Game of Thrones
“Game of Thrones” has officially been renewed for Season 7 just days before its Season 6 premiere. Pictured here are Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Grey Worm (Jacob Anderson). HBO

With just days to go before the Season 6 premiere of HBO’s massively successful hit “Game of Thrones,” the network has just confirmed the inevitable. The show will officially continue for another season following the conclusion of the next 10 episodes.

According to Deadline, “Game of Thrones” has been renewed for Season 7 as well as its other Sunday night companions “Silicon Valley,” which will return for Season 4, and “Veep,” which will return for Season 6. Given the massive acclaim that all three shows have received, it’s not at all surprising that the network wants to move forward with more episodes. Given that George R.R. Martin’s books are expected to cap off at seven installments, people assumed from Season 1 of the fantasy hit that it would go at least that many years.

Sadly, the Season 7 renewal announcement didn’t come with an episode order. While each season of the show is typically 10 hour-long episodes, creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss may not want to continue with that schedule given how much of Martin’s source material they’ve already exhausted.

It was previously reported that the minds behind the show felt like they were reaching the finale sooner than the expected eight seasons.

“I think we’re down to our final 13 episodes after this season. We’re heading into the final lap,” Benioff told Variety. “That’s the guess, though nothing is yet set in stone, but that’s what we’re looking at.”

While it’s not uncommon for the news of an episode order to not come with the announcement of a renewal, it’s certainly given many fans a reason to raise an eyebrow. Is it possible that the next season will be the show’s last? Will they expand it an extra three episodes to close out the story the way that the producers want to? Sadly, only time will tell as we wait for more from HBO on the future of its biggest hit to date.

How would you like the network to wrap up “Game of Thrones”? Comment below or tweet your thoughts on the matter to @TylerMcCarthy.