‘Game of Thrones’ fans will be both happy and sad to know that the show will likely see a season 8 but that will probably be the end…
For the past couple of seasons of ‘Game of Thrones’ show runner David Benioff and Dan Weiss have often been asked about the possible end date for the popular HBO fantasy drama. Time after time, both answered that the show would likely end after season 7 but nothing was ever set in stone but according to HBO programming president Michael Lombardo, ‘Game of Thrones’ should continue for at least three more years including season 6 in 2016.
“Seven seasons and out has never been the conversation,” Lombardo said on Thursday. “The question is how much beyond seven are we going to do. “(David Benioff and Dan Weiss) are feeling like there’s two more years after six. I would always love for them to change their minds. That’s what we’re looking at right now.”
‘Game of Thrones’ has become HBO’s most watched show in history over the past few seasons, surpassing ‘The Sopranos’ as the biggest series for the premium cable network. The series based on George R.R. Martin’s writing have caught up to the source material provided by the author and with season six, the show will actually surpass the books. Martin is expected to release the sixth book in his series titled ‘The Winds of Winter’ in 2016 with at least one more book to go until he finishes his story. Benioff and Weiss have stated they plan to follow Martin’s story through the end but whether that finishes in seven seasons or eight remains to be seen. From the sound of things, ‘Game of Thrones’ is likely headed for at least eight seasons, which is at least one season longer than originally anticipated. As far as the future goes for ‘Game of Thrones’, HBO is obviously interested in keeping the show on the air considering the monster ratings they receive from the series. Once the original show is wrapped up, Lombardo says HBO would be interested in a ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel as well but he’ll leave that up to Benioff and Weiss to decide if that’s something they’d like to pursue as well.
“I would aloud be open to anything Dan and David want to do,” Lombardo said. “It really would depend fully on what they want to do. I think you’re right, there’s enormous storytelling to be mined in a prequel. We haven’t had any conversations.”
‘Game of Thrones’ season six just got underway in production in Europe with a Spring 2016 debut date on HBO.
