Season two filming to start July 25

HBO has announced that the second season of Game of Thrones will start shooting on July 25th in Belfast, Northern Ireland. They note that other locations will be announced as they are confirmed. Cast, writers and directors will also be announced as they are confirmed. After the jump, the full press release. Northern Ireland Screen also reported on the announcement, with a quote from their chief executive.

Winter Is Coming: For the record, this is nearly the exact same date that they began filming season one (that started on July 26th). Same start date plus same amount of episodes means that we should expect a season two premiere around the same time as well. April 15th, 2012 looks good to me.

Press release:

Production for season two of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones is set to begin Monday, July 25. Once again, production for the series will be based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The series will shoot at the Paint Hall Studio in Belfast, as well as various locations in Northern Ireland. Additional locations will be announced as they are confirmed. The production continues to receive funding from Northern Ireland Screen.

Based on the best-selling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, the ten-episode first season of GAME OF THRONES launched April 17, exclusively on HBO, with the finale scheduled to debut Sunday, June 19.

Casting, writers and directors for season two will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

• Published on 06/17/2011 at 1:23 PM CDT
• Last updated on 06/17/2011 at 1:32 PM CDT