The cast and crew of 'Game of Thrones' pose for a photograph after the show was named the Best Drama Series at 68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. (Photo : Getty Images/Frazer Harrison)
Fans of HBO's "Game of Thrones," rejoice. While the seventh season will not have as many episodes as the others, the eight and final season of the award-winning fantasy series may be a little longer than expected.
In April 2016, it was reported that the series' executive producers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff are thinking about two short-order final seasons for the fantasy drama. In contrast to previous seasons, the seventh season will be shortened to seven episodes and the final season would likely feature only six episodes.
Now, it is starting to look like that plan has changed. During AMC HBO panel at the recent Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour, the network's programming president Casey Bloys said the actual episode count of "Game of Thrones" Season 8 is not yet final.
"The only thing we're working out is how many episodes they [showrunners] want to do," Bloys told TV Line when asked why Season 8 has not been officially announced. "They're still figuring it out because I think they're trying to get a shape of the season."
Bloys admitted he hopes Weiss and Benioff eventually deliver more than six episodes for the final season, adding, "It's all about how many they're comfortable [with], but I'll always take more." Once the exact episode count is ironed out, an official full-season order will follow.
To date, one thing is certain: "Game of Thrones" is finally heading into the final lap. The show's seventh season will soon complete its production and returns to the small screen sometime in mid-summer.
In the upcoming season, viewers can expect an epic battle between Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and a horde of White Walkers, according to Watchers on the Wall. The King of the North will bring a Wight in the Westeros to prove his claims about the White Walkers and the imminent threat they pose to the humanity.
Meanwhile, check out the in-production teaser of "Game of Thrones" Season 7 here:
