Summary

A leaked video of a stunt gone wrong in Game of Thrones has raised concerns about HBO's safety standards.
Despite previous accidents and legal payouts, HBO continues to stand by its stunt coordinator.
The need for more comprehensive safety measures on set is highlighted by repeated injuries during filming.

A second Game of Thrones leaked video has surfaced, which showcases a stunt that went very wrong during the filming of 'Hardhome', leading, yet again, to some questions being asked about HBO production stunt safety standards. It is reported that HBO is still upholding its safety standards after a previous $6.9 million payout to a stuntwoman in an accident during a climactic battle sequence in The Long Night ended her career.

Throughout Game of Thrones' run on the small screen, which aired for eight seasons between April 17, 2011, and May 19, 2019, several scenes have stood out for fans. Whether it's the impressive large-scale fights seen in 'Battle of the Bastards' that feature hundreds of soldiers and horses in a huge brutal fight, or the savage fight between Oberyn Martell and Gregor Clegane (The Mountain), the fantasy series has gone down in TV history for its remarkable visual sequences. However, with such life-like stunts comes real-life responsibility, especially concerning safeguarding cast members and crew extras, but it seems as though HBO has come under fire for two separate incidents where injuries were sustained on the set of Game of Thrones.

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By Chris Harkin

HBO Responds After Second Game of Thrones Stunt Accident Leaks

According to Deadline, the video in question shows stuntman Andy Pilgrim getting seriously injured while working on Game of Thrones Season 5’s episode Hardhome. It's reported that Pilgrim was performing a stunt involving riding a 16-foot wooden wall as it fell forward to the floor, but the crane holding the wall fell forward instead of being lowered, causing it to drop in an "uncontrolled and ungoverned fashion," which then hit Pilgrim's ankle, breaking it. Although the outlet hasn't publicly shared the video for all to see, and instead shared a screenshot, the footage is said to have come from Wayne Michaels, who is the father of Casey Michaels, another stunt performer who was injured in the episode, The Long Night, which required her to drop 12 feet onto a landing rig of cardboard boxes and mats. However, it didn't turn out as expected, leaving Michaels with a career-ending injury.

Deadline has seemingly viewed the 30-second footage of the incident, stating that "Pilgrim’s account appears to be supported by a video," containing, "In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack. In his lawsuit, Pilgrim claimed that these were the crane cables that were meant to control the landing of the wall. As the dead army charged forward, Pilgrim can be seen lying on the wooden wall after suffering his injury."

screenshot from Deadline capturing Andy Pilgrim incident on Game of Thrones

In response to Pilgrim's video, HBO shared a statement with the outlet, saying that the company takes "these matters very seriously," and has opted to stand by Rowley Irlam, the coordinator in charge of the Game of Thrones stunt that injured Pilgrim, as well as Casey Michaels, saying that "Mr. Irlam is a celebrated and respected stunt coordinator and has an extensive history with HBO productions. As an expert in such a physically demanding field, we remain confident in his abilities and know he has always done everything possible to maintain the high safety standards that are required on our productions.” Irlam is currently the coordinator of HBO's House of the Dragon, but in 2010, another incident under Irlam's watch happened during the making of Captain America: The First Avenger, in which two performers allegedly suffered injuries, leaving one knocked unconscious.

In the same statement from HBO, Irlam said, "As an experienced stunt coordinator of over 20 years, I have successfully and safely managed hundreds of complex stunt sequences across film and television. We put great care into designing stunt sequences with safety as the top priority. In the rare instances when an injury does occur, it is deeply upsetting for everyone involved."

“The unfortunate incident involving Mr Pilgrim took place 11 years ago. The matter was resolved between Mr Pilgrim and the production company and there were no rulings or findings of fault against me personally. Mr Pilgrim continued to work within my team for two additional seasons following the incident, serving as stunt performer and stunt safety professional only. The accusations you put forward are simply untrue and unfounded.”

Although unforeseen accidents are bound to happen while filming massive battle sequences and dangerous stunts, it seems as though even more care needs to go into the safety of its performers, regardless of how incredible the end result could be. While it's simpler to deny responsibility, multiple injuries happening under one specific stunt coordinator's watch should be taken more seriously, as well as a more detailed investigation regarding why Pilgrim’s accident, even though allegedly reported to the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI), did not lead to a formal investigation.