In a move that will surprise very few, HBO has renewed its option on Game of Thrones for a fourth season, ensuring that filming continues on location in Northern Ireland and can avail of the new tax incentive measures for filming high-end productions in the UK.
The announcement was made jointly by First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in a mark of solidarity for the estimated £65m that the fantasy series has generated for the Northern Irish economy over its three seasons to date.
Season 3 premiered on Sky Atlantic on Monday night, introducing Ciarán Hinds' character Mance Rayder, King Beyond the Wall, while later episodes will see Armagh-actor Richard Dormer come into play as Beric Dondarrion.
Other Irish actors reprising their roles include Aiden Gillen as Lord Baelish, Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark and Liam Cunningham as Ser Davos Seaworth.
Such is the length and complexity of George RR Martin’s third book in the series - ‘A Storm of Swords’ - that this season will only cover the first half of the book, while season 4 will cover the remaining events.
Season 4 will again receive funding from Northern Ireland Screen, Invest Northern Ireland and be part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The Sunday night premiere in the US broke ratings records by attracting 4.4 million viewers on HBO, which represented a 13% increase from the 3.9 million who tuned in to the season two premiere a year before.
