For as long as Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and Dan Weiss have discussed the final two seasons, the suggestion has been seven episodes for Season 7, and six episodes for Season 8. That final year doesn’t yet have an official renewal, which may yet lead to an increased episode order for the final Game of Thrones.

Granted, Benioff and Weiss have been up front about the flexibility of those final six episodes, HBO boss Casey Bloys tells TVLine that the final number is actually holding up a Season 8 renewal. Benioff and Weiss are actively assembling an outline of the final year, which may end up expanding their initial six-episode vision:

The only thing we’re working out is how many episodes they want to do … They’re still figuring it out because I think they’re trying to get a shape of the season. They always do what they think [will yield] the best version of the show. It’s all about how many they’re comfortable [with]. But I’ll always take more.

Even then, it’s entirely possible that certain episodes will end up running long, as they do every season, with particular likelihood of the series finale being given an ample run-time to send off the world of Westeros. As Bloys states above, HBO wants the series to remain among his lineup for as long as possible.

Elsewhere of Game of Thrones Season 7, a list of directors for the year has been announced along with rumors of some major set pieces and battles, while at least a portion of filming will take place in Iceland. Harry Potter star Jim Broadbent has been confirmed for a “significant” role, along with UFC star Conor McGregor, while several notable returns have likely been revealed, and one recast.

We’ll likely hear more of Game of Thrones Season 7 in the coming weeks, but will Season 8 end up being six episodes regardless?

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