
Who Made the Most Money on Game of Thrones?
Game of Thrones, the epic fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin’s novels, has been a financial powerhouse since its inception. With its massive budget, sprawling cast, and global fanbase, it’s no surprise that many individuals have profited handsomely from the series. But who, exactly, made the most money on Game of Thrones? Let’s delve into the details.
1. The Cast
The cast of Game of Thrones is one of the most well-paid in television history. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact earnings of each actor, we can make some educated guesses based on their salaries and residuals.
Actor | Salary per Episode | Total Salary |
---|---|---|
Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) | $1 million | $15 million |
Kit Harington (Jon Snow) | $1 million | $15 million |
Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister) | $1 million | $15 million |
Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) | $1 million | $15 million |
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) | $1 million | $15 million |
Sansa Stark | $500,000 | $7.5 million |
Arya Stark | $500,000 | $7.5 million |
Bran Stark | $500,000 | $7.5 million |
As you can see from the table above, the main cast members earned a salary of $1 million per episode, totaling $15 million each. However, this figure doesn’t account for residuals, which can be quite substantial for actors with a strong fanbase.
2. The Writers
The writers of Game of Thrones also profited handsomely from the series. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the creators of the show, received a reported $3 million per episode, totaling $45 million for the entire series.
3. The Producers
The producers of Game of Thrones, including HBO executives, also reaped significant financial rewards. HBO has not disclosed the exact earnings of its executives, but it’s safe to say that they made a substantial amount of money from the series.
4. The Merchandising
Merchandising has been a major source of revenue for Game of Thrones. From action figures to clothing, the show has generated billions of dollars in merchandise sales. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact earnings from merchandising, it’s safe to say that it has been a significant source of income for the show’s creators and distributors.
5. The Streaming Rights
The streaming rights for Game of Thrones have also been a lucrative source of income. HBO has sold the streaming rights to various platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime, for a reported $1 billion. This figure doesn’t include the revenue generated from the show’s own streaming service, HBO Max.
In conclusion, while it’s difficult to determine who made the most money on Game of Thrones, it’s clear that the series has been a financial success for many individuals involved. From the cast and writers to the producers and merchandisers, Game of Thrones has generated billions of dollars in revenue, making it one of the most profitable television series of all time.