Game of Thrones first hit our TV screens back in 2011 and since then has become a worldwide television phenomenon. Viewers have become so invested in the show that it's now overtaken the release of the novels it's based on - that's how serious the situation is!
Although there are many rumours circulating over what to expect, which characters might die and how the plot will develop, the final season of Game of Thrones has already started airing - and is already answering fan questions left, right and centre.
On 14th April 2019, Game of Thrones returned in the US for the eighth and final season, and UK fans were able to watch a day after on the 15th, so we thought we'd run down everything that we know so far about it. Beware - there are many SPOILERS in the article below!
What has happened in Game of Thrones season 8 so far?
A LOT. Check out our Game of Thrones recap to stay up to date on the episodes.
How many episodes make up the final season of Game of Thrones?
It has been confirmed that the final season of Game of Thrones only has six episodes, and HBO have confirmed the running time for each of the episodes.
Episode one: 54 minutes
Episode two: 58 minutes
Episode three: 82 minutes
Episode four: 78 minutes
Episode five: 80 minutes
Episode six: 80 minutes
After the final season, Game of Thrones will have a whopping 73 episodes for us all to binge over and over again.
When will the final season of Game of Thrones air?
The new series began airing in the US on the 14th April. Die hard fans in the UK were able to watch the new season at 2am on Sky Atlantic in the UK on the 15th.
How can I watch Game of Thrones in the UK?
You'll be able to watch Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic - it will air on Mondays at 2am and again at 9pm. It will also be available on NOW TV.
Is there a trailer for Game of Thrones season eight?
There are a few! This one was released in November 2018.
This was released in December 2018.
This was released in January 2019.
And the official trailer was released in March 2019. The two-minute preview is successfully building tension for the final showdown between the living and the dead that’s supposed to blow the Battle of the Bastards (when Jon and Ramsay Bolton fought, Jon nearly died – AGAIN – and Sansa came and saved the day) out of the water.
Daenerys and Jon visited Drogon and Rhaegal, fuelling speculation that it might be time for Jon to ride the dragon named after his father? SHOCK.
We also saw an injured Arya running away in another key shot for the trailer, then she appeared again later on with a dragonglass dagger in her hand. Another revelation? We’ll let you decide for yourselves.
Which characters will feature in the final season of Game of Thrones?
There's no official confirmation on who we will see in the next season, however we are pretty sure we'll get to see the series regulars of Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister return. We also know that we definitely won't see Littlefinger himself Petyr Baelish, as he met a nasty end at the end of season seven.
Which characters will die in the final season of Game of Thrones?
It's the all important question, which characters will make it to the end of the final season? However, it looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer to find out, as HBO's senior VP of drama didn't give away too much at a recent conference.
She said, "It was a really powerful moment in our lives and our careers. None of the cast had received the scripts prior, and one by one they started falling down to their deaths. It was amazing. By the very end, everyone looked down and looked up and tears were in their eyes."
Peter Dinklage, who has played Tyrion Lannister since the show started in 2011, recently opened up about filming his last scenes for the show. He explained how he felt saying "goodbye" to the character he "adored". "I had my last day on set in July, just over two months ago now and it was very sad," the actor explained.
"This is not only a great TV show to be a part of, but it was an enormous family to be a part of," he added. As Peter lives in New York he wasn't able to go home at weekends, so he formed a strong bond with the countries he filmed in, including Ireland.
Game of Thrones then vs now slider with cover pic
1 of 33Take a trip down memory lane to see how the Game of Thrones cast looked then vs. now...
2 of 33Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 1
Kit Harington plays the broody Jon Snow - illegitimate son of Ned Stark... Or so we thought. Kit was 25-years-old when he took on the role of Jon Snow, and despite being from London, was able to do a pretty passable Northern accent.
3 of 33Kit Harington (Jon Snow), Season 8
Now, Kit is 32-years-old and married to former co-star Rose Leslie, who played the wildling Ygritte - his character's former love. Did anyone else's heart actually break when she died? No? Just us? Sob.
