'Game of Thrones' is picked up for fifth and sixth seasons
'Game of Thrones' returned for a fourth season on April 6.
'Game of Thrones' stars Natalie Dormer (l.) and Diana Rigg (r.).
Macall B. Polay/HBO/AP
The hit HBO fantasy drama “Game of Thrones” has been renewed for both a fifth and sixth season.
The renewal announcement comes after the fourth season of “Thrones” premiered on April 6. The fourth season premiere episode was the highest-rated installment of “Thrones” ever, according to Deadline. The episode was also the most-watched HBO episode since the “Sopranos” finale.
“Game Of Thrones is a phenomenon like no other,” HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said of the renewal in a statement. “[Creators] David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with their talented collaborators, continue to surpass themselves, and we look forward to more of their dazzling storytelling.”
Just how long “Thrones” will run has been the topic of debate lately, as “Thrones” author George R.R. Martin is still working on the sixth book of what will reportedly be a seven-part series. The fourth season currently covers the events of Martin’s third book.
In a recent interview, Benioff and Weiss said they wanted the show to run for seven seasons, while Martin suggested they finish the show off with a film.