This year, HBO is doing something a little different with the digital release of the latest season of Game of Thrones. Before, the network had always released the season digitally alongside the DVD/Blu-ray set, but this year it’s releasing them separately. Season 5 will be available to download on Digital HD on August 31, less than two weeks from now. The DVD/Blu-ray release will be available on March 15, 2016.
As the digital release date approaches, HBO has put out a statement detailing the special features that will be included. Check them out:
- Introduction to Dorne – Visit the kingdom of Dorne in this special that delves inside the impressive realm and its many colorful characters, including Prince Doran Martell (Alexander Siddig) and the fiery Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma) and her venomous Sand Snakes (Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers and Jessica Henwick).
- Poisons of Westeros – Explore the devious methods of poisoning seen throughout Game of Thrones in this featurette.
- Invitation to the Set – Visit the set of Game of Thrones for this intriguing preview.
- A Day in the Life – Glimpse the epic scale of Game of Thrones in this featurette that spends one day touring various Season 5 sets in Croatia, Spain and Ireland. See cast members preparing to shoot scenes while prominent members of the show’s massive crew talk about the many jobs they must oversee—sets and costumes, hair and makeup, and much more—to keep the production operating smoothly.
- Set Design – Production designer Deborah Riley reveals the thought process behind the impressive sets used to create the territory of Dorne in Season 5.
- The Weapons of Dorne – Game of Thrones weapons master Tommy Dunne takes a close-up look at the razor-sharp armaments he created for the Sand Snakes and other inhabitants of Dorne in this featurette.
- New Characters & Locations – Take a tour of the new locations in Season 5 and meet some of the new players in this featurette. Included are visits to the sets of Dorne and the House of Black and White as well as introductions to Doran Martell, the Sand Snakes, the High Sparrow, and more.
- Season 4 Recap – Revisit every twist and turn from the thrilling fourth season.
- Trailer – Whet your appetite for Season 5 with this exhilarating glimpse at things to come.
Per the statement, the Introduction to Dorne and the Poisons of Westeros features have never been seen before and will be available exclusively on the Digital HD release.