Charles Dance, who plays Tywin Lannister on HBO's hit drama Game of Thrones, says he's shocked at the amount of violence in the show, despite being one of the show's most ruthless, unforgiving characters.

*SPOILER ALERT*

During the show's season finale on Sunday, the British actor's character reveals that he was at the center of the "Red Wedding" plot that saw Robb Stark and his mother Catelyn murdered during the show's penultimate episode, and Dance says he was quite stunned at the brutality of the scene and the amount of gore shown.

"I wasn't even in the scene, but I watched it, of cou...

Sunday's Game of Thrones finale, "Mhysa," was the most pirated television episode of all time.

A torrent website took note of the number of simultaneous users sharing a file online via BitTorrent, and found a record 170,000 people downloading it soon after it aired on HBO.

24 hours after the end of the episode, one million users had finished downloading the show - beating all previous records for downloads of a television show in that timeframe.

Despite the record piracy, HBO has broken records of its own, with 13.6 million television viewers per episode on average for this season of Gam...

"Breaking Bad" and "The Big Bang Theory" won big at Monday night's Critics' Choice Television Awards, winning Best Drama Series and Best Comedy Series, respectively.  "Game Of Thrones" was also crowned best drama, sharing the title with the AMC series.

"Breaking Bad" star Bryan Cranston, who plays drug-dealing chemistry teacher Walter White, won the Best Actor in a Drama Series trophy. Tatiana Maslany won Best Actress in a Drama for her role in BBC's sci-fi hit "Orphan Black."

"Big Bang Theory" star Kaley Cuoco (pictured above) won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy, sharing the accolade...

Game Of Thrones has landed a dubious honour - the popular series' season three finale has become the most pirated TV episode of all time.

Website bosses at TorrentFreak.com noted that the drama's latest episode, which aired in the U.S. on Sunday (09Jun13), notched a record 170,000 simultaneous shares on file sharing service BitTorrent.

During the 24-hour period since the episode, Mhysa, premiered on U.S. network HBO, over one million people have already downloaded the episode, beating all previous records for a TV series.

Bosses at the network also confirmed on Monday (10Jun13) that, wi...

How do you follow up one of the most bombastically violent and depressing hours in the history of television? "Game of Thrones" had that challenge this week. After last episode's horrible Red Wedding sequence, where we lost three main characters and respect for a few more (screw you, Roose Bolton), there was really no place to go but up. Or rather, no place to go but on. Several characters did, indeed, move on (like Bran and Arya), and several more returned (Jon and Sam to Castle Black, Jaime to King's Landing). Nothing monumentous happened, but that's "Game of Thrones" for you - the final ...

George R.R. Martin watched fan reactions of Sunday night's episode of "Game of Thrones" while guesting on Conan O'Brien's talk show. He also discussed why it is that he ruthlessly kills off major characters without thinking twice and even gives a status update on his next novel, "The Winds of Winter." (story)

Paris Jackson's suicide attempt early Wednesday morning wasn't the first time she's attempted to kill herself, but a family insider says it was definitely the most serious attempt. Michael Jackson's teenage daughter reportedly slit her wrist with a meat cleaver and took a bunch of pil...

Writer George R.R. Martin joined Conan O'Brien on the latter's talk show Wednesday night to discuss the latest episode of HBO series Game of Thrones, which is based on his fantasy novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire."

Martin commented on a YouTube video of fans' reactions to Sunday night's episode, which included the pivotal and shocking "Red Wedding," and discussed why none of his characters are safe. He also gave a status update of the next book in the saga, "The Winds of Winter" -- a 1500 page highly anticipated "gigantic monster" of a novel (seriously George, we're waiting...).

Meeti...

Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams posted her own reaction to the events of Sunday night's episode, "The Rains of Castamere."

