Game of Thrones is a television series.
Game of Thrones . The series has received 38 Primetime Emmy Awards , including Outstanding Drama Series in 2015 and 2016 , more than any other primetime scripted television series . The first season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered on HBO on April 17 , 2011 , at 9.00 pm in the U.S. , and concluded on June 19 , 2011 . Kit Harington . He rose to prominence playing the role of Jon Snow in the HBO television series Game of Thrones ( 2011 -- present ) , which garnered him a nomination for the 2016 Primetime Emmy Award . Peter Dinklage . Since 2011 , Dinklage has portrayed Tyrion Lannister in the HBO series Game of Thrones , which earned him the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2011 and 2015 , as well as receiving consecutive Emmy nominations from 2011 to 2016 .