserys had named Rhaenyra his heir years before.
Rhaenyra labored alone while her terrified handmaidens stood nearby, begging to help her. She paced the room while screaming for her husband Daemon (Matt Smith) to come help her. But he’s too busy preparing to go to war with the traitors who stole the Iron Throne.
Eventually, Rhaenyra gave birth to a deceased newborn on the floor and the showrunners make no effort to cut away from the horrifying moment. Viewers clearly saw the newborn’s tiny, bloodied feet and her head hitting the hard floor as Rhaenyra pushed out her silent child. It’s a graphic scene that could have easily been a lot more subtle and still gotten the point across.
But again, this is par for the course for “House of the Dragon.”
<h3>The Show’s First Birth Was A ‘Bloodbath’</h3>
In the very first episode, fans were disturbed to witness Rhaenyra’s mother Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke), die during childbirth after her husband Viserys allowed an emergency c-section that he knew would kill his wife but could potentially save his unborn son.
This so-called “forced birth” scene was considered by many to be a statement against pro-life laws that limit women’s access to abortion.
“Yes it’s accurate in terms of historical context, but it’s still horrifying to see, &amp; doesn’t take away the point that she still should have had a choice about her own body,” one Twitter user <a href="https://twitter.com/FrankieT96/status/1561719699418890245" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared</a> of Aemma’s death during childbirth. “Very timely given Roe vs Wade &amp; how despite modern medicine, we’re still told what to do with our bodies.”
Brooke discussed filming the scene during an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-of-the-dragon-fans-erupt-over-forced-birth-scene-in-explosive-premiere" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with Variety. “It was a bloodbath,” the actress recalled. “Behind that belly was a whole bag full of blood and fluid. When the incision was made, they would have to time it with pumping this blood out of the belly.”
She said the fake blood was “cold and wet, seeping all over” and that the set “looked like a horror movie” after filming concluded.
The actress also addressed the connection between the c-section and abortion. “When we filmed it, it obviously didn’t cross my mind because it hadn’t happened,” Brooke said of Roe v. Wade being overturned in June.
“Now, you realize how shocking that is, that comparisons can be made between present day, and a woman’s body and the right to choose what happens to her body, and thousands of years ago,” Brooke continued. “I just think the fact that we’re even talking about it, is evident in itself. It’s very poignant what can happen within a year, and how far we can step back.”
<h3>Birth Is A Battlefield</h3>
During an interview with <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-birth-scene-too-violent-shown-to-women-2022-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider</a>, “House of the Dragon” showrunners Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal discussed the controversial birth scene, saying they wanted to portray birth as a “battlefield.”
Sapochnik said they ran the scene by “as many women as possible,” who all agreed it wasn’t “too violent.” He also declared that they “shouldn’t be shying away” from Aemma dying so brutally.
“As we stated earlier in the episode, the birthing bed is almost a battlefield,” the showrunner said. “You have 50 percent chance of survival. And so it seemed like this was an appropriate time to draw that parallel visually between the male and the female struggle. One’s fighting on the battlefield, the other’s fighting for survival — sometimes from the person closest to her.”
<h3>Laena Chooses To Be Burned Alive</h3>
Those two deadly births weren’t the only ones on the series. In episode 6 “The Princess and the Queen,” Daemon’s then-wife Laena went into labor but it quickly became clear the baby wouldn&#8217;t come out. Daemon was presented with an impossible choice just like his older brother Viserys – he’s told he can try to save the baby by permitting a c-section for Laena, or lose them both from failed labor. But he doesn’t have to make the choice after all.
Before Daemon can answer, Laena got up and walked outside to her dragon Vhagar. The desperate mother stood in front of the dragon and gave the command, “Dracarys!” Vhagar obeyed by breathing fire that burned both Laena and her unborn child alive.
<h3>Motherhood Is Shown As Joyless</h3>
It’s not just childbirth that’s portrayed as a death sentence, or worse, on the “Game of Thrones” spinoff prequel. Motherhood overall is shown as a heavy, joyless burden throughout the series.
For example, there’s the comparison of two chosen paths during episode 4, “King of the Narrow Sea.” In it, young Princess Rhaenyra shrugged off a bevy of potential suitors, then sneaked out into the town after dark for a night out with her mischievous uncle Daemon, who she’ll eventually wed. The two visited a sex club and exchanged an awkward moment where they almost gave in to their desire for each other.
Icky as they may be, these scenes are shown as exhilarating coming-of-age moments for teenage Rhaenyra. Snippets of the princess sneaking out for a good time are juxtaposed with images of her childhood friend Alicent, who chose the path of duty and became queen by marrying Rhaenyra’s father Viserys. While Rhaenyra has fun, Alicent joylessly holds a screaming baby and looks all the part of an exhausted mother.
The implication of these scenes is clear: getting married and having babies is dull, while exploring sex clubs with your creepy uncle is thrilling. Never mind the fact that as queen, Alicent had all the nannies she could want at her beck and call. Showrunners were clearly trying to show who chose the better path.
There’s no denying that childbirth was more dangerous before the advent of modern medicine and life-saving options including medicated c-sections. But for a popular series to portray childbirth as a likely death sentence feels intentional during the current culture war, which seeks to turn mothers against their own flesh and blood.

