Courtesy HBO

The night is dark and full of terrors, also sadness. HBO has confirmed that Game of Thrones’ eighth season will be its last.




The network’s programming executive Casey Bloys told Entertainment Weekly at the Television Critics Association’s press tour that HBO is going along with the plan from Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss to end the show after season 8. This isn’t exactly a new announcement, as we’ve known for months that the show would likely last eight seasons, but this is the first time HBO has confirmed it.

“Yes. they have a very specific plan about the number of seasons they want to do,” Bloys told EW. “If I could get them to do more, I would take 10 more seasons. But we take their lead on what they think they can do the best version of the show.”


That doesn’t mean it’s the end of the Game of Thrones-iverse. Bloys expressed interest in a Game of Thrones spinoff show, something A Song of Ice and Fire author George RR Martin himself has supported.



Game of Thrones returns sometime in summer 2017 for season 7, which will get seven episodes. Season 8 could get as few as six. Bloys also confirmed that Game of Thrones likely won’t be up for any Emmy Awards next year, because of season 7's production delays to film in winter. Because, you know, “Winter is Here” and all.

[Entertainment Weekly]

Update: In comments to BuzzFeed, an HBO spokesperson said “Casey did confirm season 8, but didn’t really say for sure that’s the end.” We’ve reached out to the network and will update when we hear back.