Game Of Thrones To End After Season 8, Says HBO Exec

Game of Thrones, as rumors have suggested, will end its run on HBO after eight seasons, according to a network executive.

GOT Ending After Season 8

Casey Bloys, HBO’s new programming president, finally confirmed that Game of Thrones will air just two more seasons on the network during an appearance the Television Critics Association summer press tour over the weekend. When asked if Game of Thrones showrunners’ David Benioff and Dan Weiss had decided on finishing the series in 8 seasons, Bloys admitted that the rumors were true – but that he wishes they weren’t.

“Yes, they have a very specific plan about the number of seasons they want to do,” Bloys said at TCA Saturday. “Believe me, as the new [programming executive] coming it, if I could get them to do more, I would take 10 more seasons. But we take their lead on what they think they can do the best version of the show.”

One way to stretch out the success of Game of Thrones would be to do a spinoff, which is an idea that Bloys is seriously considering.

“We’ve talked about it. It’s something I’m not opposed to, but of course it has to make sense creatively,” Bloys said. “I’m not sure that [Benioff and Weiss] could really wrap their heads around it when they’re just about to start production [on season 7]. It’s a pretty intense production, they’re about to start production soon. I’m open to it. The guys weren’t opposed to it, but there’s no concrete plans for it at this point.”

As for season 7, it will be premiering on HBO later than past seasons of Game of Thrones, which typically airs its first episodes sometime in April. With the delayed release, the show, which is nominated for a number of Emmys for its sixth season, would be out of Emmy contention next year. Bloys is unbothered by that.

“[Awards] are not our main goal. The main goals is to do the best show for our subscribers and fans,” said Bloys, adding, “Even if we took Thrones Emmys away this year, we’d still have more than anyone else.”