‘House Of The Dragon’ And ‘The Rings Of Power’ Series Photo Illustrations

Birth As A Battlefield: How ‘House Of The Dragon’ Turned Childbirth And Motherhood Into Death Sentences

Abortion

Hollywood

Readers Pass

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones">&#8220;Game Of Thrones&#8221;</a> star Maisie Williams broke down as she talked about what she called a &#8220;traumatic relationship&#8221; with her dad. Things got so bad that she wondered when would this &#8220;joy&#8221; thing she&#8217;d heard about happen for her.
During the 25-year-old actress&#8217; appearance on the &#8220;The Diary of A CEO&#8221; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpw_DbRqy5Q&amp;t=210s">podcast</a> Sunday, she told the host, Stephen Barlett, that as a young child before the age of 8 she knew all to well about concepts like &#8220;pain&#8221; and &#8220;fear.&#8221;
&#8220;I had quite a traumatic relationship with my dad &#8230;'&#8221; Willams shared. &#8220;That really consumed a lot of my childhood. Ever since I can remember I&#8217;ve struggled sleeping.&#8221;
&#8220;And I think a lot of the traumatic things that were happening, I didn&#8217;t realize they were wrong,&#8221; she added. &#8220;But I knew – I would look around at other kids and be like, &#8216;Why don&#8217;t they seem to understand this pain, or dread, or fear? Where does the joy – when does that come for me?'&#8221;
WATCH:
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&#8220;I&#8217;ve kind of always felt like I felt things very deeply in comparison to other people and so when that period of my life ended, I imagined that everything is just up from here, everything&#8217;s perfect now,&#8221; the superstar continued. &#8220;All those things I was concerned about were actually wrong and now, I&#8217;m sort of free. And then at different stages in life, you realize there&#8217;s never an end destination for that freedom, and that it kind of comes from within.&#8221;
At one point, Maisie — known for her role as Arya Stark on the hit <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones">HBO fantasy</a> — talked about how her mom &#8220;escaped&#8221; her dad when she was just four months old and explained how things were &#8220;bad&#8221; before that. She didn&#8217;t go into any further detail during the interview about what that meant as she fought back tears and had to stop several times when she got emotional.
In the Spring/Summer 2022 <a href="https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/maisie-williams-interview">British GQ Style</a> issue, the &#8220;Two Weeks to Live&#8221; star talked about landing such a life-changing role at the age of 12 on &#8220;GoT&#8221; and how she was &#8220;grateful&#8221; that they were protected until she was older.
&#8220;I&#8217;m grateful we were protected from it until that point, too,&#8221; Maisie shared about being put in the limelight in her mid-teens. &#8220;If that had happened when I was 12, I&#8217;m not sure what that would have done to me mentally.&#8221;

Maisie Willams-2

‘Game Of Thrones’ Star Gets Emotional Talking About ‘Traumatic Relationship’ With Her Dad During Her Childhood

