HBO Returns To Belfast Studios

An international television and cinema producer is to revisit Belfast for the making of a continuing series of successful dramas.

The Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have welcomed today's official announcement by the USA's HBO that they will return to Northern Ireland to film the second series of the hugely successful 'Game of Thrones'.

The fresh series was initially commissioned in April, but the locations were not revealed with news now that production for season two of the hit HBO series 'Game of Thrones' is set to begin Monday 25 July.

Once again, production for the series will be based in Belfast, where the series will shoot at the east Belfast Paint Hall Studio in the Titanic Quarter of the docklands.

As well as Belfast, the production will also use various locations around Northern Ireland, although these additional locations are yet to be confirmed.

The production - that continues to receive funding from Northern Ireland Screen - is based on the best-selling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin.

The 10-episode first season of 'Game of Thrones', launched in the USA on 17 April exclusively on HBO, [Sky Atlantic] with the finalé scheduled to debut on Sunday, 19 June and on Monday 20 June on Sky Atlantic in the UK and Ireland.

Casting, writers and directors for season two will also be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

DUP Leader, Mr Robinson 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 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 affect, once again placing Belfast and Northern Ireland on the world stage," he said.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness: "The First Minister and I have worked tirelessly to persuade HBO to return to Belfast and I welcome this announcement today.

"I thank also the efforts of Northern Ireland Screen and Invest NI in helping to secure this production. HBO's commitment to return to Belfast will lead to the creation of more jobs and generate considerable income for our local economy," he said.

"We are determined to place the creative industries at the very heart of our efforts to grow the local economy and we will continue to do all that we can to convince companies such as HBO that this is the place to come to."

The first series of programmes were filmed in the Titanic Quarter, as well as various locations throughout Northern Ireland, Scotland and Morocco as well as Malta.

The series stars Sean Bean, Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Alfie Allen and Coleraine actress Michelle Fairley.

The makers had previously said their long-term ambition was for each novel in the series to fuel a season's worth of episodes.

See: Games Of Thrones Commissions Second Series

See: Northern Ireland Is 'Box Office' Hit

(BMcC/GK)