"The BBC had dropped out. They were going to co-finance the project so it meant that the whole cost burden was on us."
It was one of Game Of Thrones' canny producers, Carolyn Strauss, who managed to convince Plepler to meet with the show's co-creator, David Benioff.
Benioff convinced him the premise of the show was universal, even though it may have seemed "off-brand".
Benioff said it should appeal to Plepler's "political junkie" side as it was basically a story of power and said regardless of where the show was set, he would forget where he was after 15 minutes.
Benioff's passion sealed the deal.
"He looked at me," Plepler said in a recent video interview "and he said, 'I have wrestled with this for the last two years. I understand it, I feel it, I breathe it. There are very few things in my life that I would devote the next 8-10 years to and this is one of them.'"
Benioff promised Plepler he wouldn't let him down. He has certainly made good. Game Of Thrones has become the most popular, and most talked about, show for HBO.
A behind-the-scenes video has caused a stir in the lead-up to the premiere of season six. The video, meant as a tribute to the production crew and camera operators, has been scrutinised by fans for clues - just another sign of the intense interest in the show.
Fans were pleased to see many favourite characters featured, including Tyrion Lannister, Daario Naharis, Daenerys and Jaime Lannister. There was also a possible childhood flashback scene with a young Ned and Brandon Stark. Daenerys' long-term admirer Jorah Mormont is also shown. The series returns in April.
- AAP