Celebrities

Mental Health

“House of the Dragon” is a huge success for <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hbo-max" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HBO Max</a>, but that wasn’t enough to keep the co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik on staff.
Sapochnik announced Wednesday that he was leaving the popular “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game of Thrones</a>” prequel spinoff just a few days after the second <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television" target="_blank" rel="noopener">episode</a> dropped. He had previously worked on “Thrones” before scoring the leading role in the new project.
“Working within the ‘Thrones’ universe for the past few years has been an honor and a privilege, especially spending the last two with the amazing cast and crew of House of the Dragon,” Sapochnik said in a statement, per <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/house-of-the-dragon-miguel-sapochnik-leaving-1235208276/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hollywood Reporter</a>. 
“I am so proud of what we accomplished with season one and overjoyed by the enthusiastic reaction of our viewers. It was incredibly tough to decide to move on, but I know that it is the right choice for me, personally and professionally.”
The former showrunner went on to wish continued success to co-creator Ryan Condal and Alan Taylor, who is joining the show as a director after formerly working on “GOT” as well. “I wish Ryan and his team success and all the best with season two and beyond,” Sapochnik said.
Taylor said he was excited to join “House of the Dragon.”
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be back at HBO, immersing myself in the world of the Targaryens. I look forward to working closely with Ryan as House of the Dragon grows into its second season,” he said. “Ryan, Miguel and George [R.R. Martin] have launched an extraordinary story, in a rich and fascinating world. Returning to Westeros will be a huge undertaking and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The move comes after “HOTD” <a href="https://tvline.com/2022/08/29/ratings-house-of-the-dragon-episode-2-renewed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made history</a> by attracting nearly 10 million viewers on Sunday for the premiere episode, an HBO Max record. Episode two was also extremely successful and attracted even more viewers, which the publication noted was a rare feat for a new series. 
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Sapochnik was initially hesitant to join the “GOT” spinoff and only did so after Condal convinced him to do it. Now he’s decided to move on. 
“I went through a lot of vacillating,” Sapochnik said. “Ryan and I had a long-standing relationship and we work well together and we really like each other — that was half the battle. As we got deeper into the discussions, I realized I had to s*** or get off the pot.”

Comic-Con International 2016 – “Game Of Thrones” Panel

‘House Of The Dragon’ Showrunner Quits Just 2 Weeks After Big Series Premiere

“<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones">Game of Thrones</a>” fans are still fuming over the controversial final season, but that didn’t stop them from tuning in to the prequel spinoff “House of the Dragon,” which premiered Sunday on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hbo-max">HBO Max</a>.
The new series about another epic battle for the Iron Throne drew a record-breaking audience of close to 10 million viewers. This shattered records and made it the most-watched premiere in the network’s history.
Buzzfeed News <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paigeskinner/house-of-the-dragon-premiere-ratings">noted</a> that “House of the Dragon” was trending on Twitter for 14 hours this weekend and topped Google Trends as well. Fans kept the momentum going when the episode aired by posting their reactions, both good and bad, to the premiere episode. 
&#8220;House of the Dragon&#8221; is set 200 years before the story told in &#8220;Game of Thrones&#8221; and follows the rise and fall of House Targaryen. It details events leading up to the Targaryen war of succession, which is called the Dance of the Dragons. “Game of Thrones” fans will recognize names and events mentioned in the original series, and it’s all based on the book “Fire and Blood” by George R. R. Martin.
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“It was wonderful to see millions of &#8216;Game of Thrones&#8217; fans return with us to Westeros last night,&#8221; chief content officer of HBO and HBO Max Casey Bloys said in a news release, per Buzzfeed.
&#8220;&#8216;House of the Dragon&#8217; features an incredibly talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into the production, and we’re ecstatic with viewers’ positive response. We look forward to sharing with audiences what else [George R.R. Martin and showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik] have in store for them this season.”
It’s a good thing the premiere was so popular because the network sank a lot of capital into it. Per <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/20/house-of-the-dragon-and-rings-of-power-are-coming-whats-at-stake.html">CNBC</a>, it spent between $15 and $20 million making each episode. 
Feedback on episode one has been overwhelmingly positive, even though fans were disturbed by the graphic and bloody nature of the series so far. They were especially <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-of-the-dragon-fans-erupt-over-forced-birth-scene-in-explosive-premiere">moved by a scene</a> depicting Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke) dying during childbirth when she’s given a c-section to get the baby out.
No one who read the book was surprised. But viewers reacted strongly to losing a main character so soon, comparing the loss to “Game of Thrones” killing off Ned Stark in season one. 
Critics also used the so-called “forced birth” scene to draw comparisons to abortion bans, claiming it was a victory for the patriarchy since the queen’s husband ultimately approved the c-section which would kill his wife but could potentially save his son.
Ultimately, both the mother and child died.

