Stormont Applause For HBO Film Set

A major US TV production that is filming in Northern Ireland has enjoyed a political boost with a visit from the top members of the devolved Assembly at Stormont.

First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (pictured) toured the set of Game of Thrones, which is currently filming in Belfast's Paint Hall Studio and at various locations across Northern Ireland.

A television production of vast size and scale, Game of Thrones is an upcoming original HBO series, based on the books A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.

It is due to air on HBO in the US and on the new Sky Atlantic channel across the UK next year.

The production may even continue in Northern Ireland for as long as a decade if the anticipated scores of further episodes are produced, should the initial run be as well received as expected.

Following their visit, Mr Robinson - who is an MLA representing East Belfast, where the set is located - said: "The filming of Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland is helping not only to grow the creative industries here, but also to a larger extent, our local economy.

"The sheer size of this production is quite staggering, both from the point of view of the employment opportunities it affords, as well as the rental of the studio and the use of various production facilities and locations across Northern Ireland," said the DUP party leader,

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness said: "We are committed to doing all that we can to ensure that the production of Game of Thrones here continues to be not only a very positive experience for HBO but also contribute to economic and skills development of the local community.

"I have no doubt that we have demonstrated that we have the facilities, talent and locations to make Game of Thrones a continued commercial success for HBO.

"This type of production is vital to our economic future and we will be doing everything we can to secure the continued production of Game of Thrones here, should HBO order a second series."

Filming in Belfast began in June and is to move soon to Malta after HBO filmed the pilot and later the first episodes of the epic fantasy in NI.

Another nine programmes based on just the first book of George R R Martin's multi-volume A Song Of Fire And Ice series have been commissioned in the first series alone.

Filming has also taken place in Scotland and Morocco with stars Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey and Alfie Allen, the brother of pop star Lily Allen.

The makers hope each novel in the series will produce a whole season's worth of episodes, with Belfast 'set' for years of production work as this develops.

(BMcC/GK)