Artefacts and costumes used in the filming of Game of Thrones went on display at the opening of the television programme’s exhibition at the O2 arena in London.

Game of Thrones exhibition at the O2 in London

Game of Thrones exhibition at the O2 arena in London. Image by Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

The exhibition is displaying artefacts from pivotal scenes throughout the series, plus a first look at pieces from the forthcoming fifth season.

Actor John Bradley-West (centre) who plays Samwell Tarly in the television series Game of Thrones with fans of the show, at the opening of the Game of Thrones exhibition at the O2 arena

Actor John Bradley-West (centre) who plays Samwell Tarly in the television series with fans of the show, at the opening of the Game of Thrones exhibition at the O2 arena. Image by Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Actor John Bradley-West, who plays Samwell Tarly in the television series signed copies of the book for fans who had gathered for the display.

A fan of the television series Game of Thrones take pictures at the opening of the Game of Thrones exhibition at the O2 arena in London.

A fan of the television series Game of Thrones takes pictures at the opening of the Game of Thrones exhibition at the O2 arena. Image by Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

The series is an American fantasy drama and is filmed in a Belfast studio and on location across Northern Ireland. It is also filmed in Scotland, Malta, the USA, Spain, Croatia, Morocco and Iceland.

Milly Milly Anderson, fan of the television series Game of Thrones at the opening of the Game of Thrones exhibition at the O2 arena in London

Milly Anderson, fan of the television series Game of Thrones at the opening of the exhibition. Image by Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Such is its popularity since it premiered on HBO in the United States in 2011, that the fifth season is scheduled to begin this April. Game Of Thrones actor John Bradley said fans can expect to be “surprised” and “double-crossed” by the new series of the fantasy show.

Bradley, who plays Night’s Watch steward Samwell Tarly in the hit programme, said the Game Of Thrones team had worked hard to keep their die-hard fans hooked for the fifth series. The Manchester-born actor was speaking at the launch of an exhibition into the show at London’s O2 arena, where he brazenly took up a seat on the Iron Throne itself – though not in character.

He said: “The quandary going into season five, if anything, is that we know what people like, we know what people expect, so we know that we are going to have to keep them interested in what they like but find ways of surprising them still. “I think people, after watching 40 hours of something, they start to know the formula a bit – or they start to think they know the formula a bit – so we have got to find new and exciting ways of both keeping it familiar and double-crossing them. And I think we’ve managed to do that.”

Looking to the coming travails for his own character, he added: “As far as Sam is concerned, Sam finished season four on a relative high. “He achieved so much in season four, not only coming to the forefront and gaining all this responsibility during the battle for Castle Black but also forming the more intimate relationship with Gilly. “You will see how that goes into season five and you will also see how that is affected by the arrival of Stannis and everybody else.”

With more than 70 props and costumes from the fourth and fifth seasons and interactive elements at the exhibition, Game Of Thrones fans can fully immerse themselves in the fantastical world of Westeros. A breath of flames from the dragon Drogon will engulf those fans foolish enough to stand in its way – a grisly death that can be captured on film for posterity – while others may prefer the experience of being “turned” by a White Walker, face frosted and eyes turned blue. And a 4D “ascend the wall” virtual reality experience allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of Jon Snow and the Night’s Watch and ride the Castle Black winch elevator to the top of the 700ft ice wall, before being attacked by wildlings.

Other exhibits include gowns worn by Missandei and Daenerys Targaryen, a Meereenese mask and the nails and hammer used to crucify the Masters of Meereen. Eddard Stark’s sword Ice is on display, as are Arya Stark’s Needle and Jorah Mormont’s blade and its peacock feather-decorated sheath. Fans can also grasp the hilt of the 5ft 4in sword wielded by Gregor Clegane, The Mountain – but in anticipation of not all Game Of Thrones viewers being as big as the 6ft 9in actor Hafthor Bjornsson, the giant broadsword is held on a stand.

Speaking about the exhibition, Bradley added: “I have seen this exhibition all over, in Belfast, New York, San Diego and Oslo. It always takes me aback how crazy people seem to go for it. “I think that they see the show as something so fantastical and so out of this world, so when they actually encounter bits and pieces from the show they feel that they are in it and that a bridge has been built between them and people that they love.”

Hordes of Game Of Thrones fans descended on the O2 for the exhibition’s opening, many clutching swords and bows as they dressed as their favourite characters from the show. Among them was die-hard fan Molly Coldridge, 18, a student from Portsmouth. Ms Coldridge was dressed in the wedding gown of Margaery Tyrell – daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell and betrothed of Tommen Baratheon – a dress she had specially made. She said: “I love Game Of Thrones. I am fascinated with the costumes, I love it. They are stunning work. “I just love high fantasy and George RR Martin (the author of the Game Of Thrones novels) is a genius. I love his world and the fact that these people can bring it to life is amazing.” Asked what she is looking forward to seeing in the forthcoming series, Ms Coldridge said “a little bit more living, less dead” and the introduction of some “strong independent women” as new characters.

More than 2,800 different props have been developed for Game Of Thrones over the last four seasons. Approximately 4,700 weapons were used in the Battle of Blackwater Bay scene alone.

The Game Of Thrones exhibition is open to Sky TV customers in the Sky Backstage rooms at The O2 arena in Greenwich until Thursday and again from February 15 to 17, before going on an international tour.

(Press Association)