As Season 6 comes to a close with an explosive finale airing this Sunday, fans are now looking forward to the premiere of "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7. Unfortunately, there is a long wait before the show returns. Meanwhile, speculations and rumoured spoilers about the plot and airdate are already running rampant. Read on for the details, below.
[Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for potential "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7 premiere. Do not read further if you don't wish to know more about it.]
While it is too early to expect concrete plot details and synopsis for the forthcoming season, it is certain that "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7 is happening. Episode 1 is expected to follow the events of Season 6 finale "The Winds of Winter."
According to Christian Times, George R.R. Martin's final book "The Winds of Winter" in "A Song of Ice and Fire" series will be the basis of "Game of Thrones" Season 7. Not much is known about the storyline as Martin is reportedly still writing the book and it is expected to be released at the end of this year.
Meanwhile, fansite Watchers on the Wall recently confirmed that the show is casting two young characters, a 16-year-old Northern girl and 10-year-oldd Northern boy. The website speculates that these two characters will appear in flashbacks possibly in Season 7. It is also noted that Lyanna Stark was 16 when she died. It is said Bran's flashbacks will continue and will become relevant to the events of Season 7.
In the meantime, kingdoms are currently involved in political battles for power. The kingdoms are expected to encounter the bigger threat, the White Walkers, in the biggest battle of the history of Westeros in the upcoming episodes. And after winning the "Battle of the Bastards," Jon Snow is rumoured to become the King of North, which may lead to the rise of more enemies for Starks.
Further, Arya left Braavos and is expected to return to Westeros and reunite with her siblings in the upcoming episodes. If it does not happen in Season 6 episode 10 "The Winds of Winter," it will definitely happen in "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7.
In addition, Digital Spy confirms that "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7 will see Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion), Lena Headey (Cersei), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime), Natalie Dormer (Margaery), Sophie Turner (Sansa) and Maisie Williams have signed up for new season and will possibly be reprising their roles in the next instalment if their characters survive by the end of "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 6 finale.
So when will "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7 premiere? Considering the previous seasons' schedules, it is speculated that episode 1 will air in March or April 2017. Meanwhile, fans know that only 13 episodes are left for the final two seasons of "Game of Thrones" (GOT). In a recent interview with Variety, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, confirmed that the show will return for Season 7 and 8. However, the final two seasons will be shorter than the previous seasons, with seven episodes for seventh instalment and six for the eighth.
"I think we're down to our final 13 episodes after this season. We're heading into the final lap," said Benioff. "That's the guess, though nothing is yet set in stone, but that's what we're looking at," he added.
Fans must note that HBO is yet to reveal the official airdate for "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7 premiere and episode 1 airdate. So, stay tuned for more updates and spoilers.
[UPDATE]
According to Heavy.com, some parts of "Game of Thrones" (GOT) Season 7 will be filmed in castles of Spain and some battles will take place around these castles. And Brexit will have no impact on the filming of the HBO series as the series was reportedly granted financial support from EU's European Regional Development Fund. Meanwhile, Season 7 is also expected to delve deeper into Daenerys storyline as she attempts to reach Westeros and fight for the throne. More spoilers for the premiere are expected soon.