Filming/News

Game of Thrones season 7 filming begins in Belfast!

Posted on by Sue the Fury

ravenAfter a long, dry summer- longer than usual, thanks to delayed filming this year– shooting has begun on season 7 on Game of Thrones.  In the last week or so, sightings of the show’s stars have ramped up, and starting yesterday, multiple reports trickled in that filming was resuming.

Local sources around Titanic Studios (the show’s production home in Belfast) tell us that as of yesterday, cars were being rerouted around the Game of Thrones studios so as not to cause a noise disturbance.

Today, the regular pink GOT filming sign was spotted as well, for the first time this year:

One last tidbit for you all today, courtesy of our sources: we’ve heard that some of the Northern Ireland extras lined up are playing House Mormont soldiers, so it looks like the house from Bear Island is still in play in season 7.

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Season 7 filming is here: let the fun begin!

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Sue the Fury
Susan Miller, Editor in Chief of WatchersOnTheWall.com

88 Comments

  9. Yessss, here we go! LOL, who knew the appearance of the pink signs could get me so excited.

    Hmmm, I wonder which of the extras are slated to be House Mormont soldiers? I wonder if we’ll be returning to Bear Island or if these soldiers will be at Wintefell with their Lady.

  10. I wonder if there are any main cast involved? I think Kit is still in Montreal, so it can’t be him. What about Sophie and Liam? Anybody in Belfast?

  12. Finally, the wait is over! How much I would love to live in one of those places where they do the shooting!

    Does anyone know: do they leave the sets that were constructed for Castle Black in place all year around?

  18. I’d expect to hear reports about Harington soon. Sounds like especially for the interior studio work in Belfast.

  19. ghost of winterfell,

    Sophie was in London yesterday, and is going to be in Venice this weekend for a film festival, so while she could pop over (it’s obviously not a long trip), it wouldn’t be for long.

  21. Maggie,

    Maybe they’re securing the North and taking the Dreadfort. It’s possible Ramsay left some people to look after the place. 😛

    ghost of winterfell,

    Is it specified that the soldiers are filming today? Maybe it’s just preparations (and they’ll film in a couple of days), or they’re shooting some scenes where the main cast isn’t needed yet.

  22. Myname:
    Kit finished filming his movie today instagram(.)com/p/BJxnC1RB7lJ/

    So it’s not Kit who films today, i guess the North will start next week or later. It’s 6 months till february.

    I think today’s filming is a KL one becayse Lena and the mountain guy were seen earlier this week in Belfast.

  23. Celine Belanger: After a long, dry summer- longer than usual, thanks to delayed filming this year– shooting has begun on season 7 on Game of Thrones.

    Hard to say. Usually if it’s in private property (Winterfell), it’s taken down as soon as shooting wraps. Magheramorne Quarry (Castle Black/Hardhome/Blackwater) usually all stay up because the Quarry is not in use anymore but given that during the S6 production there was a rock slide, they may not wish risk of damage to the set and may take it down from now on and reconstruct.

    As a general rule: if it’s in an unused and non-private area, they usually stay up. If in a prominent and private area, no they are taken down.

    Edit – wait wtf did I quote, I meant the guy/girl who asked if they take the sets down.

  24. Myname:
    Kit finished filming his movie today instagram(.)com/p/BJxnC1RB7lJ/

    Thanks for letting us know! That’s such a cute picture of the KITN!

  26. Maggie,

    I guess some Bolton soldiers survived the battle and were taken captive. Maybe they are part of the KITN’s army now?

  34. Flayed Potatoes,

    No, it only states that extras playing Mormont soldiers were being lined up, not that they were actually filming. Maybe next week?

    Kit’s facial hair in that pic is too short for Jon though, based on what it was at the end of S6.

  36. Rhaenys Stark:
    Maggie,

    I guess some Bolton soldiers survived the battle and were taken captive. Maybe they are part of the KITN’s army now?

    Or he sends them to the Wall. It does need reinforcements after all.

  37. BunBunStark: Or he sends them to the Wall. It does need reinforcements after all.

    Wait, I guess if Jon were sending Bolton soldiers to the Wall they wouldn’t need their house shields. Crap, maybe like Cersei’s Bran said, they come under Littlefinger’s control. *gulp*

  38. Yay! 🙂

    Dee Stark:
    that means less of me around here!

    Boo! 😉

    Maggie: The account who posted this claim they are working on Bolton shields. I don’t understand why they would need them..

    To burn them…burn them all!

