Production is already under way onSeason 6of HBO’s hit seriesGame of Thrones, which will be the first season that isn’t based on any ofGeorge R.R. Martin’s books. While fans impatiently wait for the author to complete the last two books in hisA Song of Fire and Iceseries, many have also wondered if the show will run for seven seasons, one for each book, or if it will go even longer, given its massive popularity. During HBO’s TCA press tour presentation, HBO presidentMichael Lombardorevealed that series creators/showrunnersDavid BenioffandD.B. Weissare currently planning to end the show after eight seasons.
“Seven seasons and out was never the case. The question is how much beyond (seven seasons) it will go.DavidandDanare feeling there are two more years afterSeason 6, that’s what we’re looking at right now. We hope that they would change their mind, but that’s how they are feeling now.”
We reported in June thatGame of Thronesis casting 14 new characters forSeason 6, but we haven’t heard about any cast members being added yet, even though production is already under way. It has already been confirmed thatBran Stark(Isaac Hempstead-Wright), who sat out all last season because his story had already caught up with the books, is coming back, along withKristian Nairnas Hodor. When asked about a potentialGame of Thronesprequel series,Michael Lombardorevealed he would be open to anythingDavid BenioffandD.B. Weisswould suggest.
“We would be open to anything (Benioff and Weiss) want to do, there is enormous amount of storytelling in that world. The focus is on figuring out the next season.”
Ever since the show debuted in 2010,Game of Throneshas been no stranger to controversy and criticism, with several vocal groups speaking out against the graphic content shown in the hit series. For instance,Game of Thrones Season 5featured the rape of beloved character Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and a young child burned alive at the stake, just to name a few controversial moments. When asked to address this ongoing criticism,Michael Lombardohad this to say.
“This show has had violence from the first episode. I can’t speak to any single person’s particular taste, but I think the show is phenomenal. It went to 20 million viewers this year, it went up over 1 million viewers from the prior season. The show continues to grow dramatically. There are no two showrunners who are more careful about now overstepping what they think the line is-and everybody has their own line. [What they show] is critical to the storytelling.”
In related news, it was also announced today thatGame of Thrones Season 5will be released on Digital HD on August 31, months before the Blu-ray and DVD arrives on June 24, 2025. The Digital HD release will also include a number of special features such as “An Introduction to Dorne,” “Poisons of Westeros,” “A Day in the Life” and “The Weapons of Dorne.” Normally the Digital HD is released at the same time as the Blu-ray and DVD, just before the new season debuts on HBO.
As for the prequel series, it isn’t known if this is even an ideaDavid BenioffandD.B. Weissare entertaining, but now we know that there is a specific end game in place, even though that certainly may change. Do you think 8 seasons is a long enough run forGame of Thrones? Or do you think it should run for years and years to come? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more onGame of Thronesas production continues.