**BIGTIME SPOILER ALERT** During the episode, an entire story arc was wiped out during the wedding of Catelyn Stark's brother Edmure to Roslin Frey when the latter's father Walder had King in the North Robb Stark, his wife Talisa and his mother murdered over Robb's broken promise to marry one of his daughters. Robb's army was also ambushed by the forces of House Frey, and many were killed -- along with Robb's Dire Wolf Grey Wind.

Williams, who plays Arya Stark in...

"Game of Thrones" shocked viewers Sunday night (the ones who haven't read the books) in season 3's penultimate episode, "The Rains of Castamere." The episode's title was named for the show's Lannister family, whose current patriarch, Lord Tywin, once crushed an uprising from two allies, House Tarbeck and House Reyne. Tywin left both houses in ruin, destroying them entirely and sending a message to everyone in the realm that you don't mess with the Lannisters. The song "The Rains of Castamere" was written as a tribute to the event and became synonymous with the family. So when it plays somew...

SPOILER ALERT! This article contains spoilers from "Game of Thrones" Season 3 Episode 9: "The Rains of Castamere." Stop reading now if you haven't seen the episode yet.

There's always been a clear division between "Game of Thrones" book fans and "Game of Thrones" TV fans. How could there not be? Fans of beloved pre-existing material have good reason to gloat over newbies: they knew this stuff first. It's theirs. For those who prefer the HBO series, an endeavor that's decidedly less committal than reading George R.R. Martin's colossal books, navigating the Internet has been a bit of a pole-...

Game Of Thrones star Carice Van Houten has been cast as silver screen icon Greta Garbo in a new movie.

The Dutch actress, who portrays Melisandre in Game of Thrones, will study the Swedish movie star for the as-yet-untitled biopic, which will chronicle the film legend's humble beginnings as shopgirl in Stockholm to her heyday as one of the world's most enigmatic beauties.

Van Houten, who will also produce the project, tells Screendaily.com, "I was raised with silent films. I have always maintained an endless fascination for that era. Greta Garbo has gotten to me more than any other movie ...

Last night's "Game of Thrones" was another seminar in set-up, which is fine, since this book-reader knows what’s in store for these final two episodes (and it’s pure craziness, rest assured). Still, “Storm of Swords,” the book on which this season is based, is dizzyingly epic, and it’s a little disappointing what they’re choosing to save for next season – some of that could easily be applied to episodes like this to speed things along. Alas, we’re left with at least one extremely badass moment (from Sam, of all people!) and a lo of talking heads before that.

Strictly speaking, Tyrion and S...

Game Of Thrones star Sibel Kekilli struggled with her lines during the first season of the hit TV show as it was the first time she had acted in a major role in English.

The German actress initially had trouble understanding the different accents of her co-stars on set and admits she "didn't understand anything" before her language skills improved.

Kekilli originally had her scripts translated into German, but her grasp of English increased by the second series - much to the disappointment of actor Peter Dinklage.

She tells The Hollywood Reporter, "I had to get used to it. Because it was...

Part-way through last night's new "Game of Thrones" episode, "The Climb" (not the Miley Cyrus song, but a weird metaphor for ascending the top tier of Westeros politics), Theon's still-nameless torturer uttered a line so on-point for the series that it felt like a purely meta conversation-starter: "If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." That's sort of "Game of Thrones" in a nuthsell, no? And it spoke odes to where a lot of our favorites ended up last night. Because in Westeros, happy news is always terrible news.

Let's start with some of our "outsiders" (...

If "Game of Thrones" is about one thing, it isn't war or honor, death or betrayal, succession or glory. It is, funny enough, about family, or the frayed remnants of whatever that word means to the individual. For Robb, that family is Talisa, his mother and the siblings he believes dead. For Daenerys, it's her dragons and the memory of her dead brothers, husband and son. For the Lannisters, it's the strange but unspoken sense of loyalty that binds them as one ragged, but surprisingly sturdy, unit. The boundaries between all the different families, from the blood-related to the scrounged and ...

