The night is dark and full of confirmations that we already pretty much knew, but that up until this point, were not ever confirmed by the network. Game of Thrones‘ eighth season will be its last.
When asked point-blank by a journalist at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour on Saturday, new President of Programming Casey Bloys said that yes, season eight will be the final installment of David Benioff and Dan Weiss’ televised take on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novel series. And while that may not be a surprise to many—Benioff and Weiss have been very vocal about their desire to end the show after season eight—it is the first time a network official has confirmed that we’re at the proverbial, as well as literal, Narrow Sea crossing of the show’s gameplan.
However, all hope is not lost when it comes to Thrones—because it never is; how could it be? With a story as widely populated and deeply entrenched with its own history and world-building as this, the question of a spin-off was not far behind Bloys’ announcement.
“We’ve talked about it; it’s something I’m not opposed to,” explained Bloys, “but of course it has to make sense creatively. I’m not sure that the guys could really wrap their heads around it when they’re just about to start production. … I’m open to it. The guys weren’t opposed to it, but there’s no concrete plans for it at this point.”
Needless to say, we’ll have to savor next season’s seven episodes—and season eight’s still-TBD count—like its one of Sansa’s favorite lemon cakes.
What would you like to get out of a Game of Thrones spin-off? Let us know in the comments below.
Image: HBO
Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor of Nerdist and creator/co-host of Fangirling. Find her on Twitter (if you want, it’s your life).
