HBO’s award winning series Game of Thrones returns to UK screens this evening with 10 action packed episodes for the second season. The epic fantasy drama, which debuted in 2011, is based on the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ books, by George R.R. Martin. One of the tag lines for this season is: “Five Kings. One Throne.”

 

The last season ended with the king, Robert Baratheon being killed on a hunting trip and his illegitimate son Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne (Joffrey being the result of the incest between Queen Regent Cersei Lannister and her twin brother Jaime – yes, that’s not right!).

 

Robert’s true heir is his younger brother Stannis Baratheon, who is building forces on the island fortress of Dragonstone, the ancient seat of House Targaryen. His youngest brother Renly has also proclaimed himself king, having the support of the powerful Tyrell family behind him.

 

 

In the north, Robb Stark is crowned ‘King of the North’ by his followers. Robb seeks independence from the Iron Throne after the unjust murder of his father by Joffrey.

 

Now the fifth contender we haven’t met yet, but you may remember his son, Theon Greyjoy, friend to Robb Stark. Theon returns home this season to the Iron Islands to offer an alliance and crown to his father Balon Greyjoy, if he will aid Robb Stark in his war against the Lannisters.

 

Meanwhile Daenerys continues her journey across the Narrow Sea but she’s still so far removed from the rest of the story that you can’t really count her as a contender…. just yet. The addition of a few dragons is bound to provide some support to her campaign to gain the Iron Throne.

 

We can’t wait to get into the second series and take-off where season one left us. You can catch it on tonight (2nd April) on Sky Atlantic and Sky Atlantic HD.

 

Until tonight you can check out the awesome trailer, which pretty much sets the tone for season two…

 

You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video

 

Let us know what you think on TwitterGame of Thrones