Game of Thrones

We’re just two weeks from Game of Thrones Season 7 treating us to the longest episodes yet, though the future remains as uncertain as ever. Even less episodes will populate the eighth and final season, and according to those involved, the run-times may get even longer.

Ed Sheeran casually talks about his forthcoming 'Games of Thrones' cameo.

We were all especially hungry for Game of Thrones after its spring delay, and doubly-so by the time HBO released the Season 7 trailer. So much so, in fact, that this week’s Season 7 footage racked up 61 million views in a day, believed to break TV’s record.

We’ve at least thirteen more Game of Thrones episodes in the tank, to say nothing of George R.R. Martin finally finishing the real story in print, but darn it all, if HBO was going to let Westeros get away. Reports confirm at least four spinoff possibilities in the works, with Kong: Skull Island and Kingsman writers competing.

Game of Thrones may have fewer episodes to premiere in Season 7, but there’s always room for a musical cameo. This time out, minstrel Ed Sheeran will sing Westeros a song, as the “Shape of You” singer now reveals the circumstance and scene partner of his appearance.

Game of Thrones Season 7 has us deeper in the dark than ever, but there may yet be corners of George R.R. Martin’s books to explore. Sherlock star Mark Gatiss confirms that Braavos’ Iron Bank-er Tycho Nestoris will have a role in Season 7, and possibly beyond.

Yesterday brought the very first teaser for Game of Thrones Season 7, which was especially exciting after HBO forced us to watch a block of ice melt for an hour. It featured Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), and Cersei (Lena Headey) all making their way towards their respective thrones. It was an awesome little tease, but the music in the trailer? Not the greatest.

Game of Thrones understandably has to build hype year after year, especially when a penultimate season keeps fans waiting later than usual. Bless their hearts, HBO even tried to make Season 7’s premiere reveal special with a giant block of ice, though star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau says producers found the failed stunt “embarrassing.”

What Game of Thrones Season 7 apparently lost in a UFC fighter it gained in a New York Mets pitcher, but don’t worry about Season 7 forgoing the traditional cameo from the music world. Ed Sheeran will put in a likely-covert appearance with the penultimate season, to Maisie Williams’ delight.

No one necessarily bat an eye at filming on the first season of Stranger Things, but the Netflix thriller’s overnight success meant Season 2 would have great deal more eyes on it. So it was, that creators turned to the Game of Thrones spoiler experts for advice on keeping Season 2 under wraps.

Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin wouldn’t dare confirm The Winds of Winter to be published in 2017, but fans of the Song of Ice and Fire franchise will nonetheless get a new corner of Westeros to explore in print. Martin confirms that previously-unread short “The Sons of the Dragon” will see the light of day in a new 2017 fantasy anthology.

Game of Thrones will return later in the year than we’re used to in 2017, but HBO isn’t about to let you forget about the series after six years. Before December finally brings the winter of 2017 upon us, HBO will marathon all six seasons of Game of Thrones in one dragon-sized catchup.

Peak TV grows ever-more crowded in 2016, with hundreds of series competing from Westeros to Westworld, the streets of Harlem, underwater factories and everywhere in between. Join ScreenCrush TV critic Kevin Fitzpatrick to cut through all the clutter, and rank the very Best TV Shows of 2016!

If Game of Thrones Season 6 made one notable course-correction, it might have been the sideline of Dorne stories after their meandering focus in Season 5. Still, Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes will be backing Daenerys in Season 7, and they may yet end up in a surprising role.

TV twists that had us shook in 2016, from "hold the door!" to the Gilmore Girls' last four words — plus, vote for your pick.

As if the ability to watch Netflix offline weren’t enough, soon all your streaming options will change the way you watch TV. Amazon seems to be keeping plenty competitive as well, now adding the option to include HBO or Cinemax to its Prime subscription, albeit for a price.