The world’s first Game Of Thrones studio tour could help tourism in Northern Ireland win the battle with COVID.

Based in Banbridge, County Down – between Belfast and Dublin – the £40m visitor attraction opens to the public this week.

The fantasy drama became a global phenomenon and put Northern Ireland on the map as a film and screen location.

Natalia Tena, who played the wilding Osha, was among former cast members who returned to help launch the interactive experience.

She said: “When I got in last night, I kind of nearly cried.

“I felt really nostalgic landing into Belfast, coming out of the airport.

“It was just such a big part of my life coming here and working on the show.”

Daniel Portman, who starred as Podrick Payne, said: “It was a nice thing to be part of, to have so many people around the world fanatical about the show and supporting your every move.

“It’s a rarity, you don’t often get that in TV shows.”

Game Of Thrones contributed £250m to the local economy and accounted for one in six tourists before the pandemic.

Belfast’s Ian Beattie, who played Ser Meryn Trant, described the show as “the gift that keeps on giving.”

“HBO was the best thing that ever happened to this province,” he said. “When this pandemic finally ends, this is going to be such an incredible attraction for the fans.”

Economy and tourism minister Gordon Lyons said: “The film and screen industry is hugely important in Northern Ireland.

“This has the potential to become the number one tourist attraction in Northern Ireland, but not only will they come here, they’ll see everything else that we have to offer in Northern Ireland as well.”

With Boris Johnson fighting his own political battle, Ian Beattie didn’t think he would fare well in Game Of Thrones.

“I’d say the dragons would get him pretty quickly,” he joked.

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