Brexit Won't Hurt Game Of Thrones Production

Game Of Thrones fans have been reassured by its creators that Britain's decision to leave the European Union will not affect filming, after speculation the show would lose EU funding.

Economists and government leaders have warned the Brexit decision will affect growth prospects for the world's fifth largest economy and make it less attractive to investors.

However, the result could discourage Hollywood studios and cable networks from filming in Britain, in part because it will no longer have access to European subsidies.

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Game Of Thrones is partly filmed in Northern Ireland and the series received support from the EU's European Regional Development Fund in its early years.

However HBO has confirmed that the fund has provided no support for the past few seasons.

"We do not anticipate that the result of the EU referendum will have any material effect on HBO producing Game of Thrones," the network said in a statement.

As results from Britain's historic referendum came in overnight, speculation spread online that the decision would hurt HBO's most-watched series, which had as many as 20 million viewers per episode last season.

The show, which airs on Sky Atlantic in the UK, continues to receive funding from the UK, including from Northern Ireland Screen (NIS), which provides government support for local businesses.

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NIS issued a statement saying the organisation "does not use monies provided from European-funded programmes."

The award-winning Game of Thrones, based on George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books, tells the epic fantasy tale of a multi-generational struggle for control of the Iron Throne and rule over the Seven Kingdoms.

The show, now in its sixth season, has a budget of $10m (£7m) per episode, according to Entertainment Weekly.

:: The final episode of series six airs on Sky Atlantic on Monday at 9pm