The TV Column

Game of Thrones stars get salary raises to die for

Game of Thrones stars Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen
Game of Thrones stars Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen

Winter is still coming, but how long can this good stuff continue?

Of course, I'm referring to Game of Thrones. The hugely popular HBO series doesn't return until April 12 for the 10-episode fifth season, but a sixth season has already been approved, and all the signs point to the strong possibility of a Season 7.

At least HBO has all the principal actors signed and sealed for a seventh season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. HBO has renegotiated the contracts using a tiered system to factor in a potential Season 7.

Oh, but there was a high price to pay.

The Reporter notes, "In exchange for the option, HBO has ponied up huge raises for Seasons 5, 6 and the potential Season 7 that will make the cast members among the highest-paid actors on cable TV."

Game of Thrones is based on the best-selling books by George R.R. Martin and has one of the largest and most diverse casts on television. The tier system ranks the stars by their order of importance.

The A tier is the highest paid. The list consists of Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister).

The B tier is paid a lower salary. The co-stars are Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and others.

There is an even lower tier of regulars who will get an even smaller pay raise, but a pay raise nonetheless.

Renegotiating contracts is standard operating procedure in Hollywood, and Game of Thrones is the biggest show on HBO. Once you tally up all the multiple platforms' airings and viewings, each episode is seen by about 19 million viewers. Overseas viewership is equally strong.

Thrones also has bragging rights, having led the recent Emmy nominations with 19 total nods, including best drama, best drama writing, and supporting drama actor and actress for Dinklage and Headey.

Don't forget: Just because a star has been signed doesn't mean he will live to collect a paycheck. Martin is still working on his book series and Game of Thrones is notorious for killing off even main characters.

As an homage to this tendency, The Hollywood Reporter made a list of the show's most memorable demises. I picked 15 of them to mention. Here are the departed and the method in which they were dispatched.

  1. King Robert Baratheon: Gut mauled by a wild boar, this death started the whole bloody game of thrones.

  2. Viserys Targaryen: Daenerys' narcissistic, arrogant brother was covered in boiling gold by Khal Drogo.

  3. Drogo: The Dothraki chieftain and Daenerys' husband died of infection, magic and euthanasia (smothering).

  4. Ned Stark: Beheaded by King Joffrey, Ned was the first beloved character to die. Millions gasped.

  5. Mirri Maz Duur: The Lhazareen healer who infected Drogo was roasted alive.

  6. Renly Baratheon: King Robert's younger brother was skewered by a shadow assassin conjured by the priestess Melisandre.

  7. Craster: The incestuous wildling male baby killer took Night's Watch mutineer Karl Tanner's dagger through the throat into the roof of his mouth.

  8. Kraznys Mo Nakloz: The misogynist Astapor slave trader was crispy-fried by Daenerys' angry dragon, Drogon. This was moments after he figured out Dany spoke High Valyrian and understood his insults.

  9. Robb Stark: The eldest son of Ned Stark was betrayed by the Freys and Lord Roose Bolton at the Red Wedding and was repeatedly skewered with arrows, then stabbed.

  10. King Joffrey: The show's most reviled character drank poisoned wine, turned purple and died. Millions cheered.

  11. Lysa Arryn: The wacko Lady Regent of the Vale was sent plunging through the moon door by Lord Baelish.

  12. Oberyn Martell: The charming Dornish prince had his eyes gouged out and skull crushed in a fight with The Mountain.

  13. Ygritte: Jon Snow's sweetie took an arrow in the back while attacking Castle Black.

  14. Shae: Tyrion's prostitute girlfriend betrayed him and he strangled her with her necklace.

  15. Tywin Lannister: The evil head of the clan died on the throne. Not the Iron Throne -- the royal commode. Tyrion put two arrows in his chest. Hooking up with Shae was Tywin's final offense.

m Comings: Intervention returns at 8 p.m. today on A&E, followed by the debut of Neighbors With Benefits at 9. The latter follows members of a suburban Ohio community who have embraced the swinger lifestyle. Yes. There's actually an hour on TV devoted to this freak show.

m Goings: The critical favorite Girls will hold its season finale at 8 p.m. today on HBO, followed at 9 by the season finale of Looking.

Over on National Geographic Channel, Ultimate Survival Alaska's season finale airs at 9 with competitors bracing for one last battle with treacherous glaciers, rivers and mountains.

The TV Column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Email:

mstorey@arkansasonline.com

Style on 03/22/2015

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