‘House Of The Dragon’ Draws Record-Breaking Audience Of 10 Million Viewers For Premiere On HBO Max

'House Of The Dragon' Draws Record-Breaking Audience Of 10 Million Viewers For Premiere On HBO Max

This article contains spoilers for the first episode. 
“<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones">Game of Thrones</a>” fans were delighted that the highly anticipated prequel <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television">series</a> “House of the Dragon” debuted on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hbo-max">HBO Max</a> last night, but even those seemingly immune to gory content are reacting to one graphic scene in the series premiere.
The central story takes place about 200 years before the events in “Game of Thrones,” spanning the legacy of the Targaryen family. In the first episode, Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke) dies while giving birth to her son when her husband, King Viserys (Paddy Considine), opts to put his wife through an undermedicated and brutal c-section in an effort to save the sole male heir.
Fans reacted strongly to the emotional, graphic scene, plus reacted to what they called “forced birth” on the part of Queen Aemma.
“Still think the worse [sic] thing about Aemma’s death is how Viserys took away her ability to choose in favor of treating her like a broodmare,” one Twitter reviewer <a href="https://twitter.com/INEJSKNlVES/status/1561529386280566785">wrote</a>.
Another agreed, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShelbyAlexis___/status/1561530839644643328">saying</a>, “That birthing scene was brutal. Shedding tears!!”
“Damn Aemma Arryn lasted less episodes than Ned Stark,” a third <a href="https://twitter.com/alexr_241/status/1561530652910129153">said</a>, comparing the queen to a popular “Game of Thrones” character who got killed off in the first season in a surprise twist.
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Damn Aemma Arryn lasted less episodes than Ned Stark <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hotd?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hotd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HouseoftheDragon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HouseoftheDragon</a> <a href="https://t.co/ftPrA1JV1T">pic.twitter.com/ftPrA1JV1T</a>
&mdash; Alex (@alexr_241) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexr_241/status/1561530652910129153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Predictably, fans used the scene to draw comparisons between the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the notion of a man forcing his wife to die horrifically from a c-section in a non-medical setting. This was not necessarily the intent of showrunners, however, as the Supreme Court decision wasn’t handed down until after filming had concluded.
“Yes it&#8217;s accurate in terms of historical context, but it&#8217;s still horrifying to see, &amp; doesn&#8217;t take away the point that she still should have had a choice about her own body,” one Twitter user <a href="https://twitter.com/FrankieT96/status/1561719699418890245">shared</a>. “Very timely given Roe vs Wade &amp; how despite modern medicine, we&#8217;re still told what to do with our bodies.”
“Can&#8217;t wait to listen to men talk about what a great show House of the Dragon is all week. Meanwhile women are watching an exact mirror of the world we live in with forced birth, no rights, rape, violence, and murder at the hands of our husbands. ItS fAnTaSy ThO,” another <a href="https://twitter.com/FerikaBoss/status/1561757015545786368">wrote</a>.
Brooke discussed filming the scene during a recent interview with <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/house-of-the-dragon-birthing-scene-death-1235345763/">Variety</a>. “It was a bloodbath,” the actress recalled. “Behind that belly was a whole bag full of blood and fluid. When the incision was made, they would have to time it with pumping this blood out of the belly.”
She described the fake blood as “cold and wet, seeping all over.” Brooke mentioned that the set “looked like a horror movie” after filming concluded.
The actress directly addressed the connection between the c-section and abortion as well.
“When we filmed it, it obviously didn’t cross my mind because it hadn’t happened,” Brooke said of Roe v. Wade’s reversal.
“Now, you realize how shocking that is, that comparisons can be made between present day, and a woman’s body and the right to choose what happens to her body, and thousands of years ago. I just think the fact that we’re even talking about it, is evident in itself. It’s very poignant what can happen within a year, and how far we can step back.”
“House of the Dragon” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on HBO Max.

