Ever since the onset of television, there have been more than a million TV shows that have graced the small screen. From comedies to drama to action and horror, a plethora of television shows have been created that have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of audiences and impacted the TV landscape.
However, when it comes to having an enduring legacy that continues to affect the entertainment industry in an unmeasurable way, even fewer shows have succeeded. And HBO’s Game of Thrones is among the few.
Based on the A Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, the HBO fantasy epic is no less than a global phenomenon today even though its latter seasons might not have been as well received as the initial ones.
Over the last decade and more, the show has continued to dominate pop culture with its intricate storyline, shocking twists and turns, larger-than-life characters, and thrilling storytelling. Having amassed an immense fanbase that is spread all over the globe, Game of Thrones has generated billions of dollars in revenue through re-runs, streaming deals, merchandise, and more.
While the actors, directors, and HBO have all benefited from the fantasy drama and its often gore and bloody storytelling, the author of the books it is based on, aka George R.R. Martin too has earned quite an impressive paycheck as far as rumors go.
As to how much the creator of Westeros has made from the 8 seasons of the show, is a question that has long intrigued many. (Before diving in, take a look at how much the cast earned throughout all eight seasons.)
So without further ado, here is all about how much George R.R. Martin potentially made from HBO’s Game of Thrones adaptation.
How much did George R.R. Martin earn from Game of Thrones?
As the creator of the world of Westeros, Game of Thrones would have not existed if it weren’t for the genius of George R.R. Martin. Not only did he write the books (and he is still apparently writing), but his prolific writing led to the creation of the HBO show. Although he wasn’t really directly involved, he did serve as one of the executive producers.
Moreover, since HBO secured the rights to his books for adaptation, Martin would have earned a substantial amount, ensuring he was receiving a good paycheck from the very start. Apart from his earnings as a writer, Martin is sure to have had his earnings stemming from multiple revenue streams, from licensing fees to his salary as an executive producer, as well as possible lucrative earnings from the show’s overwhelming performance.
Given the run of Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2019 and its undeniably growing popularity despite the disappointing reviews of the last few seasons, Martin’s earnings might have grown exponentially well.
Unfortunately, his official earnings have not been made public by either the writer or HBO. However, estimates suggest the author potentially made $15 million per season, which is on average more than a million dollars per episode of the show. So given that Game of Thrones had 8 seasons, to date, his earnings might have been approximately $200 million or so. As for the A Song of Ice and Fire book sales, he reportedly makes about $10 million a year.
His massive earnings today are reflective of his strategic decision taken years ago when he first started writing the Game of Thrones book series. As he revealed in a blog post on his website, he initially sold short stories to make ends meet. But the pay wasn’t good enough, and soon, even after taking up small jobs, his savings ran out, and he had to sell everything he wrote.
George R.R. Martin’s lofty deal with HBO following Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin is one of the most prolific writers of all time. From A Song of Ice and Fire to the several other books he has written, like Dying of the Light, during his lifetime, Martin is a notch above the rest due to his unique narrative and detailed storytelling. Written like history books with extensive detail, vast imagining, and descriptive writing, it is this aspect of his writing that makes his books so spectacular to adapt.
After Game of Thrones, the writer also signed over the rights of Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon to HBO. Back in 2021, it was revealed that Martin had signed a widely profitable deal with the streaming and production studio to develop more programming for the network. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the celebrated author’s contract with HBO is worth mid-eight figures and spans over five years.
Not only did he help create the prequel House of the Dragon but also served as one of the executive producers. Moreover, Martin was reported to be developing several other projects for HBO, including Nnedi Okorafor’s Who Fears Death book.
While George R.R. Martin’s books continue to be read and sold across the world among new generations of readers, the writer has been making heavy paychecks from his other deals like this one with HBO. This has significantly impacted his net worth, which Celebrity Net Worth reports to be around $120 million.
George R.R. Martin is still writing Winds of Winter
George R.R. Martin’s impact on the fantasy genre extends beyond the realm of Westeros and Game of Thrones. Even though over the years the author has gained prominence primarily because of Game of Thrones, his other works apart from the fantasy drama too have served as inspirations for a lot of young authors and writers.
Enjoying a long-lasting legacy as an extraordinary writer, Martin seems to have stumbled upon one of the biggest writer’s blocks that the world has ever seen. Over the years, Martin has made several statements about the long-due The Winds of Winter, the next book in A Song of Ice and Fire book series. But till now, after multiple promises and some hopeful and some not-so-hopeful updates (see Esquire), the book has not arrived.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, back in December 2024, the author stated:
Unfortunately, I am 13 years late. Every time I say that, I’m [like], ‘How could I be 13 years late?’ I don’t know, it happens a day at a time. But that’s still a priority. A lot of people are already writing obituaries for me. [They’re saying] ‘Oh, he’ll never be finished.’ Maybe they’re right. I don’t know. I’m alive right now! I seem pretty vital!
Having first announced the book in 2010, Martin is still writing the book and on every occasion you ask him, he replies that it is a work in progress. While fans are patiently waiting and they might wait more, the question is about Martin’s health and age since the writer isn’t getting any younger. Currently in his mid-seventies, even if he does manage to finish up Winds of Winter in a year or two, the last book of A Song of Ice and Fire remains, which has been titled A Dream of Spring.
As the debates about Martin being able to complete the Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring continue, one cannot deny the fact that George R.R. Martin is one of the most celebrated writers of his time. As his legacy continues to grow, his contributions to the world of literature and television are both enduring and instrumental, leaving audiences across the world captivated while continuing to inspire generations of writers and fans.
Game of Thrones and House of Dragon are available to be streamed on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
