Written by new-contact on Jun 20, 2011. Posted in On Location

HBO’s Game of Thrones returning to Northern Ireland for season two location filming

Hit fantasy drama Game of Thrones, produced by HBO, will return to Northern Ireland for a second season of location filming from late July. As with the first series, the production will be based at Belfast’s Paint Hall Studio, with location filming planned throughout the region.

Northern Ireland Screen will continue part-funding the production with support from Invest NI. Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome back the HBO team to Northern Ireland. Today’s official announcement by HBO further cements our reputation as a leading centre for film and television production, as we continue driving global growth.”

Today’s official announcement by HBO further cements our reputation as a leading centre for film and television production, as we continue driving global growth.

Richard Williams, Northern Ireland Screen

Peter D Robinson MLA said: “The return of HBO to Northern Ireland is a huge endorsement of our local creative industries. I am extremely pleased that they are returning to Belfast and the Paint Hall. HBO’s first visit to Belfast in 2009 was a tremendous boost for the city and for Northern Ireland's economy as a whole. I have no doubt that their return will have a similar effect, once again placing Belfast and Northern Ireland on the world stage.”

Game of Thrones has been a critical and ratings hit. The first season is estimated to have benefitted the Northern Ireland economy to the tune of around GBP20 million.