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‘House Of The Dragon’ Fans Erupt Over ‘Forced Birth’ Scene In Explosive Premiere

'House Of The Dragon' Fans Erupt Over 'Forced Birth' Scene In Explosive Premiere

Foxtel CEO <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emilia-clarke-australian-tv-ceo-insult_n_62fe907be4b0f48a02058056" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Patrick Delany</a> landed in hot water last week, angering a legion of &#8220;<a href="https://dailywire.com/news/we-told-you-not-to-name-your-dog-khaleesi-peter-dinklage-says-game-of-thrones-fans-shouldnt-have-been-surprised-by-the-ending/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Game of Thrones</a>&#8221; fans when he referred to actress <a href="https://dailywire.com/news/game-of-thrones-star-says-its-remarkable-shes-able-to-speak-after-suffering-two-life-threatening-brain-aneurysms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emilia Clarke</a> as &#8220;dumpy&#8221; at a premiere event for the series spin-off &#8220;House of Dragons.&#8221;
Delaney, who runs the Australian television company, admitted that he had been late to the &#8220;Game of Thrones&#8221; party and that at first, he hadn&#8217;t really understood the level of hype that surrounded it.
&#8220;I was like, &#8216;What’s this show with the short, dumpy girl walking into the fire?'&#8221; he said, referring to Clarke&#8217;s character Daenerys Targaryen.
&#8220;It felt like he was expecting us to laugh along,&#8221; one person who attended the event <a class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" role="link" href="https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/08/17/foxtel-emilia-clarke-game-of-thrones-short-dumpy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-vars-item-name="told Crikey" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="62fe907be4b0f48a02058056" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/08/17/foxtel-emilia-clarke-game-of-thrones-short-dumpy/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="article_body" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3">told Australian news outlet Crikey</a>, &#8220;but people in the room were obviously shocked by it.&#8221;
&#8220;Yeah, I was there for this, and turned to my mate for clarification as I simply didn&#8217;t believe someone would say that on mic,&#8221; film critic Travis Johnson added.
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Yeah, I was there for this, and turned to my mate for clarification as I simply didn&#39;t believe someone would say that on mic. <a href="https://t.co/GtOK67GJxh">https://t.co/GtOK67GJxh</a>
&mdash; Travis Johnson (@CelluloidWhisky) <a href="https://twitter.com/CelluloidWhisky/status/1559883318908268544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Author EK Johnson noted, &#8220;I will fully acknowledge that I am just overprotective of Emilia Clarke, but IMAGINE being a TV CEO at an event for a GoT spin-off, and the first adjective you can come up with for her is &#8216;dumpy.&#8217; Men do not deserve these kind of positions or paycheques.&#8221;
&#8220;Why is it that someone (that looks) like @PatrickDelany feel that it’s ok to make derogatory references to one of the greatest women of our time. Emilia Clarke was an unknown actress playing an unknown character and she made her infinitely iconic. What would your wife say?&#8221; @Hardbackwriter <a href="https://twitter.com/HardbackWriter/status/1561251959482499075">tweeted</a>.
&#8220;Imagine insulting Emilia Clarke. She&#8217;s legit like the sweetest celebrity ever if you watch even one of her interviews. The woman is impossible to dislike,&#8221; @chronokatie <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronoKatie/status/1561073659497906176">said</a>.
&#8220;Every man who insults a woman by commenting on her physical appearance should be very closely scrutinized by masses of people, his likeness magnified, every flaw &amp; cruelty exposed for commentary,&#8221; author Joyce Carol Oates <a href="https://twitter.com/JoyceCarolOates/status/1560997368530616322">remarked</a>. &#8220;It&#8217;s like police brutality — they will do it, as long as they can get away with it.&#8221;
A Foxtel spokesperson responded to the backlash with an official statement, saying, &#8220;The aim was to convey that for him, ‘Games of Thrones’ was something very different for television in 2011 and that Emilia Clarke went from relatively unknown to one of the most recognized and most-loved actors in television and film. On behalf of Mr. Delany, the Foxtel Group apologizes if his remarks were misunderstood and caused any offense.&#8221;

