George RR Martin believes Game Of Thrones wasn’t more ‘anti-women’ than what we’ve seen play out in real-life history.
Speaking ahead of the release of the upcoming prequel House of the Dragon, set 200 years before the original hit fantasy series, explained why Westeros is against having a woman on the Iron Throne.
‘I get inspiration from history, and then I take elements from history and I turn it up to 11,’ Martin said at a Comic-Con panel, which was attended by House of the Dragon cast members including Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Emma D’Arcy.
‘Games of Thrones is, as many people have observed, based very loosely on the War of the Roses. [House of the Dragon] is based on an earlier period in history called the Anarchy.’
He added: ‘I don’t think Westeros is particularly more anti-woman or more misogynistic than real life and what we call history.’
Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke previously addressed the backlash the series faced about its treatment of women.
‘There’s so much controversy,’ she acknowledged in a 2016 interview. ‘Yet that’s what’s beautiful about Game of Thrones – its depiction of women in so many different stages of development.
‘There are women depicted as sexual tools, women who have zero rights, women who are queens but only to a man, and then there are women who are literally unstoppable and as powerful as you can possibly imagine.’
She continued to Entertainment Weekly: ‘So, it pains me to hear people taking Thrones out of context with anti-feminist spin – because you can’t do that about this show. It shows the range that happens to women and ultimately shows women are not only equal, but have a lot of strength.’
House of the Dragon is a 10-part series that features Smith and D’Arcy as members of the feuding Targaryen family.
Martin said he had already seen nine of the 10 episodes of House Of The Dragon and had been impressed by the show.
‘You’re always nervous at the beginning because these books, these characters are like my kids,’ he said.
‘When you hand your kids over you always hope they will be treated well. But I’ve been very fortunate here. I’m very happy.’
House of the Dragon arrives on HBO on August 21.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