  39. Honestly, as much as I love the show, it’s the speculation and little bits of information and anticipation in between seasons that I love most. Once the episodes begin, they’re over so darn fast!

  44. BunBunStark,

    Why wouldn’t an out manned and out gunned wall need any supplies or equipment? Would they really turn the shields away just to avoid painting a black “X” over the sigil? Also it was pretty clear that the Bolton army was decimated, I couldn’t imagine Littlefinger risking openly trotting the scraps around with the house sigil and all. He has an entire army of his own that won’t alienate his new allies, how would a few dozen Bolton help him at all?

  46. YESSS! Lady Mormont in the house. Omg I can’t wait until shiz hits the fan and LF tries to unseat Jon or worm…. and the two sides pitted against each other, has Lyanna on Jon’s side beating everyones azz.

  47. My favorite part of waiting has begun, time for spoilers, speculations, Theories, arguments, Debates, and Awards 😀
    Let the games Begin!!!!!!!

  48. Bela:
    But Kit Harington is in Montreal filming a movie.

    He’s wrapping filming in montreal today and will be filming GoT stuff over the weekend.

  49. Great news! For some, the offseason speculation about what’s to come can be almost as much fun as the in-season discussion when a new season is airing (Almost 🙂 ). Hopefully a steady tide of news will help the extra long weight for Season 7 feel slightly less onerous.

    To that end – last offseason while Season 6 was being filmed, Yaga and I worked to maintain a Google Doc containing all of the production news that the fine folks at Watchers on the Wall provided for us, complete with links to the original articles. It was a success, so I thought we’d try it again this year! There’s little need for it this early, but as more information starts to roll in, hopefully it can serve as a quick and useful reference for fans seeking out specific filming reports, or just a general summary of everything we know about Season 7 so far.

    I set up a page for the document in the WOTW forums, which you can access through the toolbar at the top of the page or at the link below.

    http://watchersonthewall.com/topic/season-7-filming-news-and-production-reference/

    However, I know that some people have had trouble accessing the forums recently. So here’s the direct link to the document as well. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDGAHzd0LcV27cwoWUh4bw10ErVs5NOgmJGudC5MGm8/edit?usp=sharing

    I’ll try to keep it updated as often as I can.

  54. Here is link to article about casting news. Putting it behind spoiler tags because some in this thread may wish to remain surprised:

    http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/31/game-thrones-jim-broadbent-season-7

  55. ghost of winterfell,
    Well Sophie has been spotted recently, I know because I’m still giggling at the post from 25 Aug Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and the Stark sisters are back in Belfast as the picture at the top is Nikolaj but very definitely not either Sophie or Maisie, unless one of them has gained glasses, a beard and fair bit of weight since S6 😀

    As for the shields, maybe the person meant they are recycling Bolton (booooooooooo!) ones into another House’s. The show has a very large budget certainly, but it’s not infinite. Perhaps it’s easier to redecorate existing equipment than make it from scratch? ?

  58. mariamb,

    an excellent actor. He was amazing in Brazil and Iris and lastly in London Spy. Curious to find out what is gonna do in GOT but I suspect that he will be the Oldtown master. He will probably be in the same league as Max von Sydow. An elit one season actor for a few episodes…

  60. mariamb,

    Yes he will be perfect for this role! I can already see him with the costume and chains. This is really great news!

  61. Rhaenys Stark,

    That’s amazing! I think he’d be a good fit for the Oldtown maester ( esp. if they decide to have quirky characters like the one Sam met at the library entrance). He seems too old to play Howland (I’m still hoping he’ll appear lol).

  62. mariamb,
    Blimey they are mining British comedy for actors! I know of lot of them have done serious stuff as well but looking through the cast list on IMDB I realise I know King Robert, Dolorous Edd, Thoros of Myr, the Hound, Ramsay Bolton, Hizdahr zo Loraq, Orell, Dontos Hollard, Jory Cassel, Dagmer Cleftjaw, Tycho Nestoris, Robett Glover and Camello (theatre troop Ned) from comedy roles. Most of them are quite recognisable but if you’re struggling with the Hound he’s the Yarp! guy in Hot Fuzz and Thoros was once Dennis Pennis 😀

  63. mariamb:
    Here is link to article about casting news. Putting it behind spoiler tags because some in this thread may wish to remain surprised:

    Fantastic news, and thank you for keeping it spoiler free for our unspoiler buddies! 🙂

  64. Shocked Broadbent doesn’t get his own post (yet).

    Couldn’t think of any major characters other that Rhaegar left to cast, but forgot about Marwyn.

