Game of Thrones Season 8 has not yet been formally confirmed. At the Television Critics Association panels this weekend, HBO programming president Casey Bloys explained that the hold up is over the number of episodes.
"The only thing we’re working out is how many episodes they want to do…[Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss are] still figuring it out because I think they’re trying to get a shape of the season. They always do what they think [will yield] the best version of the show. It’s all about how many they’re comfortable [with]. But I’ll always take more."
Game of Thrones Season 7 will consist of seven episodes. Previously, word was that Season 8 would consist of only six, but Bloys “hopes” Benioff and Weiss deliver more.
This is huge news. As we previously reported, actor Iain Glen (Jorah Mormont) said the show has “15 more hours” to go, even though common sense would suggest 13. (Seven episodes for Season 7 and six for Season 8 equals 13 altogether). Perhaps this explains the discrepancy?
Of course, HBO will want more than six episodes, and may even be quietly pushing for it. Originally, Benioff and Weiss contemplated a total of seven seasons, but wavered when it became obvious they needed more than ten episodes to finish the story. We’ll have to see what the outcome is, but it sounds like once the number of episodes is ironed out (Six episodes? Seven? Eight?), HBO will formally announce the renewal rather than waiting until Season 7 begins to air.
h/t TV Line