Game of Thrones

George R.R. Martin's best-selling book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" is brought to the screen as HBO sinks its considerable storytelling teeth into the medieval fantasy epic. It's the depiction of two powerful families -- kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and honest men -- playing a deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and to sit atop the Iron Throne.

First episode date: April 17, 2011

Theme song: Game of Thrones Theme

Writers: George R. R. Martin, David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, Bryan Cogman, Jane Espenson, Vanessa Taylor, Dave Hill

Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series