Game of Thrones to air in UK and USA simultaneously

Game of Thrones

HBO and Sky Atlantic are to air the fourth series of Game of Thrones at the same time in the states and the UK.

Originally the plan was to air the drama in the UK later the next day, at 9pm, and while the later broadcast will remain fans this side of the Atlantic can see the action unfold at the same time as HBO viewers on the east coast of America. The news was announced at the series press launch earlier this evening in London.

Fans of the show will have to stay up late however if they want their fix of the adventure series, set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, as it will air on Sky Atlantic at 2am.

Game of Thrones chronicles the violent power struggles between the realm’s noble families. Last month HBO released a behind-the-scenes preview video featuring star interviews, out-takes and up-coming episode footage.

Some of the most shocking and mind-blowing scenes of the entire series come at the end of this coming season –  – David Benioff co-creator noted in the video.

Since launching in April 2011 the show has won numerous awards including a BAFTA and a Golden Globe award. Many of the cast will return in the latest instalment including Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Kit Harington, Aidan Gillen, Iain Glen, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Jack Gleeson, Alfie Allen, Natalie Dormer, Gwendoline Christie and Charles Dance.

HBO and Sky also note that a wealth of new talent will also join the cast, including Pedro Pascal, Indira Varma, Roger Ashton-Griffiths, Michiel Huisman, Yuri Kolokolnikov and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.

The season premiere, entitled Two Swords, is written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss and directed by D. B. Weiss. Michelle MacLaren, Alex Graves and Neil Marshall are among the other directors for the fourth season. George RR Martin will also return to write an episode.

Night owls can catch the first episode of series four at 2am on April 7th on Sky Atlantic and again at 9pm. (Sunday 6th April at 9pm ET, USA)