HBO – CALL ME.
A Skyrim Television Show?
Article by Justin T. Bowler
Game of Thrones is one of the most acclaimed sword-and-sandal series of all time and a monster hit for HBO. At the Emmy Awards in 2016, it took home its 38th award after winning coveted statuettes for Best Writing, Best Directing and Best Drama. The series was nominated for twenty-four awards and came home with twelve and, as a result, the popular fantasy epic has secured two new Guinness World Records titles for Most Emmy Awards for a fictional series and Most Emmy Awards for a drama series. Previously, the most awarded fictional series was the U.S. comedy Frasier, which has thirty-seven.
Over the years, Game of Thrones has achieved many historic television records. As of Feb 2016, it received sixteen awards from the Visual Effects Society – the most VES awards won by a TV series. In September 2015, Game of Thrones gained the most Emmy awards won by a TV series in a season (12) for its fifth season. In addition, according to download-monitoring website TorrentFreak, it has been the most pirated TV show for the fourth consecutive year (as of 2015), nearing 15 million. So, with all of that being said, every channel out there is looking for the next Game of Thrones. I have the answer (understand, I don’t own the rights to any of this, but I’m willing to come aboard as a producer).
Turn Skyrim into a series!
Just like GoT, the story is already mapped out in its many different forms, allowing for the writers to pick the best of the best options for the public. Or, here’s a crazy thought, show alternative story lines/endings to episodes later in the week after the initial airing of an episode (I know, CRAZY, RIGHT?). But, back to the basic idea (TAKE NOTICE HOLLYWOOD!).
The individual seasons of Skyrim could focus/arc over the larger quests, while weekly episodes could arc over individual side quests for the major quest or storyline. For example, Season One would introduce the world, the war, its characters, and the Dragonborn storyline while actually illustrating the Thieves’ Guild storyline as it’s Season One plot. This would allow us to show our hero is not just a Dudley Do-Right, but more of a lovable scoundrel. Season Two could focus on the Dark Brotherhood, where we see our hero turn a little too sinister, but allow for redemption at the end of the season. Season Three sees our hero joining the College of Winterhold and excelling as a Wizard. This would also introduce vampires into the series. Season Four would focus on becoming a Companion. This also allows us to keep introducing new creatures into the mix (werewolves, vampires, etc). Season Five would follow up the werewolf/vampire battles of Season Four with the Dawnguard storyline. Though we would have been peppering in the war of the Imperials versus the Stormcloaks throughout every season, Season Six would focus mostly on the war. Then finally, Season Seven would wrap everything up by finishing out the Dragonborn storyline as well. Basically, the overall arc of the series would be the war and the journey to becoming the Dragonborn.
So, there you have it. And in answer to your questions… Yes Hollywood, I am available for meetings, and yes Hollywood, I have other ideas to make this more awesome.
So, let’s get on this, HBO. You need another violent, fantasty, adult-oriented, super mega, multistory hit to fill the giant gaping hole in your Sunday night line-up after the Spring of 2018. We don’t have a lot of time to waste. Call me, before Mark Cuban or the SyFy network does.
Justin Bowler
IG: @IndyFilmTwittic or @JustinTBowler
Twitter: @JustinTBowler
we need this but don’t feature the dragon born just elude to his her presence in skyrim , never actually showing the actual dragonborn hero., just set the show in the Provice of Skyrim and show the different characters and stories for each of them. the final season will elude to the defeat’s of Alduin , miraak and the vampire lord of volkihar.
I totally agree with Justin. I have envisioned pretty much the same format. The Skyrim story is so vast and epic there could easily be 6 to 8 seasons. Not only is the fan base huge but the marketability of Nordic/Middle-Ages type scenarios are typically a hit when done right. Bethesda has seemed to have changed their stance about making their games into on-screen theatrics as it has been announced that “Fallout” may soon be a TV series on Amazon Prime. This gives me hope that perhaps Skyrim may follow down the same path. I would imagine that if Fallout does well, Skyrim would pretty much be a no-brainer. I’ll admit, I am not much of a fan of Fallout but I am kind of excited about the potential TV series. If the series is successful, it wouldn’t be unlikely to see a spike in sales of the video game saga. So not only would revenue from the show be coming in, but also, revenue from game sales that probably would never have happened due to the show. Are you listening Bethesda? I want to believe that this IS actually the plan of Bethesda and “Fallout” makes as a better candidate for a trial run before they consider doing the same for “Skyrim.” My thoughts would be, “If it worked for Fallout, then Skyrim would most likely do even better.” At least that is my opinion. Let cross our fingers, pray to the 9, and hope this is the case.