From Bayonne to Westeros: Staten Island’s Surprising Link to Game of Thrones – Collectors Confessions

From Bayonne to Westeros: Staten Island’s Surprising Link to Game of Thrones

By Chad Farley

Staten Island has long played a role in film and television, whether as a filming location or a visual backdrop. However, few may realize that the borough may also share an imaginative connection to one of the most iconic fantasy worlds ever created—the realm of Game of Thrones.

Author George R. R. Martin, best known for creating the A Song of Ice and Fire series, spent his formative years in nearby Bayonne. From there, he could look across the water toward the lights of Staten Island—a distant, almost otherworldly landscape from a young perspective. That sense of wonder and curiosity is often cited as part of the inspiration behind the expansive and vividly imagined continent of Westeros.

Within the world of Game of Thrones, Westeros stands as one of three known continents, alongside Essos and Sothoryos. Much of Westeros is unified under the Seven Kingdoms, while the far northern regions beyond the Wall are inhabited by the Free Folk. Across the Narrow Sea lie the Free Cities of Essos, and to the south are the Summer Isles—each region contributing to the rich geopolitical tapestry of Martin’s universe.

The North of Westeros, ruled for thousands of years by House Stark from Winterfell, is a land defined by harsh climates, sparse population, and deep-rooted traditions. Its people often follow the Old Gods, though some in areas such as White Harbor adhere to the Faith of the Seven. The region’s identity is so distinct that even surnames reflect it—bastards born in the North are given the name “Snow.”

While it may be a creative stretch to draw a direct line between Staten Island and Westeros, the notion that such a globally celebrated story could be influenced, even in part, by sights from our own region is a compelling one. It offers a reminder that inspiration can come from the most familiar places, transforming them into something legendary.

And while Staten Island may not face the threat of White Walkers, its connection—real or imagined—to one of television’s greatest sagas is certainly something worth appreciating.

Banner Image: Westeros on Staten Island. Image Credit – Collectors Confessions