4 of 33Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 1
Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's Jaime Lannister was a bit of an arrogant weirdo in the first season - not only was he having an affair with his actual twin sister, but he was just an all-round not nice guy.
5 of 33Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister), Season 8
Fast forward to season 8, and fans are seriously conflicted over Jaime. On the one hand, he's still in a relationship with his twin sister. On the other hand, he seems to be a much better person than he was in season 1... Other than that, he's aged like a fine, fine wine.
6 of 33Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 1
The aforementioned sister of Jaime is an absolute nutcase. In season 1, it seemed as though Cersei was just fiercely determined to stay on the throne and make her father Tywin proud.
7 of 33Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Season 8
However, by the time we got to the penultimate season, Cersei has gone a little more mad than before. Probably on account of being locked in a tower for months on end and tortured, before being forced to walk naked through the streets. She looks so normal in real life!
8 of 33Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 1
Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen began life on the show as a meek young girl at her elder brother's beck and call, when Emilia was 25-years-old.
9 of 33Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen), Season 8
However, after much hardship and a lot of learning - as well as a couple of dragons under her belt - Daenerys is now basically taking on the world as she battles for the Iron Throne.
10 of 33Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 1
Sophie Turner was just 15-years-old when she began starring in Game of Thrones. Her character, Sansa, was quite simply an annoying little girl to begin with, and her obsession with Joffrey was hard to watch.
11 of 33Sophie Turner (Sansa Stark), Season 8
Now 23 - and engaged to none other than Joe Jonas - Sophie has blossomed into a fantastic actress with a lead role in upcoming X-Men films. As Sansa has also been through a pretty rough time, viewers have warmed more to her than before, and she's also a frontrunner in the race for the crown.
12 of 33Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 1
Sophie's younger on-screen sister Maisie has possibly undergone the biggest transformation - but that's not hard when she started life on the set at the age of just 13!
13 of 33Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Season 8
Maisie is now a hugely accomplished actress, and the growth of her character is a testament to how much her skills have come on during her time on the show. Plus, we are loving the pink hair!
14 of 33Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 1
Singer Lily Allen's brother Alfie has starred as Theon Greyjoy throughout the series. Theon started out as a disillusioned member of the Stark family, having been raised by them after a battle with own family saw him accepted as the Stark's ward.
15 of 33Alfie Allen (Theon Greyjoy), Season 8
Although he was an arrogant character, he certainly didn't deserve all the torture that befell him thanks to the twisted Ramsay Bolton, played by Iwan Rheon.
16 of 33Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 1
Isaac was just 12-years-old when he took on the role of Bran Stark, and whose actions acted as a catalyst for the whole upheaval, really. If he hadn't have been climbing up the tower, he wouldn't have seen Cersei and Jaime together - they wouldn't have pushed him and basically, everything wouldn't have kicked off.
17 of 33Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark), Season 8
Now, he's 19, and Bran has become the Three-Eyed Raven, shedding his former identity and taking on the role of the all-seeing, all-knowing being. There are even whispers that he might secretly be the Night King somehow, but that remains to be seen.
18 of 33Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 1
Tyrion started life on the show as a near-alcoholic philanderer with a penchant for visiting brothels. When he was accused of killing his nephew, Joffrey Baratheon, he fled Westeros and was captured by Ser Jorah Mormont.
19 of 33Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Season 8
Then, he was taken to Daenerys Targaryen and vowed to assist her on her quest to reclaim the throne, as her father had been the last true king.
20 of 33John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 1
Samwell Tarly is probably one of the nicest characters on the show, having been taken under the wing of Jon Snow when both boys joined the Night's Watch together.
21 of 33John Bradley (Samwell Tarly), Season 8
Since then, he's fallen in love with Gilly, become adoptive father to her baby and even killed a White Walker - something unheard of in their time.
22 of 33Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 2
Melisandre joined the show in Season 2, played by Dutch actress Carice van Houten. The character started on the show utterly convinced that Stannis Baratheon was meant to be king, but after he was killed she became a bit lost.
