Maisie Williams, who plays Ayra Stark on “Game of Thrones,” is filmed during a water scene for the new series on Aug. 17, 2015 in Carnlough, Northern Ireland. (Photo : Getty Images/ Charles McQuillan)
The EU referendum debate not only involves political, economical and commercial concerns, but may also affect the favorite HBO series "Games of Thrones." If the majority in the United Kingdom votes to leave the EU, Northern Ireland, which is the primary production base for the television show, will also depart from the consortium.
Apparently, the referendum may not have much impact on the hit television show loosely based on George R. R. Martin's novel "A Song of Ice and Fire." In reality, aside from pinching the economies of Britain and Europe, the move may hit "Game of Thrones" harder, Foreign Policy reported.
Since Brexit will make it costlier to produce shows like the "Game of Thrones," it means a possible separation will result in the collision of both the real world as well as the fantasy universe to the detriment of both.
A British vote to leave the EU would take stocks, bonds and currencies on a wild ride, analysts and investors say https://t.co/EVkVF6Bly3
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 23, 2016
The main reason behind this is that if the U.K. decides to leave the EU, it will also take Northern Ireland along with it, thereby possibly depriving HBO of one of its most important filming locations. According to the report, lots of cash are needed to show Jon Snow and several thousand Stark loyalists defeating the forces of Ramsay Bolton to recapture Winterfell, a scene shot in Northern Ireland and aired last Sunday.
Aside from being potentially robbed of its preferred filming locations, the hit HBO series will also face other problems if Britain votes to exit the EU. It is unbelievably expensive to produce as series like "Game of Thrones," which partially depends on an injection of money from the European Regional Development Fund of the EU, The Independent reported.
The grant from the European Union helps to promote economic growth across the union. In fact, "Game of Thrones" generates thousands of employments Northern Ireland, Spain and elsewhere in the EU every year.
As the exit of Britain, and also Northern Ireland, from the EU will cut down on the budget for the show, it might be very difficult for the producers to film monstrous scenes like last week's 'Battle of the Bastards.' Moreover, the producers will also face continuity considerations if they have to film many of its Westeros scenes of the show in any other country.
In fact, "Game of Thrones" is a very big show and possibly it will be able to find a way out to survive even after Brexit, but Britain quitting the EU for good is certainly a grave threat to foreign TV and film productions.
Watch "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Brexit" below:
