Battle of the Bastards aired in 2016.
The sixth season of the fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones premiered on HBO on April 24 , 2016 , and concluded on June 26 , 2016 .. HBO. HBO. fantasy. fantasy. drama. television drama. Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones. It consists of ten episodes , each of approximately 50 -- 60 minutes , largely of original content not found in George R. R. Martin 's A Song of Ice and Fire series .. George R. R. Martin. George R. R. Martin. A Song of Ice and Fire. A Song of Ice and Fire. Some material is adapted from the upcoming sixth novel The Winds of Winter and the fourth and fifth novels , A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons .. The Winds of Winter. The Winds of Winter. A Feast for Crows. A Feast for Crows. A Dance with Dragons. A Dance with Dragons. The series was adapted for television by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss .. David Benioff. David Benioff. D. B. Weiss. D. B. Weiss. HBO ordered the season on April 8 , 2014 , together with the fifth season , which began filming in July 2015 primarily in Northern Ireland , Spain , Croatia , Iceland and Canada .. HBO. HBO. fifth season. Game of Thrones ( season 5 ). Each episode cost over $ 10 million .. The season follows the continuing struggle between the Starks and other noble families of Westeros for the Iron Throne .. The Starks defeat the Bolton forces in battle , and Jon Snow is proclaimed the King in the North .. Jon Snow. Jon Snow ( character ). Tyrion attempts to rule Meereen while Daenerys is held captive by a Dothraki tribe .. At King 's Landing , the Tyrell army attempts to liberate Margaery and Loras , but Margaery capitulates to the High Sparrow , who becomes more powerful by influencing King Tommen .. Margaery. Margaery Tyrell. High Sparrow. High Sparrow ( character ). Tommen. Tommen Baratheon. At her trial , Cersei burns the Great Sept , killing her rivals , while Tommen kills himself .. Tommen. Tommen Baratheon. Unopposed , Cersei is crowned Queen of Westeros .. Ellaria Sand and three of Oberyn Martell 's daughters kill Doran and Trystane Martell and seize control of Dorne , and Olenna discusses an alliance with Ellaria .. Olenna. Olenna Tyrell. In Essos , Daenerys Targaryen is captured by Khal Moro who takes her before the khals ; she burns them alive and takes command of the Dothraki .. Daenerys Targaryen. Daenerys Targaryen. Game of Thrones features a large ensemble cast , including Peter Dinklage , Nikolaj Coster-Waldau , Lena Headey , Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington .. Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones. ensemble cast. ensemble cast. Peter Dinklage. Peter Dinklage. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Lena Headey. Lena Headey. Emilia Clarke. Emilia Clarke. Kit Harington. Kit Harington. The season introduced new cast members , including Max von Sydow , Pilou Asbæk and James Faulkner .. Max von Sydow. Max von Sydow. Pilou Asbæk. Pilou Asbæk. James Faulkner. James Faulkner ( actor ). Critics praised its production values , writing , plot development , and cast .. Game of Thrones received most nominations for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards , with 23 nominations , and won twelve , including that for Outstanding Drama Series for the second year in a row .. Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones. 68th Primetime Emmy Awards. 68th Primetime Emmy Awards. Outstanding Drama Series. Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. U.S. viewership rose compared to the previous season , and by approximately 13 % over its course , from 7.9 million to 8.9 million by the finale .