Similar to the fates of its many characters, the emotions of fans of HBO's hit series "Game of Thrones" and author George R.R. Martin's book series "A Song of Ice and Fire" are constantly being pulled up and down.
Martin originally announced earlier this year that the planned sixth novel in his series, "The Winds of Winter," will not be hitting book shelves this year. This caused an uproar from loyal fans who now expect the TV series to surpass the books in narrative timeline. That fear was only reinforced by recent statements made by Martin and "Thrones" star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
"No one is safe in the TV series," Martin said as he explained that some characters that are still alive in the books will be killed off in the show.
"All the details, the showrunners are going to have to come up with themselves," Coster-Waldau said. "It's going to be interesting because I think the show is going to be finished before the last book comes out. There'll be quite a big difference when it does."
The Kingslayer actor may have fanned the flames of fan discontent with that comment, but he also offered an unconfirmed modicum of hope.
"The show bosses know as much as George R.R. Martin knows about the story," Coster-Waldau said. "He [Martin] hasn't written the books, but he knows how he wants it to end. Well, I think he's written one of them now. I don't know when it comes out, but I'd assume soon."
If what Coster-Waldau said is true, it's possible that Martin could release "The Winds of Winter" sometime in the near future. That would help ease the concerns of fans who are worried that the show will pass the books. However, it still appears as if the two storylines will differ in some significant ways.
Season five of "Game of Thrones" will premiere on April 12.