FRANCE-CANNES-FILM-FESTIVAL

TV CEO Insults ‘Game Of Thrones’ Actress — And The Fans Unleash Their Fury

TV CEO Insults 'Game Of Thrones' Actress — And The Fans Unleash Their Fury

Actor Sean Bean complained in a recent interview that professional intimacy coordinators ruin what could be very good sex scenes on film and in television — largely because they destroy any room for the actors to be spontaneous.
&#8220;It would inhibit me more because it’s drawing attention to things,&#8221; the &#8220;Game of Thrones&#8221; actor explained how having such a coordinator on the set could &#8220;spoil the spontaneity&#8221; of intimate scenes, according to a <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/sean-bean-intimacy-coordinators-1235335687/">piece Variety published</a> on Monday. &#8220;Somebody saying, ‘Do this, put your hands there, while you touch his thing … I think the natural way lovers behave would be ruined by someone bringing it right down to a technical exercise.&#8221;
Bean, who also played Boromir in Peter Jackson&#8217;s adaptation of &#8220;<a href="https://dailywire.com/news/sci-fi-writer-says-lord-rings-racist-because-it-emily-zanotti/">Lord of the Rings</a>,&#8221; went on to compare his experience on &#8220;Game of Thrones&#8221; with a very different vibe on the set of the BBC&#8217;s miniseries &#8220;Lady Chatterley&#8221; — in which he starred opposite actress Joely Richardson.
&#8220;&#8216;Lady Chatterly&#8217; was spontaneous,&#8221; the actor told the <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/25-best-secret-beaches-in-europe-q0q7zbh2g">U.K.’s Times Magazine</a>. &#8220;It was a joy. We had a good chemistry between us, and we knew what we were doing was unusual. Because she was married, I was married. But we were following the story. We were trying to portray the truth of what DH Lawrence wrote.&#8221;
Adding an intimacy coordinator, he said he &#8220;should imagine it slows down the thrust of it &#8230; Ha, not the thrust, that’s the wrong word. It would spoil the spontaneity.&#8221;
And although Bean appeared to prefer scenes where the actors were allowed a little room for spontaneity, he conceded that also left room for things to go too far and risk censorship of the final product.
&#8220;I think they cut a bit out actually,&#8221; Bean said of a scene from the series &#8220;Snowpiercer&#8221; — in which he and actress Lena Hall apparently used a mango in an intimate scene. &#8220;Often the best work you do, where you’re trying to push the boundaries, and the very nature of it is experimental, gets censored when TV companies or the advertisers say it’s so much. It’s a nice scene, quite surreal, dream-like and abstract. And mango-esque,&#8221; he said, without giving any further details.
&#8220;I suppose it depends on the actress. This one [referring to Hall] had a musical cabaret background, so she was up for anything,&#8221; he added when the interviewer pointed out that an intimacy coordinator might protect actors from going too far in other ways in the age of #MeToo.

2018 Wizard World Comic Con – Day 3

‘Lord Of The Rings’ Actor Complains That Intimacy Coordinators ‘Spoil The Spontaneity’ Of Good Sex Scenes

