The end is nigh.

We've only just adjusted to the news that we have an EPIC wait for the next series of Game Of Thrones: season 7 won't be on our screens until summer of 2017, due to complications in the production and shooting schedule in Northern Ireland, Spain and Iceland. Showrunners have long insisted that the show only have two more seasons left, but now we've gotten official word from HBO that season 8 of the show will in fact be the very last - presumably finishing up some time in 2018. [caption id="attachment_305101" align="aligncenter" width="3000"]

(Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

[/caption] EW reports on an interview with HBO's new programming president Casey Bloys at the Television Critics Association’s press tour in Beverly Hills in which he says:

“Yes, they have a very specific plan about the number of seasons they want to do. Believe me, as the new [programming executive] coming in, if I could get them to do more, I would take 10 more seasons. But we take their lead on what they think they can do the best version of the show.”

There may be some good news for GoT fans, however. Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss have said that eighth and final season will only six episodes, but Bloys says that episode order isn't set in stone and could increase. EW also pressed him on any potential spin-offs for the world's most popular TV show, and he replied:

“We’ve talked about it. It’s something I’m not opposed to, but of course it has to make sense creatively... I’m open to it. The guys weren’t opposed to it, but there’s no concrete plans for it at this point.”

While we wait for new episodes, you can always check out the hilarious blooper reel from season 6,  have a whirl at naming as many characters as you can, or read up on the very, very many theories about what may be to come in the show.