HBO Faces Backlash Over Game of Thrones Stunt Mishap, Stunt Coordinator Blamed

HBO has come under scrutiny over safety practices on the Game of Thrones franchise following the release of new details about a 2014 on-set stunt accident involving performer Andy Pilgrim. The incident occurred during filming of the season 5 episode “Hardhome” and was captured in a video obtained by Deadline. While the outlet chose not to publish the full footage to protect the identity of the source, it shared a still image depicting the moment Pilgrim suffered a fractured ankle during a high-risk stunt.

According to legal documents filed in 2019, Pilgrim was riding a 16-foot wooden wall that collapsed to the ground as part of the scene. The stunt had initially been rehearsed using a crane to safely lower the structure, but the method was reportedly altered before filming—leaving Pilgrim exposed to significant risk. Deadline notes that the video evidence aligns with Pilgrim’s account of the incident.

The stunt was designed and supervised by Rowley Irlam, HBO’s longtime stunt coordinator who remains a key figure in the Game of Thrones universe, currently working on the prequel series House of the Dragon. In a statement provided by HBO, Irlam defended his record:

“As an experienced stunt coordinator with over 20 years in the industry, I’ve successfully and safely executed hundreds of complex stunts across film and television. Safety is always our top priority in design and execution. When an injury does occur, it’s deeply distressing for everyone involved.”

He addressed the 2014 incident directly, emphasizing that it occurred over a decade ago and was settled privately between Pilgrim and Fire & Blood Productions. “There were no rulings or findings of fault against me,” Irlam stated. “Mr. Pilgrim continued to work within my team for two more seasons, serving in stunt performance and safety roles. The current allegations are unfounded.”

HBO has publicly backed Irlam, reaffirming confidence in his expertise. “We take all safety concerns seriously,” a network spokesperson said. “Mr. Irlam is a respected and celebrated professional with a long-standing relationship with HBO. Given the physical demands of his role, we trust his commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards across our productions.”

In 2018, four years after Pilgrim’s injury, he reached a settlement of £500,000 ($686,000) with the production company. However, concerns resurfaced when another stunt performer, Casey Michaels, sustained a career-ending ankle injury during season 8—also under Irlam’s supervision. Michaels alleged that the stunt was modified between rehearsal and filming, contributing to her fall from a 12-foot height into a box pit. She filed a lawsuit and in 2023 received a settlement of £7 million ($9.3 million), notably higher than the £4 million ($5.3 million) she originally claimed.

The recurring nature of these incidents has sparked renewed conversation about on-set safety in high-budget television productions, particularly within HBO’s expanding Game of Thrones universe.

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