As fresh video surfaces of stunt performer Andy Pilgrim’s on-set injury during Game of Thrones, HBO defends its safety standards, even as legal parallels emerge with the $9.6M Casey Michaels case.
HBO is once again under fire over its stunt safety protocols on the Game of Thrones franchise, following the emergence of a new video showing a serious injury sustained by stuntman Andy Pilgrim during filming of the show’s fifth season. The footage, obtained by Deadline, shows the moment Pilgrim fractured his ankle in 2014 during a scene for the “Hardhome” episode. The injury led to a legal battle that ended with a reported £500,000 ($686,000) settlement, echoing a separate high-profile case involving stuntwoman Casey Michaels, who received a $9.6 million payout in 2023.
A Pattern of Pain: Second Major Stunt Injury Surfaces
The 30-second clip reveals a wall collapsing in what appears to be an uncontrolled fall, causing Pilgrim’s injury during a chaotic action sequence portraying the Night King’s undead army. Originally rehearsed using a crane-controlled descent, the stunt was allegedly altered for the actual shoot. In a subsequent lawsuit, Pilgrim alleged this last-minute change—where the wall instead dropped freely—was made without adequate safety reassessment, leading to his injury.
The cable wires intended to manage the fall appeared slack in the video, with more stunt performers positioned higher on the wall compared to the initial rehearsal. A screenshot from the incident shows Pilgrim lying injured on the set, a moment now circulating in the stunt community.
Legal Fallout and HBO’s Response
Filed in 2019, Pilgrim’s court complaint mirrored concerns raised by Casey Michaels, who suffered a career-ending ankle injury during the show’s final season in 2018. Both stunts were designed by veteran stunt coordinator Rowley Irlam, who remains employed by HBO and currently works on House of the Dragon.
While HBO’s subsidiary, Fire & Blood Productions, admitted in court filings that the stunt was altered, it blamed Pilgrim for not executing what they called a “straightforward” maneuver. HBO emphasized that accidents are an occupational hazard in stunt work.
Industry Silence and Whistleblowers
Insiders have described a culture in the stunt industry where injuries are often minimized or left unreported, fearing blacklisting or retaliation. Pilgrim, who continued working on Game of Thrones post-injury, has not spoken publicly, but his case adds to growing concerns about transparency and accountability in high-budget productions.
In an effort to raise awareness, Casey Michaels’ father, Wayne Michaels—a renowned stuntman himself—shared the video with Deadline, citing “systemic failings” and repeated patterns of negligence.
HBO and Irlam Push Back
In a formal statement, Rowley Irlam defended his record, noting that out of 150+ productions over two decades, only two major injuries occurred under his watch. He said, “We put great care into designing stunt sequences with safety as the top priority. The unfortunate incident involving Mr. Pilgrim took place 11 years ago and was resolved with no findings of fault against me.”
An HBO spokesperson added: “We take these matters very seriously. Mr. Irlam is a respected stunt coordinator, and we are confident in his continued ability to uphold the highest safety standards.”
Oversight Gaps and Regulatory Concerns
The Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland (HSENI) confirmed that no formal investigation was launched into Pilgrim’s injury. While HBO insists that a 2018 report concerning Casey Michaels’ injury was filed, HSENI claims it has no record of the incident.
Both incidents raise questions about compliance with UK safety regulations and whether all serious injuries are being appropriately reported.
Closing Reflections: “A Disturbing Pattern”
Wayne Michaels summed up the situation by saying:
“One can see a disturbing pattern of behavior and repeated systemic failings that would not be tolerated in any other industry.”
As Game of Thrones continues to expand through prequels and spin-offs, calls for greater accountability and transparency around stunt safety are growing louder. What remains to be seen is whether the industry will reform or continue treating high-risk stunts as acceptable casualties in the pursuit of cinematic spectacle.