Game of Thrones producers respond to backlash over new HBO drama Confederate
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss said they were surprised there had been "outrage" at such an early stage
Game of Thrones producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have responded to the backlash against their new HBO series Confederate.
The new show an alternative history drama imagining what would happen if the southern states won the US civil war against the Unionists and slavery remained legal, was branded "tone deaf" by fans when it was first announced.
However, the showrunners have now hit back at the criticism, citing it as "premature".
"This is scary, for all of us. It’s scary for different reasons," said Benioff. "But it is a pretty terrifying prospect getting into it. We knew it would be, and now it’s come true."
Speaking to Vulture, the producers defended the project in light of the fact that scripts have not even been written yet.
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"Everything is brand new and nothing’s been written," said Weiss. "I guess that’s what was a little bit surprising about some of the outrage. It’s just a little premature. You know, we might f**k it up. But we haven’t yet."
Fellow producer Nichelle Tramble Spellman added: "I wish their concern had been reserved to the night of the premiere, on HBO, on a Sunday night, when they watched and then they made a decision after they watched an hour of television as to whether or not we succeeded in what we set out to do."
Meanwhile Malcolm Spellman added: "You cannot litigate this on Twitter. It’s not possible."
