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The only question surrounding HBO’s renewal of Game Of Thrones was “What took so long?” Following a ratings record-setting Season 2 premiere and excellent Week 2 hold, the fantasy series was just picked up for a third season. “Series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss raised our expectations for the second season – and then surpassed them,” said HBO’s programming president Michael Lombardo. Based on the bestselling fantasy book series by George R.R. Martin, Game Of Thrones launched its second season with 3.9 million viewers tuning for the premiere, a series high and up 74% from GOT‘s series debut. The Season 2 opener has now been seen by a gross audience of 8.3 million viewers and is on track to easily surpass the Season 1 average of 9.3 million viewers. This past Sunday, GOT drew 3.8 million viewers, retaining virtually the entire audience of its second season premiere. No order size has been announced, but the third season will likely once again consist of 10 episodes as the show’s creators have stated that doing more could affect quality. Season 3 is expected to cover half of A Song Of Ice And Fire book series’ third novel, A Storm Of Swords. Season 2 of GOT is executive produced by Benioff, Weiss, Carolyn Strauss and Frank Doelger.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Brilliant news.
About time. But will the season only be 10 episodes? The book is way to long the fit in 10 episodes. 15 maybe or split it and season 4 is part two
@Dustin, the producers have previously said they plan to split book 3 into two seasons.
I have a pretty good idea of where they’ll end season 3. It’s going to be awesome.
It’s a nice day for a red wedding….
Oooh the red wedding. That shit gives me chills.
Benioff and Weiss have already confirmed they will be splitting Book 3 into two seasons.
Yay!
Considering the third book is even better than the second, this show should have some legs. How they resolve books 4 and 5 will be interesting…
Because books 4 & 5 overlap as to time, they’ll probably combine them but tell the story over two seasons (5 and 6, since book 3 will take up seasons 3 and 4). So some parts of book 4 will be in season 6, and some parts of book 5 will be in season 5.
This is getting complicated, which is appropriate for ASoIaF, I guess.
This show could easily go 10 seasons — I could easily see books 6 & 7 taking two seasons each. It just depends if HBO has the wherewithal to permit it, and if GRRM can get the bleepin’ books finished in time.
At a rate of one season per book and as slow as George R.R. Martin writes them, HBO is going to hit a wall pretty soon.
Is Season 2 supposed to finish at the end of the second book?
It’s Wedding Season!!!
That’s mean…
Best series on television. Kudos to all involved.
Blood of my Blood, praise be the Dragon and the memory of Ned Stark. A painful death to king Geoffry and the Lanisters, except the Dwarf! What a series, they should eventuall make a film like Star Trek did and does!!
Yes, Geoffry needs to go– can’t stand him! I haven’t read the books, but I’m worried we’re stuck with him for a very long time.
He’s an imp.
Excellent news… Splitting book 3 into 2 seasons will also buy some time to allow the last two books to be written. It will be interesting to see how they handle books 4 and 5. If book 2 gets 2 seasons, do 4 and 5 also get 2 seasons each? Or maybe 3 seasons between the 2 books? However they work it out, I can’t wait.
Fabulous news! Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does. Epic and awesome! Congrats to everyone involved!
bees
There are aspects of Book 3 already incorporated into season 2. Not much but some.
Season 3 will be primarily half of book 3 with aspects of book 4.
Season 4 2nd half book 3 with aspects of book 4
Season 5 primarily book 4 with aspects of book 5
I think we can get an 8 season show when all is said and done.
What took so long. Great show
BEST.SHOW.EVER
Nice to see HBO producing worthy shows again… for a while there Showtime stole their heat.
Aidan Gillen is amazing. I hope we get to see more of him!
Awesome hope hbo will fulfill all the books
that is if the author martin indeed finishes the fab fantasy he created
Absolutely love the show
I just need to read 6&7 of this series I c’ant wait!!!