Season six of HBO's "Game of Thrones," premiering next week, may be the last in the show's run with 10 episodes. As a sprawling and epic fantasy drama, "Game of Thrones" has enjoyed 10 hours of storytelling throughout its first six years. But with an end date in mind, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss may opt to scale things back.
The duo admitted to be considering just 13 more episodes following the sixth season, giving seven episodes for season seven and six for season eight.
"I think we're down to our final 13 episodes after this season," Benioff said. "We're heading into the final lap. That's the guess, though nothing is yet set in stone, but that's what we're looking at."
Production on season seven is scheduled to begin this July.
Weiss and Benioff conceded that the challenges of producing 10 episodes in a 12- or 14-month time frame are becoming too difficult.
"It's crossing out of a television schedule into more of a mid-range movie schedule," Weiss said.
HBO president of programming Michael Lombardo said that he's aware of the plan to conclude the season after two more seasons.
"That's my understanding from them right now. Those have been the conversations we've had. Because where these narratives go, it feels like another two years to them."
But even Lombardo admitted that he'd like to see the series continue much longer.
"As a television executive, as a fan, do I wish they said another six years? I do."
Given the grand nature of the story, it seems like "Game of Thrones" could continue with the 10-epsiode structure in order to wrap up all loose ends. But the showrunners may be feeling a bit burned out after six years on television's most ambitious and expensive series.
Really, this plan hurts HBO more than anyone. "Game of Thrones" is their flagship series, with season five reaching as many as 20.2 million viewers per week. It would be in the network's best interest to continue the show as long as possible. But Weiss and Benioff have always maintained a commitment to a firm end date, which appears to be fast approaching.
"Game of Thrones" will return to HBO for a sixth season on Sunday, April 24.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