23 of 33Carice van Houten (Melisandre), Season 8
She's now joined the side of Daenerys Targaryen, and is helping her in her fight to return her family's name to the throne.
24 of 33Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 1
Former Skins actor Joe plays Gendry the blacksmith in Game of Thrones, the secret son of King Robert Baratheon, who was unfortunately killed in the first season.
25 of 33Joe Dempsie (Gendry), Season 8
Gendry has been avoiding capture since then, especially with the help of Ser Davos Seaworth, and has now joined Team Targaryen.
26 of 33Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 2
Joe's fellow Skins co-star Hannah Murray is also part of the cast, playing Gilly, daughter and wife of the horrible Craster, who thankfully gets killed. She escapes with her son/brother, and befriends Samwell Tarly.
27 of 33Hannah Murray (Gilly), Season 8
Romantic feelings have, of course, developed between Samwell and Gilly, and now they're quite in love and are co-parenting her baby/brother together.
28 of 33Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 2
Gwendoline Christie's character Brienne of Tarth is an absolute icon. Not only does she refuse to be held to anyone else's standards, but she also kicks some serious butt.
29 of 33Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), Season 8
Since her first appearance in Season 2, Brienne has now sworn fealty to Sansa Stark, fallen in love with Jaime Lannister and is also fighting off the advances of wildling Tormund Giantsbane.
30 of 33Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 3
Former Hollyoaks actress Nathalie Emmanuel has been playing the character of Missandei since 2013. Missandei was originally a slave who acted as a translator for her previous owner, Kraznys, before Daenerys freed her and she chose to serve her instead.
31 of 33Nathalie Emmanuel (Missandei), Season 8
Missandei is now Daenerys' most trusted advisor, friend and also a lover of Grey Worm.
32 of 33Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 3
Jacob Anderson plays Grey Worm, captain of the Unsullied army in Game of Thrones, but he also makes music under the name Raleigh Ritchie.
33 of 33Jacob Anderson (Grey Worm), Season 8
Grey Worm initially couldn't speak any other language, both has slowly been learning with the help of his now-lover, Missandei and is completely devoted to working for Daenerys.
Will Jon Snow find out the truth about his parents?
It was revealed in season seven that Jon Snow was not actually Ned Stark’s bastard son and that he is in fact the son of Lyanna Stark - Ned's sister - and Aegon Targaryen - Daenerys' older brother - who married in secret, making Jon a possible heir to the Iron Throne.
Shocking enough right?! BUT WAIT - This also means Daenerys, his new Queen who he’s formed a relationship with, is actually his AUNT. Can we really be that shocked, though? This isn’t the first time they’ve hit us with a bit of incest. Twins Cersei and Jaime got it on in the first episode of season one and had three children together.
Only Bran Stark knew the secret going into season eight – thanks to his Three-Eyes Raven Powers. Technically, Jon has more of a right to the Iron Throne than Dany does, so maybe the incest won’t be their biggest issue.
Is Jon Snow likely to fight for the Iron Throne?
Probably not – Jon doesn’t come across as the power-hungry type. Yeah, he’s fought, and died, and come back to life again, for what he thinks is right. But does he really want the throne? It seems like he just wants a bit of peace and quiet!
But what about Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons? Let’s go with Dany, for short.
She’s also the daughter of the Mad King – does that make her favourite to take the throne? She does have power over dragons, so you can’t get much more powerful than that. She’s fought for peace, freeing slaves throughout her journey and is now heading North to fight the dead and save civilisation. That’s good, right?
One thing’s for sure. With two dragons (previously three, RIP Viserion) she won’t go down without a fight.
Who will end up on the Iron Throne?
It's difficult to say who could be left and who could end up on the Iron Throne in the final season of Game of Thrones, however, there are a few rumours circulating, including Bran Stark, or Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen in a cheesy ending.
Will Cersei Lannister stay on the Iron Throne?
