“Game of Thrones” is not coming to an end yet, not until HBO brings the Emmy-winning fantasy hit back for a 7th and 8th season.
During the network’s Television Critics Association press tour party in Pasadena on Thursday night (7th January), HBO programming president Michael Lombardo told several reporters that the network is already discussing with showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss about giving it a double season renewal.
The renewal would mark the 2nd time that the series was given a 2-season renewal. The network previously renewed it for seasons 5 and 6 in 2014.
HBO is expected to make an official announcement about the double season renewal soon. It’s unclear when the series will end, but Benioff and Weiss frequently stated that they hope that the show will end conclude after the 7th season.
Lombardo also previously predicted that it will likely end after its 8th season.
According to EW, the show is not expected to split its 7th season across 2 years as the move will likely involve new deals for the cast.
Back in 2014, the principal cast members were only signed through 6 seasons of the show. In exchange for agreeing to a 7th season option, they received hefty pay raises from HBO for seasons 5, 6 and the potential season 7.
“Game of Thrones” is based on George R.R. Martin’s best-selling book series “A Song of Ice and Fire”.
Earlier on Saturday (2nd January 2016), the author took to his blog to reveal that the 6th book in the series, “The Winds of Winter”, will not be finished before the show returns for season 6. Thus, the 6th season of “Game of Thrones” will be the show’s first to surpass the storylines in Martin’s books.
“Game of Thrones” Season 6 is set to premiere on 24th April 2016.
Sources: EW, Variety, THR (1) (2).
