HarperCollins is thrilled to announce that legendary fantasy author George R.R. Martin’s book A Game of Thrones will air as a TV series on FOXTEL and AUSTAR’s showcase channel from July 17, 2011.

A Game of Thrones, the first volume in Martin’s epic A Song of Ice and Fire series, tells the story of the treachery, greed and war that threatens the unity of the Seven Kingdoms. Set in a fabulous world scarred by battle and catastrophe, it recounts the deeds of men and women locked in the deadliest of conflicts and the terrible legacy they will leave their children.

The HBO-produced series was a long time in the making for executive producers David Benioff and Dan Weiss: ‘It’s been a long ride. When we read the first book, even before we finished it, we had already figured out who two of the main roles should be — with Sean Bean who plays Stark and Peter Dinklage who plays Tyrion. So to have them both there and to see it actually coming to life, that’s a great feeling of satisfaction,’ says Benioff.

Benioff, who is an avid fan of Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, adds: ‘I think George’s books are great books, and within any great books there are lessons to be learned about power and the pursuit of power and what power does to people. I think if I could choose one element that the books explore, it would be power. Think of this as The Wire or The Sopranos but set in the Middle Ages.’

Martin’s hotly-anticipated new addition to A Song of Ice and Fire series, A Dance with Dragons, will be published by HarperCollins on July 12, 2011.

The premiere of Game of Thrones will air on FOXTEL and AUSTAR’s showcase channel on Sunday July 17 at 8:30pm. The Song of Ice and Fire series, including A Game of Thrones and A Dance with Dragons, is published by HarperCollins and available at all good bookstores and online.