Aside from literary mastermind George R.R. Martin, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff belong to a very exclusive club in that they know how Martin plans to steer Game of Thrones toward its mythic and mighty conclusion.
No spoilers here, of course, and considering how HBO’s adorned political drama has deviated from its source material over the past few seasons – characters dying when they shouldn’t, and the like – expect Weiss and Benioff’s vision to take a slightly different path toward that inevitable ending.
And make no bones about it, the end is coming. HBO may have tabled plans for further seasons, but in a recent interview with Variety, both Weiss and Benioff hinted that Game of Thrones may wrap up as soon as season 8 – a season that could even be slightly shorter than its predecessors.
Reflecting on the imminent season 6, Benioff began by teasing that the creative team believes they are “down to [their] final 13 episodes after this season.” Seemingly heading into the final lap, the executive conceded that “nothing is yet set in stone, but thatâs what weâre looking at.â
If Game of Thrones were to pull into the station after another 13 episodes, that would mean season 7 would comprise seven episodes, while the eight – and seemingly final – season would boast a total of six. Either way, it’ll open up an extended production schedule for HBO which, given how the show continues to one-up its battle sequences and VFX effects work, ought to come in handy once the power struggle over the Iron Throne begins to reach its crescendo.
âThatâs my understanding from them right now, those have been the conversations weâve had. Because where these narratives go, it feels like another two years to them. As a television executive, as a fan, do I wish they said another six years? I do.â
Look for Game of Thrones season 6 to make its bow via HBO on Sunday, April 24.