Actor Sean Bean Complains That Intimacy Coordinators Ruin Good Sex Scenes

MeToo

Movies

The new “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones">Game of Thrones</a>” spinoff prequel, “House of the Dragon,” will have fewer sex scenes than its predecessor, according to one of the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television">showrunners</a>. 
The massively popular <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hbo-max">HBO</a> series was often criticized for graphic, frequent sex scenes which included full frontal nudity, incest, and rape, to name a few. Though “House of the Dragon” takes cues from “Game of Thrones” when it comes to tone and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/entertainment">storytelling</a>, showrunner Miguel Sapochnik told <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/inside-house-of-the-dragon-trailer-cast-1235182776/">The Hollywood Reporter</a> that the series “pulls back” on the sex scenes.
Sapochnik told the publication that the new drama will have sexual assault scenes, however. He said their inclusion is dealt with “carefully, thoughtfully and [we] don’t shy away from it. If anything, we’re going to shine a light on that aspect. You can’t ignore the violence that was perpetrated on women by men in that time. It shouldn’t be downplayed and it shouldn’t be glorified.”
The 10-episode series is set 300 years before “Game of Thrones” and will follow the House of Targaryen as they fight over who will rule the kingdom. The story is based on George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood.” 
<iframe loading="lazy" title="House of the Dragon | Official Trailer | HBO Max" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DotnJ7tTA34?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Due to the massive success of the original “Game of Thrones,” multiple spinoff projects are currently in the works, including one focused on fan favorite character Jon Snow. 
Following the recent release of the full-length trailer, fans have been especially excited for the realistic-looking dragons, which are all unique in their appearance.
The showrunners made headlines recently for saying they intentionally selected a diverse cast after “Game of Thrones” was blasted for not doing the same, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/house-of-the-dragon-showrunners-didnt-want-another-bunch-of-white-people-for-the-cast">reported</a>. 
“It was very important for Miguel and I to create a show that was not another bunch of white people on the screen,” Ryan Condal told Entertainment Weekly. “We wanted to find a way to put diversity in the show, but we didn’t want to do it in a way that felt like it was an afterthought or, worse, tokenism.”
The solution became clear when Condal spoke with Martin, who originally had thought about portraying the Velaryons as wealthy black conquerors who arrived in Westeros from the west.
“Once we had that idea, it just felt like everything fell into place,” Condal said.
Besides a lack of diversity, the original series “Game of Thrones” was criticized for what many fans believed was a terrible final season. Showrunners are hoping fans will give the franchise a second chance with this new prequel.

“Game Of Thrones” Season Five Photo Call

‘House Of The Dragon’ ‘Pulls Back’ Number Of Sex Scenes Compared To ‘Game Of Thrones,’ Creator Says

'House of the Dragon' 'Pulls Back' Number Of Sex Scenes Compared To 'Game Of Thrones,' Creator Says

Actress Emilia Clarke called it &#8220;remarkable&#8221; she&#8217;s &#8220;able to speak&#8221; and live her life after she suffered not one but &#8220;two life-threatening brain aneurysms&#8221; in 2011 and 2013.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/game-of-thrones-star-emilia-clarke-says-she-feels-pressured-to-perform-nude-scenes">35-year-old</a> English star opened up about the aneurysm, calling it the &#8220;most excruciating pain&#8221; as she noted that it&#8217;s not something everyone can survive, during an interview she gave on <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0019f3z/sunday-morning-17072022">BBC&#8217;s</a> &#8220;Sunday Morning.&#8221; The comments were noted by <a href="https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/emilia-clarke-brain-surgery-aneurysm-1235318521/">Variety</a>.
&#8220;It was the most excruciating pain,&#8221; the actress shared. &#8220;It was incredibly helpful to have &#8216;Game of Thrones&#8217; sweep me up and give me that purpose.&#8221;
&#8220;The amount of my brain that is no longer usable — it&#8217;s remarkable that I am able to speak, sometimes articulately, and live my life completely normally with absolutely no repercussions,&#8221; she added. &#8220;I am in the really, really, really small minority of people that can survive that.&#8221;
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Emilia Clarke recalls her recovery from two brain aneurysms while working on &quot;Game of Thrones&quot;: “I am in the really, really, really small minority of people that can survive that.” <a href="https://t.co/y47ctg0cJ9">https://t.co/y47ctg0cJ9</a>
&mdash; Variety (@Variety) <a href="https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1548870171770634246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The actress also talked about seeing the scans of her brain after the aneurysms and said that &#8220;there&#8217;s quite a bit missing.&#8221;
&#8220;Which always makes me laugh… strokes, basically, as soon as any part of your brain doesn&#8217;t get blood for a second, it&#8217;s gone,&#8221; Emilia told the outlet. &#8220;So the blood finds a different route to get around, but then whatever bit is missing is therefore gone.”
Shortly after the &#8220;Game of Thrones&#8221; star finished filming for season one of the hit HBO show, she experienced her first aneurysm which lead to a stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage, <a href="https://people.com/health/emilia-clarke-says-shes-missing-parts-of-her-brain-after-suffering-two-aneurysms/">People magazine</a> noted. Two years later, the &#8220;Me Before You&#8221; star would have surgery to stop a second aneurysm that was about to &#8220;pop.&#8221;
During Sunday&#8217;s interview, Clarke said she&#8217;s gotten to the point where she accepts what happened to her and said she&#8217;s no longer worrying about what could have been.
&#8220;I thought, &#8216;Well, this is who you are. This is the brain that you have,'&#8221; the superstar shared. &#8220;So there&#8217;s no point in continually wracking your brains about what might not be there.&#8221;
The &#8220;Last Christmas&#8221; star has since created a charity in England and Wales following her experiences to help others who&#8217;ve suffered from brain injuries and strokes. It&#8217;s called <a href="https://www.sameyou.org">SameYou</a>.
A <a href="https://www.sameyou.org/about_us">message</a> on the charity&#8217;s website explains that its purpose &#8220;is for brain injury survivors to feel they haven&#8217;t lost the person they were before.&#8221;