Well. That was a big one, no? DANERYS TARGARYEN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. Everything was great, but those last ten minutes wiped the floor with whatever came before, both in the episode and the season (and maybe the series). After an entire second season of middling Dany storylines - an obvious ploy to kick her tertiary book plot up a notch - this felt like sweet, sweet vindication.

But first things first: what in the sweet hell is Varys doing with that dude in a trunk? That was some straight up Harry Potter business, like MadEye Moody in his office chest. After a rousing story about his cast...

Peter Dinklage, who portrays the intrepid Tyrion "The Imp" Lannister on HBO's flagship series Game of Thrones, is having a hard time coping with something that occurred in the midst of a fight scene last season.

During the episode "Blackwater," Tyrion leads Lannister forces through a secret tunnel through the walls of King's Landing to maneuver his men behind Stannis Baratheon's forces. The first casualty of that battle was a soldier whose leg Tyrion hacked off with a large axe, who then promptly fell over and received a killing blow to the face.

Well, it's a bit more complicated than tha...

If there's one thing this season of "Game of Thrones" has needed, it's some breathing room. Last week was a mild episode, plot-wise, but it was still exasperating as far as character screen-time goes. And a few clunky monologues kept things especially heavy. But last night's episode, "Walk of Punishment," was the first time season three found its footing. Most of the big introductions are over now, and it's time to start remembering who our old friends are and what makes them tick.

There was also room for another thing this season has been lacking: comedy. From that hilarious musical chair...

'A Game of Thrones' season three premiered last night, pushing us back into the embattled land of Westeros. But our coverage of the characters in HBO's epic drama continues. So fear not if you feel lost, Starpulse is here as your guide through the Game of Thrones.

Next: ???

Previous: Jaime Lannister

Character Profile: Stannis Baratheon (Lightbringer, Azor Ahai Reborn)

Culture: Southerner

Titles: Lord of Dragonstone

House: Baratheon

Siblings: Robert (Deceased), Renly (Deceased)

Spouse: Selyse Florent

Children: None

Status: Alive, Last seen retreating from Blackwater Bay, ...

For the sake of organization, I'll address last night's episode of "Game of Thrones" in a captioned-by-character format. Westeros is a big place, and though the show juggles its various inhabitants with subtle ease, it's a nightmare keeping all of these names and points of interest concise and understandable. Let's see if this helps.

Arya: Last week's most noticeably absent main player was Arya, who was last seen busting out of Harenhaal with Gendry and Hot Pie. Her arc picks up pretty much exactly where it left off - in the woods, with the boys, bickering. They're interrupted by a troupe ...

'A Game of Thrones' season three premiered last night, pushing us back into the embattled land of Westeros. But our coverage of the characters in HBO's epic drama continues. So fear not if you feel lost, Starpulse is here as your guide through the Game of Thrones.

Next: Stannis Baratheon

Previous: Robb Stark

Character Profile: Jaime Lannister ( The Kingslayer, The Young Lion)

Culture: Southerner

Titles: Commander of the Kingsguard

House: Lannister

Siblings: Cersei, Tyrion

Spouse: None

Children: Joffrey, Myrcella, Tommen

Status: Alive

Portrayed by: Nikolaj Coster-Walda...

The biggest strength of "Game of Thrones" is, ironically, it's greatest weakness: its characters. Which isn't a slight to dragon-yielding Daenerys or Wildling infiltrator Jon Snow or fast-mouthed Tyrion. People love this show because they love these people. But as the show grows, so do the faces. Three seasons in, and we're drowning in them. Does that make "Game of Thrones" any less enjoyable? Well, no, not really. But it does tamper with certain execrations, like seeing all of our favorite people in every episode (a rarity post season one) or swift resolutions to constantly burgeoning dile...

