Game of Thrones beats Sopranos to become HBO’s most-watched show

The fantasy drama has achieved record viewing figures of 18.4m

Jack Gleeson as Joffrey Baratheon and Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell (HBO)

Game of Thrones has become HBO’s most popular drama series to date, beating The Sopranos’ viewing figures.

The average Game of Thrones audience increased from 18 million to 18.4 million this week, overtaking the gangster mob drama’s 18.2 million record.

In a tweet from the show’s account, it said: “Raise a glass of Arbor gold. #GameofThrones is the most popular series in @HBO history. Thanks to the worldwide realm for all your support.”

The fantasy drama has increased its ratings by 4 million from season three to season four, with the figures expected to go up further as the series comes to an end, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The figures do not include worldwide audiences, or those that watch the series online, with the total global ratings expected to be much higher overall.

Series four finishes in the UK on Monday 16 June on Sky Atlantic, after its initial broadcast on HBO in the US on Sunday 15 June.

Earlier this week, it was hinted that George RR Martin, author of the Song of Ice and Fire series that Game of Thrones is based on, may write an eight book to his saga.

Martin also said he wished the HBO series had more episodes to tell his stories, but renewed his support of the producers’ decisions to add in new scenes.

Yesterday, the writer promised he would write a fan’s death into a novel if they donated £20,000 to one of his favourite charities.

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