Emilia Clarke-2

‘Game Of Thrones’ Star Says ‘It’s Remarkable’ She’s ‘Able To Speak’ After Suffering ‘Two Life-Threatening Brain Aneurysms’

Medical

Stroke

“House of the Dragon” showrunners say they’re intentionally including a more diverse cast in the “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/game-of-thrones">Game of Thrones</a>” spinoff prequel. 
Co-showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik have crafted “reimagined” versions of characters from George R.R. Martin’s original books for the new series, which will premiere on August 21 on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/hbo-max">HBO Max</a>. One of their ideas is adding black actors to the roster of main characters, and not as an afterthought.
“It was very important for Miguel and I to create a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/television">show</a> that was not another bunch of white people on the screen,” Condal told <a href="https://ew.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-cover-story-game-of-thrones-enters-new-age/">Entertainment Weekly</a>. “We wanted to find a way to put diversity in the show, but we didn’t want to do it in a way that felt like it was an afterthought or, worse, tokenism.”
The solution presented itself when Condal spoke with Martin, who originally had thought about having the Velaryons as wealthy black conquerors who arrived in Westeros from the west.
“Once we had that idea, it just felt like everything fell into place,” Condal said.
“House of the Dragon” will explore how the House Targaryen fell after a civil war 200 years before Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) rose to power on “Game of Thrones.”
Racial diversity won’t be the only focus in “House of the Dragon.” The same EW article details how series star Emma D’Arcy, who identifies as non-binary, will depict Princess Rhaenyra. Condal emphasizes that D’Arcy’s character &#8220;is the most important role in the show, in many ways.&#8221;
According to D’Arcy, Rhaenyra is &#8220;pushing at the edges of womanhood&#8221; and &#8220;obsessed with masculinity,&#8221; per the article. She equates &#8220;maleness&#8221; with freedom. 
&#8220;She is a person who feels at odds with the way that she is read by the world — even this label the Realm&#8217;s Delight, which implies a passivity, being an object of people&#8217;s ogling,&#8221; D’Arcy says. 
&#8220;It&#8217;s like she has a doppelgänger. The doppelgänger is [a] Rhaenyra-born male, who has access to all the things that she craves and feels to be hers. She has this amazing connection with her uncle Daemon,&#8221; D&#8217;Arcy continues. &#8220;In some ways, they&#8217;re [of] the same fabric, and yet the rules are completely different [for them].&#8221;
Besides a lack of diversity, the original series “Game of Thrones” faced criticism for what many fans considered a terrible final season. Multiple spinoffs are currently in the works as the series remains the most popular and most lucrative in HBO’s history.

Comic-Con International: San Diego – 2016

‘House Of The Dragon’ Showrunners Didn’t Want ‘Another Bunch Of White People’ For The Cast

'House Of The Dragon' Showrunners Didn't Want 'Another Bunch Of White People' For The Cast

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