With speculations claiming that "Game of Thrones' is set to last for only seven seasons, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo has confirmed that the hit fantasy drama series is expected to continue for at least eight seasons.
"Seven-seasons-and-out has never been the [internal] conversation," he explained to the media at the Television Critics Association's press tour last Thursday, July 30.
"The question [now] is: How much beyond seven are we going to do? Obviously we're shooting six now, hopefully discussing seven," Lombardo added. "Benioff and Weiss feel like there's two more years after six. I would always love for them to change their minds, but that's what we're looking at right now."
"Game of Thrones' fans have already taken to Twitter to share their sentiments on the planned number of seasons, many of whom have expressed how happy they are that the award-winning program will not push through for many more years and is likely to reveal key details in a span of eight seasons, at least.
"I think that is perfect, glad it wasn't something like twelve seasons," one user wrote while another one tweeted, "'Game of Thrones' will have at least another three seasons. What a great time to be alive."
Stretching out the TV adaptation might become also become more challenging due to the fact that the series has already caught up with the novels by George R.R. Martin. Because it will seem more difficult to rely on the reference material, the idea of a prequel series could possibly be considered in the future.
"I would be open to anything that Dan and David wanted to do − about Game of Thrones, or any subject matter," Lombardo said. "It really would depend fully on what they wanted to do.
Although there have been no discussions for a prequel, Lombardo agreed that it would be useful to shed light on numerous details and key events in the books.
"I think you're right, there's enormous storytelling to be mined in a prequel, if George and Dan and David decide they want to tackle that. At this point, all the focus is on the next few years of the show. We haven't had any conversations about that at this point," he admitted.
Meanwhile, "Game of Thrones' has already bagged an impressive number of Emmy nominations this year as the fantasy drama series leads the competition with a total of 24 nods, bringing HBO a total number of 126 nominations- the highest number for any network this 2015.
Emilia Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen and has earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama along with co-star Lena Headey aka Cersei Lannister, has opened up about what fans can look forward to in "Game of Thrones' season six.
"It's just go, go, go, go," the 28-year-old actress said in an interview with LA Times. "Shocking moment to shocking moment. Epic moment to epic moment. It's mental; it's epic. And definitely Dany's a part of it."
"Game of Thrones' season six is set to make its premiere in spring 2016 on HBO; an official date is yet to be announced.
