Game of Thrones set to return to Spain for series eight filming

GAME OF THRONES producers want to return to Andalucia in southern Spain to record scenes for the eighth and final season in two locations where scenes of the seventh season have already been filmed, event though it has not yet been released.

The producers of the smash HBO series formally contacted the Junta de Andalucía on June 19 to express their intention to film in the spring of 2018 at the Atarazanas Reales Royal Dockyards in Sevilla and the ancient Roman city of Italica.

One problem to be overcome, though, is that the restoration of Atarazanas Reales is scheduled for March 2018.

But the GOT producers have said that if it’s not possible to record there it would not film in Italica either and would, instead, film all scenes in Northern Ireland.

The shipyards were used for their original purpose until the 15th century, when the growth in size of ships rendered them too small. After that they were used as storage depots. In the 17th century, five of the sheds were converted for use by the Hospital de la Caridad (Charity Hospital). In 1993 the Regional Government purchased the remaining sheds from the Ministry of Defence and restored them.

It is believed that the culture department of the Junta will make every effort to accommodate the filming and possibly reschedule the restoration works at the old medieval shipyards because of the value of increased tourism to the region.

In previous series, Spain has filled in for the warmer climes of Dorne, the most southerly of the seven kingdoms of Westeros, and the lands of Essos, across the Narrow Sea.

The bullring of the Andalucian town of Osuna became the fighting pits of Meereen, the Alcazar of Sevilla was the perfect substitute for Sunspear, the capital of Dorne, and its Water Gardens, while Cordoba’s Roman Bridge became the Long Bridge of Volantis.

The premiere of the seventh season will take place on 17 July 17 simultaneously in the United States and on both HBO Spain and Movistar Series Xtra.