The third season of "Game of Thrones" kicks off this Sunday on HBO, and while executive producers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff have remained mostly tight-lipped about where things are headed, it's hard to keep every plot point buried when your show is based on a mega successful fantasy book series. But for non book readers going into this season with a clean palette, or book fans unaware of adaptation tweaks, here are some teasers for where season three is headed.

1. Don't expect the seasons to match the books.

The first two seasons followed the events of the first two books in order:...

This Sunday, Lannisters, Baratheons, Greyjoys and of course Starks, will be back in our lives.

(For those not in the know, we’re getting Game of Thrones back on our TV screens on Sunday night at 9 pm ET on HBO.)

If you’re planning to have a premiere party, perhaps you should make some food for all your guests—the kind of stuff that makes them feel like THEY’RE the King (or Queen) of Westeros.

Enter then, The Unofficial Game of Thrones Cookbook from Alan Kistler. There’s tons of recipes for meats, desserts and even ale.

A number of the recipes are inspired by A Storm of Swords, the third...

With the third season of Game of Thrones just days away, what better way than to celebrate with a slideshow of the hot guys featured on the series?

Yesterday we brought you the lovely ladies featured on the show, and today we want to see how well the guys clean up after getting all that medieval dirt and grime washed away.

A few of these guys have already been killed off the show -- and we're sure it's only a matter of time before more of them follow.

In fact, if you've read the books (highly recommended) then you already know whose time should come this season, which focuses on roughly ...

The much anticipated, long awaited third season of Game of Thrones is set to premiere this Sunday night, and we've got a look at Daenerys Targaryen's (Emilia Clarke) three dragons -- which are growing up fast.

Viserion, Rhaegal and Drogon are now the size of small dogs and are starting to care for themselves and find -- and cook -- their own food.

The clip from the Season 3 premiere episode promises more screen time for the flying, fire-breathing lizards; but they're not maturing quickly enough for their 'mother.'

Ser Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen), Dany's right-hand-man, comments on the quic...

The third season of Game of Thrones is less than a week away (we've seen the first four episodes already and they are awesome!) and what better way to celebrate than with a slideshow of the beautiful women of Westeros (and Essos)?

The show's two most powerful women, Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister, played by Emilia Clarke and Lena Headey, respectively, are both blondes, but in reality sport dark 'dos. They may be hot on TV, but we think they're even sexier off screen. In fact, they all clean up well.

Our favorites? Oona Chaplin, who plays Robb Stark's (Richard Madden) wife Talisa ...

'A Game of Thrones' Season Three is little more than a couple days away now. We thought it was time to get re-acquainted with the people and places of Westeros and Essos, so you'll feel refreshed and up-to-date by the time of the premier. So, every couple days for the next month or so, we're bringing you people and places from the world of Game of Thrones, complete with informative tidbits from both the show and the books.

Hopefully, this well help everyone segue from our long aGoT hiatus, into our HBO issued bliss once more as a Game of Thrones occupies our Sunday evenings again.

Next:...

British actor Clive Mantle is facing three operations after a thug bit off part of his ear during a fight at a hotel in Newcastle, England on Sunday.

The Game of Thrones star was allegedly viciously attacked after he asked two men at a hotel to be quiet in the early hours of the morning.

He was taken to the local Royal Victoria Infirmary, where surgeons managed to reattach part of his right ear, and he is now facing a string of procedures to repair the damage.

His agent Bryn Newton says, "He's shaken up. Right now he wants to get his ear back to normal. He's got to have about three op...

The head-turning Game of Thrones actress Gwendoline Christie is a towering 6ft 3in tall and admits she often felt she couldn't relate to women on the big screen because of her Amazonian frame, but is now relishing the opportunity to play a tough, fierce warrior in the medieval fantasy drama.

She said: "It's really vitally important to me the way women are portrayed. As someone who has always felt at times pretty genderless because of my size, it interests me to challenge ideas of prejudice and femininity, and what it is to be a woman."

The towering actress reveals that she had numerous se...