'Game of Thrones' Season 8 Officially Six Episodes, Says HBO

HBO bosses never hoped to settle a final Game of Thrones season at fewer episodes than the seventh, but it seems those five new spinoffs loosened their grip. Reports confirm that Game of Thrones Season 8 has officially firmed up its episode order, and The Long Night might be shorter than you think.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Game of Thrones’ eighth and final season has officially set a six-episode order, one less than the seven episodes that make up Season 7. For the moment, it remains unclear if Game of Thrones Season 8 will premiere in the same summer window as its predecessor, or if HBO intends the final episodes for 2018 at all.

It was back in April of 2016 that showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss first suggested a final thirteen episodes between Seasons 7 and 8, though HBO brass were hoping for more. The two executive producers also reiterated at SXSW that they were only looking for only six more episodes to close out the series.

Elsewhere of Game of Thrones Season 7, now set for a July 16 premiere, a list of directors for the year has been announced along with rumors of some major set pieces and battles, and airplane-sized dragons. Harry Potter star Jim Broadbent gave us surprising details of his “significant” role, while several notable returns have likely been revealed, along with unexpected MLB and musical cameos, and one recast.