'Game of Thrones' premiere: Westeros comes to Hollywood

Sibel Kekilli, left, and Peter Dinklage, who play Shae and Tyrion Lannister, respectively, in the hit HBO series "Game of Thrones," attend the after-party for the show's premiere March 18, 2013, at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Emilia Clarke, right, who plays Daenerys Targaryen in "Game of Thrones," greets former cast member Jason Momoa, who played Khal Drogo, at the show's third season premiere in Los Angeles. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

Musicians perform at the after-party for HBO's "Game of Thrones" at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles on March 18, 2013. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, left, who plays Jaime Lannister in "Game of Thrones," and Gwendoline Christie, who plays Brienne, attend the "Game of Thrones" after-party. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Author George R.R. Martin, who wrote the "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series on which "Game of Thrones" is based, attends the after-party for the third season premiere. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

"Game of Thrones" actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, left, who plays Jaime Lannister, attends the show's third season premiere. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen in "Game of Thrones." (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Richard Madden, left, who plays Robb Stark, and Sophie Turner, who plays Sansa Stark. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

Lena Headey, who plays Cersei Lannister in "Game of Thrones." (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Rose Leslie, who plays Ygritte. (Kevin Winter / AFP / Getty Images)

Carice van Houten, who plays Melisandre. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Michelle Fairley, who plays Catelyn Stark. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Aidan Gillen, who plays Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Rory McCann, who plays Sandor "The Hound" Clegane. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Natalia Tena, who plays Osha. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Theon Greyjoy actor Alfie Allen. (Jason Merritt / Getty Images)

Nathalie Emmanuel, who plays Missandei. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

"Game of Thrones" actresses Oona Chaplin (Talisa Maegyr), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Natalia Tena (Osha). (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Isaac Hempstead-Wright, who plays Bran Stark. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Esme Bianco (Ros), left, and Sibel Kekilli (Shae). (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Robb Stark actor Richard Madden, left, and "Doctor Who" actress Jenna-Louise Coleman. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), left, and Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark). (Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark), left, John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Rose Leslie (Ygritte), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister). (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Westeros came to Hollywood on Tuesday night with “Game of Thrones” stars Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Richard Madden and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, among others, walking the red carpet for a lavish premiere celebrating the show’s third season, which is set to begin March 31.

Based on the bestselling fantasy series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by author George R. R. Martin, “Game of Thrones” has been a massive success for HBO, drawing an average of 10.4 million viewers last season with its unique mix of character drama, cutthroat political intrigue and supernatural elements.

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That same combination was on display in the premiere episode, which the show’s creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, introduced at the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s) by describing their initial meeting with Martin. During that first conversation, Benioff and Weiss said, Martin listened quietly to their pitch and then asked them only one question: “Who is Jon Snow’s mother?”

They gave their answer (which they did not share with the audience), Martin smiled, and the rest is history.

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The third book in Martin’s saga, “A Storm of Swords,” forms the spine for the upcoming run of episodes — the next two seasons, in fact. The sprawling scope of the massive tome, which runs upward of 900 pages in hardcover, was too great to be contained in 10 episodes.

We’ll refrain from spoilers, but expect to see a number of familiar characters, not to mention some maturing dragons, in the upcoming premiere.

Following the screening, HBO hosted a Westeros-themed party at the Roosevelt Hotel, complete with a replica Iron Throne, house sigils on the walls, archery, medieval-style makeovers, fortune-tellers and performances by jugglers and belly-dancers.

Many cast members, including Dinklage, Madden and Coster-Waldau, were in attendance, as well as such notable figures as author Michael Chabon and “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening.

HBO also released a new trailer in time for the premiere. Watch it above and let us know what you think in the comments.

– Noelene Clark | @NoeleneClark

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