HBO president Casey Bloys responded to the backlash against their recently-announced series, Confederate, from the showrunners of Game of Thrones. He spoke about it Wednesday at the Television Critics Association press tour.

Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The show’s description they listed in the initial press release read, ” It chronicles the events leading to the Third American Civil War. The series takes place in an alternate timeline, where the southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution. The story follows a broad swath of characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Demilitarized Zone — freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists, journalists, the executives of a slave-holding conglomerate and the families of people in their thrall.”

Bloys admitted that the press released was “misguided,” and that the announcement of the show could have been handled better. “I think we could’ve done a better job with the press rollout,” he said. “If I had to do it over again, what I would do to introduce the idea is what we ended up doing after the fact with the four producers, which is to have them sit with journalists.” he said. 

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But, we’re sure the backlash still probably would have hit the same.

However, he suggests all of the aftermath is worth it. He said, “The bet for us is on our talent. We have a long history at HBO of betting on our talent, and we’re going to stand behind them. These four writers are at the top of their game. They could do anything they want. But this is what they feel passionately about, so I’m going to bet on that. They feel — and I support them. It’s a risk worth taking.”

Talk about a double down. Will Confederate still be a Game of Thrones-sized hit? Comment below.

H/T: The Wrap