Game of Thrones CC #3 | :- Waiting For The Winds Of Winter -: | - Page 16

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HBO has locked up its Game of Thrones stars for a potential seventh season of the hit drama.

The principal Thrones actors, who were signed only through six seasons of the show, have completed an extensive renegotiation of their contracts that includes an option for season 7, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. In exchange for the option, HBO has ponied up huge raises for seasons 5, 6 and the potential season 7 that will make the cast members among the highest paid on cable TV.

Game of Thrones, based on the best-selling books byGeorge R.R. Martin, was renewed in April for two additional seasons, taking it through season 6. A seventh season has not been greenlit but is considered highly likely given Thrones' status as a ratings smash and awards favorite.

See more 'Game of Thrones'' Most Gruesome Deaths

With one of the largest and most diverse ensemble casts on TV, Thrones employs a tiered system to compensate its stars, according to sources. The "A" tier " which includes actorsKit Harington (Jon Snow), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) " is paid at the highest level. The "A" tier actors are said to have renegotiated their deals in tandem.

The so-called "B" tier " which is said to include co-stars Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and others " is paid on a lower scale but is said to be scoring raises as well in exchange for season 7 options. A lower tier of regular actors will receive much smaller pay increases, according to sources.

Renegotiations are common on hit shows, and Thrones is the biggest show on HBO. Its fourth-season finale drew 7.1 million total viewers. Last season, Thrones topped The Sopranos as HBO's most-watched series in terms of average gross viewership. The series draws a massive 18.6 million viewers across multiple platforms and views. Its viewership overseas is similarly strong.

In addition, the series most recently led the Emmy nominations with 19 total mentions, including best drama, supporting actor and actress for Dinklage and Headey, respectively; writing and drama series. Thrones also has helped its cast land high-profile film projects.

Of course, when an actor signs on for seven seasons of Game of Thrones it doesn't mean his or her character will live that long. Thrones is notorious for killing off characters, and Martin is still finishing the book series on which the show is based, which means the stars could lose their jobs " and their new paychecks " before a seventh season.

Of the "A" tier stars, Harrington is repped in the US by CAA, Parseghian Planco and attorney Karl Austen; Dinklage is repped by CAA, Insight and Austen; Headey is repped by CAA, TMT and attorney Roger Haber; Clarke is repped by CAA; and Coster-Waldau is repped by WME, Impression and Lindberg Management.

Tatiana Siegel contributed to this report.

UPDATE: An HBO rep declined to comment on the renegotiation or season 7 options.