HBO to pick up Game of Thrones

Apologies for the extended period of absence. Work and studies have picked up a notch and have monopolised a lot of my time lately. I've also been accepted to participate in a leadership program overseas, which will require some planning and organising. I have a couple of reviews to do and some defence related articles to comment on. I will try to have those up shortly.

In the meantime, here's some fantastic news that's come to light regarding the TV adaptation of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series:

HBO has given a green light to "Game of Thrones," one of the most hotly anticipated shows the network has ever made. The network has committed to the pilot plus nine additional episodes.

The pilot for "Thrones" was shot in Northern Ireland and other European and North African locations in late 2009. Production will resume in June in Northern Ireland. It's expected that the show will arrive on HBO in the spring of 2011, but no firm date has been set.

HBO's description of the series: "Based on the series of books by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones is an epic struggle for power set in a vast and violent fantasy kingdom."

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/03/game-of-thrones-hbo-george-rr-martin-.html

Some great news there, but at the same time there's the issue of waiting for its release, which in Oz might come later in 2011, and whether or not a second season will be picked up. From what I've read, it seems to come with a solid cast and production team which I think will do the books justice to a wider audience.