Game of Thrones producer Frank Doelger spoke with RadioTimes at the BAFTAs, where Thrones took home the Audience Award, and had an interesting quote about how long he expects the show to last.

Speaking backstage at the Baftas – where Game of Thrones was also nominated in the International category – Doelger said: “[The number of series] is being discussed as we speak. The third season was the first half of book three, season four will be the second part of book three. George RR Martin has written books four and five; six and seven are pending. “I would hope that, if we all survive, and if the audience stays with us we’ll probably get through to seven seasons.”

Winter Is Coming: Seven seasons? That seems at least one season shorter than I expected. And really, unless they plan on making some pretty major cuts from A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons, I think that nine seasons would be necessary. Either Doelger is being very conservative here (under-promise and over-deliver) or there are going to be some major changes coming after season 4.