Cersei appointed herself to the Iron Throne when her last remaining child Tommen chucked himself out of a window because his mother blew up his wife and half of King’s Landing. Who could blame him?
She was told by a fortune teller that she would have three children with golden hair and that they’d all die before her. She’s right where she wanted to be, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, but at the expense of her children.
She doesn’t see the White Walkers as a threat and refused to believe they were real until Jon brought her one in a box and it nearly bit her head off. We saw her form a truce with Jon and Dany as they prepare for battle against the Night King – but will she stick to her word?
We think she still reckons she has a chance with her usual army. Maybe she’s in for a big shock if she thinks she can do it all on her own?
Will Jaime Lannister stay loyal to Cersei?
Cersei has told Jaime she’s pregnant with his child (and niece or nephew) which probably isn’t going to end well. Jaime has been through a lot. He lost his hand and his status as Kingslayer. But because of this, he’s taken a step back and realised how messed up his family are. But will he stand by his sister/lover’s side in her hour of need? We hope not.
Sansa Stark on the Iron Throne?
Sansa has definitely had one of the biggest character arc of all the Thrones characters. She started out as a scared young girl and has blossomed into a domineering and formidable leader. She's been through some of the most horrible things on the show and has undergone a relentless tyrant of misery from the second Ned was killed, even when she made it home to Winterfell.
At the end of season seven we saw her reunite with her sister Arya. They teamed up to FINALLY get rid of Little Finger (another one on Arya’s kill list) and they’re sure to cook up an even bigger storm in the final series.
What will Arya Stark do in the final season?
Arya Stark has been out for blood ever since witnessing her father Ned be beheaded in series one – arguably one of the most jaw-dropping scenes in TV history. Was it as shocking as the Red Wedding though? Well, that would be an intense debate.
Since her father’s death, she’s been training ever since and gradually increasing the length of her kill list. Her new skill means she can disguise herself as others and quickly peel off a face to reveal her true identity. She’s full of bitterness and revenge and we CANNOT WAIT to see her bring her badass Faceless Man assassin skills in the final series.
Will Viserion the dragon return to Daenerys?
Our hearts shattered into a million pieces when Dany’s baby Viserion was impaled by the Night King and sunk into the icy lagoon. And we’re pretty sure half of the world screamed when his army of White Walkers dragged it out of the water and had it reborn as an undead ice dragon. WHAT THE HELL?!
It brought down the Wall, the Seven Kingdoms’ northern border, in the final devastating scenes at the end of season seven. So this certainly balances out the war, otherwise Dany would’ve ploughed through the White Walkers straight away. But now, it’s two against one, finally revealing the true reason behind ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ (Fire dragon breath – ice dragon breath – yeah?)
Dany still has two dragons left. She can’t fly both, so the obvious would be Jon Snow (who we now know is a Targaryen and technically should be a natural). There’s also been rumours that it could be Tyrion Lannister, Hand of the Queen to Dany. Who knows?
What is Game of Thrones based on?
Game of Thrones is roughly based on the storylines of A Song of Ice and Fire, a book collection by writer George RR Martin. Set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the continent of Essos, the series chronicles the violent dynastic struggles among the realm’s noble families as they battle for the Iron Throne.
The TV series is named after the first book published in 1996 and starts just how the first episode of the series does, with Ned Stark finding out his friend, and King Robert Baratheon wants him to become the King’s Hand.
Game of Thrones season 8: The documentary
Although fans around the world will be sad that Game of Thrones is coming to an end, with the release of Season 8 in April, it has now been revealed that there will be a two-hour documentary about the series. Due to air just a week after the final episode of the epic TV series, Game of Thrones: The Last Watch, will give fans amazing behind-the-scenes views of the fantastic series.
British filmmaker Jeanie Finlay spent a year on the Game of Thrones set, and will show how the most ambitious season was created. According to HBO, viewers will get to see the cast and crew battling with, 'extreme weather, punishing deadlines and an ever-excited fandom hungry for spoilers.'