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‘Game of Thrones’ may run to eight seasons, says HBO

Someone might want to tell “Game of Thrones” show runners David Benioff and Dan Weiss that HBO programming president Michael Lombardo let the dragon out of the bag: The fantasy drama will last at least eight seasons – despite frequent declarations by its Benioff and Weiss that they were only interested in making seven.

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Speaking of Season 6, rumors and speculation surrounding Jon Snow’s apparent death at the end of Season 5 continue to mount.

Anyone following Game of Thrones well knows that showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss believe the George R.R. Martin-adapted series will run for seven seasons, hoping to tell the complete, unpadded story. “The question is how much beyond the seventh season we’re going to do”. “I think the creators feel like there are maybe two more seasons after 6. As I’ve said before, I’d always love for them to change their minds, but I think that’s what we’re looking at right now”.

Would HBO consider extending the franchise with a prequel series? “It would really depend fully for us on what they wanted to do”. There’s enormous storytelling to be mined in a prequel. “At this point, all the focus is on figuring out the next few years with this show”.

Lombardo also was asked to address the controversy over some graphic content on the show.

“I don’t think any showrunners are more conscious of not stepping over the line, where they feel the line is”.

Of course, the most important question of all was saved for the very end of Lombardo’s executive session. “Yes. Everything I’ve seen, heard or read, Jon Snow is dead”.

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“Here’s what I think, I think Nic Pizzolatto is one of the best writers working in television and motion pictures today”, Lombardo said.

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