Sky’s managing director of content has defended the use of sexual violence in HBO hit fantasy Game of Thrones.
Speaking at a discussion panel at the Edinburgh International Television festival, Gary Davey defended scenes such as that of the rape of Sansa Stark on her wedding night, pointing out that the show’s audience already knows what to expect.
During the discussion, Davey was asked about that particular scene, while also being told that the scene angered many fans who argued that not only was it not part of her original story arc, but it was yet another example of sexual violence being used as character motivation.
Davey replied, "I think that’s nonsense."
"There is also a lot of violence to men", he said. "For anybody who’s watched the show it can be a very violent show, I don’t think the violence against women is particularly highlighted, it is just part of the story."
Sansa Stark, played by Sophie Turner
“The rape happens, it’s part of the story, it was in the books”, he said. The rape of Sansa Stark does not occur in the books, but it does happen to another character.
Davey said that the TV show is now ahead of the books but that author Martin remains involved in the development of plotlines.
“We are now past the books so the story is evolving,” he said.
“We got ahead of the books so we had to write original content and we have done that in conjunction with the original author”
“The [low] complaint level clarifies our audience knows what to expect from Sky Atlantic and a show like Game of Thrones”, he said.
Davey admitted that the sixth and latest season was “pretty intense” but said that Sky had only received three complaints about the show’s often extreme scenes of sex and violence.
“I think it is bit silly, it is not like sex and violence on TV is a new idea,” he said, “in fact, I’m not sure it’s any worse or any better than it’s ever been”.
Game of Thrones season 7 is due back on our screens at a later date next year, with the new season only scheduled to have seven episodes instead of the usual 10
