HBO CONFIRMS DEBUT DATES FOR HBO FILMS' "GAME CHANGE," RETURNING SERIES "GAME OF THRONES" AND NEW SERIES "GIRLS" AND "VEEP"

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2012 - HBO has confirmed the debut dates for HBO Films' GAME CHANGE, the returning series GAME OF THRONES and the new series GIRLS and VEEP.

GAME CHANGE debuts SATURDAY, MARCH 10 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT). Starring Julianne Moore, Woody Harrelson and Ed Harris, this HBO Films presentation follows John McCain's (Harris) 2008 presidential campaign, from his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (Moore) as his running mate to their ultimate defeat in the general election. Harrelson portrays Steve Schmidt, McCain's senior campaign strategist. Based on the bestselling book of the same name by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, the film is directed by Jay Roach and written by Danny Strong , whose previous collaboration was HBO's Emmy(R)-winning "Recount." A Playtone Production in association with Everyman Pictures; executive producers, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Jay Roach.

GAME OF THRONES kicks off its ten-episode second season SUNDAY, APRIL 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m.). Based on the popular book series "A Song of Ice and Fire," by George R.R. Martin, this hit Emmy(R)-winning fantasy series chronicles an epic struggle for power in a vast and violent fantasy kingdom. Among the returning members of the ensemble cast are Emilia Clarke, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Emmy(R) winner Peter Dinklage, Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey and Kit Harington. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss executive produce.

The new comedy series GIRLS launches its ten-episode season SUNDAY, APRIL 15 (10:30-11:00 p.m.). Created by and starring Lena Dunham ("Tiny Furniture"), the show looks at the assorted humiliations and rare triumphs of a group of girls in their early 20s. Dunham executive produces along with Judd Apatow and Jenni Konner. The cast also includes Jemima Kirke, Allison Williams, Zosia Mamet and Adam Driver.

The new comedy series VEEP begins its eight-episode season SUNDAY, APRIL 22 (10:00-10:30 p.m.). Created by Armando Iannucci (Oscar(R) nominee for co-writing "In the Loop"), the show stars Emmy(R) winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus as former Senator Selina Meyer, who becomes vice president, only to discover the job is nothing like she expected, but everything she was warned about. Tony Hale, Anna Chlumsky, Matt Walsh, Reid Scott, Timothy C. Simons and Sufe Bradshaw also star. Iannucci executive produces along with Frank Rich and Christopher Godsick.