    Unless George decides the Griff’s aren’t enough for late breaking characters. Not that I don’t like them, but at some point you have to say 1000 is enough!

    BTW, what’s the running guess on the major warrior role’s identity? I didn’t get Rhaegar from the description, but is that who everyone has their money on?

    Kinda thought Garlan when I first read it. Still pissed the killed Loras, what with all the Reach fighting coming up. Figured it would be cooler if he died fighting Euron and gave a sympathetic face to that story, rather than just dying how he did.

  68. Cathair,

    It’s ok. You replied to the first part of my message. The question was in the second part.

    Anyone knows if we can come close enough to at least see the place? ( I ask in case I ever visit Ireland)

  69. Akash Singh:
    Jim Broadbent is joining the series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I wrote this elsewhere, but old Professor Slughorn, Broadbent would make a great Archmaester Walgrave.

  70. jdtargstark,

    I think they are only done with the Montreal leg of the movie. They are scheduled to shoot in London & Prague in September & NY in November. So I think Kit might appear for some readings in between, but I think he won’t start shooting before November.

  72. Besides saving spending on the GoT budget, there are several potential reasons for those shields. 1) Symbolism when surviving Bolton men will pledge themselves to House Stark. And of course when the shields are re-painted with the Stark sigil, 2) Since time immemorial, after battle, weapons have almost always appropriated by the winners. Why throw anything useful away? 3) Most importantly, from the military point of view, the conformation of those particular shields has immense tactical value. Those shields and more like them could be invaluable defending men against the White Walkers and wights. Consider how the Bolton men had used them to simultaneously protect their bodies while while pushing back their enemy and carefully striking out at them. It was devastating to Jon’s forces. Surely, this lesson would not have been lost on KITN and his war council.

  74. Rich Stark,

    Kit filmed all his scenes for the movie. The other filming in London, Prague and NYC is for the other character – the eleven year old british boy.

  77. Rich Stark:
    jdtargstark,

    I think they are only done with the Montreal leg of the movie. They are scheduled to shoot in London & Prague in September & NY in November. So I think Kit might appear for some readings in between, but Ithink he won’tstart shooting before November.

    I think he’s shooting for season 7 this weekend because he was supposed to attend the Venice Film Festival, but the director of the movie selected to compete said kit texted him saying he won’t make because he’ll be filming. And Kit finished all of his scenes today and was already spotted in the LaGuardia Airport on his way to london.

    Also, Kit’s scenes were all in Montreal. Prague, London and NY are the locations for the scenes with the british kid who’s telling the story of his idol.

  79. Bela:
    But Kit Harington is in Montreal filming a movie.

    He might get involved much later as scenes at the Wall or Beyond the Wall will require heavy snow

  80. Celine Belanger:
    Cathair,

    It’s ok. You replied to the first part of my message. The question was in the second part.

    Anyone knows if we can come close enough to at least see the place? ( I ask in case I ever visit Ireland)

    Alright, well being from Northern Ireland, I’ve done some sightseeing myself. If you do come, come in the Summer. Trust me, and visit:

    Ballintoy Harbour (Pyke)
    Tollymore Forest (mainly Season 1 scenes when Ned and the Starks found the Direwolves. Also used for Beyond the Wall (the forest that Jon walks through in S4 finale to “kill” Mance before Stannis comes). It’s not used so much now but still it is a stunning place to visit in its own regard.
    Dark Hedges

    Magheramorne Quarry I have not been to myself and I am unsure if you can visit but according to Google Maps, there is a path there so you likely can. Just don’t try visiting when they are shooting, you won’t get very far.

  81. Dee Stark:
    awesome guys.
    that means less of me around here!
    have fun ya’ll!!

    Nooooo, Dee, I know I’ll miss you for sure:( Pop in occasionally and let us know you’re still around!

  85. Elizabeth,

    Ill miss you also!!
    I will be here the rest of the WOTW awards posts, as well as non-spoiler stuff such as Oz’s looking forward pieces, etc…

  87. Sean C.,
    Aaaah I see, thanks. I don’t really pay attention to what the cast are up to unless it’s posted on here. Well, if that is one of them in disguise in that photo of NCW it’s a really good one and they could go just about anywhere without anyone noticing. (I know it’s not, it just makes me giggle ‘cos it was right next to the headline as if that’s what it showed. Tiny things and tiny minds! Lulu’s Mum, here for all your absolutely, completely and utterly properly grown up GoT analysis 😀 )

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