Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin has promised fans a different take on the story’s ending when he finally completes the series of novels.
The author published a heart-felt thank-you to everyone involved in HBO’s eight season epic after the series finale last night.
He insisted the long-awaited sixth instalment of a Song of Ice and Fire is on the way – with the finale to follow sometime after.
“Winter is coming; I told you, long ago… and so it is,” he wrote.
“The Winds of Winter is very late, I know, I know, but it will be done.
“I won’t say when, I’ve tried that before, only to burn you all and jinx myself… but I will finish it, and then will come A Dream of Spring.”
George R.R. Martin at the Hugo Award Ceremony in Helsinki,11-08-2017.Game over
Responding to widespread speculation over how similar the novels will be to the series he wrote: “Well… yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes. And no. And yes.”
“I am working in a very different medium than [HBO Showrunners] David [Benioff] and Dan [Weiss], never forget,” he said.
“They had six hours for this final season.
“I expect these last two books of mine will fill 3000 manuscript pages between them before I’m done – and if more pages and chapters and scenes are needed, I’ll add them.”
Ice and Fire
He also noted that there are many characters in the novels that never appeared on television – with others whose arc has already taken them in a very different direction, meaning the story will have to take on a different shape at times.
“Book or show, which will be the ‘real’ ending?” he asked.
“It’s a silly question. How many children did Scarlett O’Hara have?
“How about this? I’ll write it. You read it. Then everyone can make up their own mind and argue about it on the internet.”
Game of Thrones
Last night’s finale was the most-watched HBO episode of all time – with 13.6m tuning in live on Sunday night.
With on-demand re-watches the total increased to 19.3m.
The previous HBO record was held by the fourth-season premiere of The Sopranos – which drew 13.43m viewers back in 2002.
Game of Thrones was also crowned the “most-pirated” TV series in the world for several years during previous seasons – and is expected to take home the ‘honour’ again this year.
