EMMY(R)- AND GOLDEN GLOBE-WINNING HBO SERIES "GAME OF THRONES" RETURNS FOR FOURTH SEASON APRIL 6

Encouraged by the Red Wedding slaughter in the Riverlands that wiped out many of their Stark nemeses, the Lannisters' hold on the Iron Throne remains intact... but can they survive their own egos, as well as new and ongoing threats from the south, north and east? While an unbowed Stannis Baratheon continues to rebuild his army in Dragonstone, a more immediate danger comes from the south, as Oberyn Martell, the Lannister-loathing "Red Viper of Dorne," arrives at King's Landing to attend Joffrey's wedding to Margaery Tyrell, and perhaps act on an ulterior agenda. In the north, a depleted Night's Watch seems overmatched against the inexorable Wall advances of Mance Rayder's army of wildlings, which in turn is being trailed by an even more formidable foe: the undead White Walkers. As if that weren't enough, Daenerys Targaryen, accompanied by her menacing trio of dragons and army of Unsullied, is poised to liberate Meereen, the largest city in Slaver's Bay, which could ultimately provide her with enough ships to sail to Westeros and reclaim the Iron Throne.

The Emmy(R)- and Golden Globe-winning GAME OF THRONES returns for its ten-episode fourth season SUNDAY, APRIL 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, followed by other episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time. Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, the hit series is an epic story of treachery and nobility set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last years, and only the lust for power is eternal.

Returning series regulars on GAME OF THRONES this season include: Emmy(R) and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister), Aidan Gillen (Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish), Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon), Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Diana Rigg (Lady Olenna Tyrell), Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark).

Additional returning series regulars this season include: Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Jerome Flynn (Bronn), Conleth Hill (Varys), John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Liam Cunningham (Davos Seaworth), Stephen Dillane (Stannis Baratheon), Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont), Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane), Sibel Kekilli (Shae), Rose Leslie (Ygritte), Rory McCann (Sandor "The Hound" Clegane), Michael McElhatton (Roose Bolton), Iwan Rheon (Ramsay Snow) and Carice van Houten (Melisandre).

Returning cast members include: Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Jojen Reed), Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Ciaran Hinds (Mance Rayder), Finn Jones (Loras Tyrell), Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed), Kristian Nairn (Hodor) and Gemma Whelan (Yara Greyjoy).

New cast members for the fourth season include: Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell), Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand, Oberyn's paramour), Roger Ashton-Griffiths (Lord Mace Tyrell), Michiel Huisman (Daario Naharis, a mercenary ally to Daenerys), Yuri Kolokolnikov (Styr, a wildlings chief) and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (Ser Gregor Clegane, a.k.a. "The Mountain").

April's episodes:

Episode #31: "Two Swords"

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 6 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: April 6 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 7 (11:00 p.m.), 8 (9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 9 (12:30 a.m.), 10 (10:00 p.m.), 11 (9:00 p.m.), 12 (10:15 p.m.) and 18 (8:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: April 7 (9:00 p.m.), 11 (4:00 a.m.) and 13 (4:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) welcomes a guest to King's Landing. At Castle Black, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) finds himself unwelcome. Dany (Emilia Clarke) is pointed to Meereen, the mother of all slave cities. Arya (Maisie Williams) runs into an old friend.

Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss; directed by D. B. Weiss.

Episode #32: "The Lion and the Rose"

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 13 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: April 13 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 14 (11:30 p.m.), 15 (9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 16 (12:15 a.m.), 17 (10:00 p.m.), 18 (9:00 p.m.), 19 (12:45 a.m.) and 25 (8:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: April 14 (9:00 p.m.), 18 (3:30 a.m.) and 20 (4:45 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

Tyrion lends Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) a hand. Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) and Margaery (Natalie Dormer) host a breakfast. At Dragonstone, Stannis (Stephen Dillane) loses patience with Davos (Liam Cunningham). Ramsay (Iwan Rheon) finds a purpose for his pet. North of the Wall, Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright) sees where they must go.

Written by George R.R. Martin; directed by Alex Graves.

Episode #33: "Breaker of Chains"

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: April 20 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 21 (midnight), 22 (8:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.), 23 (midnight), 24 (10:00 p.m.), 25 (9:00 p.m.) and 26 (12:45 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: April 21 (9:00 p.m.), 25 (3:30 a.m.) and 27 (3:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

Tyrion ponders his options. Tywin (Charles Dance) extends an olive branch. Sam (John Bradley) realizes Castle Black isn't safe, and Jon proposes a bold plan. The Hound (Rory McCann) teaches Arya the way things are. Dany chooses her champion.

Written by David Benioff & D. B. Weiss; directed by Alex Graves.

Episode #34: "Oathkeeper"

Debut: SUNDAY, APRIL 27 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: April 27 (11:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m.), 28 (10:30 p.m.), 29 (9:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.) and 30 (12:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdate: April 28 (9:00 p.m.)

Dany balances justice and mercy. Jaime tasks Brienne (Gwendoline Christie) with his honor. Jon secures volunteers while Bran, Jojen (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Meera (Ellie Kendrick) and Hodor (Kristian Nairn) stumble on shelter.

Written by Bryan Cogman; directed by Michelle MacLaren.

Among the critical praise for the third season, the Hollywood Reporter called GAME OF THRONES "addictive and outstanding," while Newsday termed the series "superb," awarding the show an A+. The Chicago Tribune hailed the show as "spellbinding" and the Washington Post described it as "masterful."

In Sept. 2013, GAME OF THRONES received two Emmys(R), including Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) and Outstanding Special Visual Effects.

In Sept. 2012, the show received six Emmys(R), tied for the most of any program, including Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series (tied with HBO's "Boardwalk Empire"), Outstanding Costumes for a Series, Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic), Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour) and Outstanding Special Visual Effects.

In Sept. 2011, the show received two Emmys(R), for Outstanding Main Title Design and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Peter Dinklage, who also received a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.

The executive producers of GAME OF THRONES are David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger and Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis and George R.R. Martin; producers, Chris Newman and Greg Spence.