[Book spoilers]: GoT producer expects at least 7 seasons

[Werthead]

GoT producer Frank Vogler has said that the show will likely last for a minimum of seven seasons.

There are a lot of people out there who will be pleased to hear Game of Thrones producer Frank Vogler predicting four more seasons of the series based on the epic books by George RR Martin…

Speaking backstage at the Baftas – where Game of Thrones was also nominated in the International category – Vogler said: "[The number of series] is being discussed as we speak. The third season was the first half of book three, season four will be the second part of book three. George RR Martin has written books four and five; six and seven are pending.

"I would hope that, if we all survive, and if the audience stays with us we’ll probably get through to seven seasons."

Series three of Game of Thrones is currently airing on both sides of the Atlantic, having just reached its mid-point. But if producers and fans get their way, it seems this epic story isn't even halfway through being told...

Interesting, as seven has always been seen as the rock-bottom minimum length of the series, only likely to happen if the show was a middling success. Dan and Dave have said they envisage 80-90 episodes, taking us to 8 or 9 seasons. Whilst Vogler may have been deliberately lowballing things in case the show's popularity tanks, it's still a bit odd he'd say something different to what the producers have. It's also notable that he notes that ASoS has been split over two seasons, which should mean that, even if it doesn't happen again, the show should last for a minimum of eight seasons, but he still says seven.

[Joyful Union]

t's also notable that he notes that ASoS has been split over two seasons, which should mean that, even if it doesn't happen again, the show should last for a minimum of eight seasons, but he still says seven.

Seems like they're pretty much going to condense Ff and DwD into one season in that case.

[pytri993]

I don't think they'll manage to condense AFFC and ADWD in one season, unless they plan to have a cliffhanger every 5 minutes, which obviously would lead to "too many cliffhangers=no cliffhanger"

[Nick_Scryer]

A single season condensed version of AFFC/ADWD would be incredible.

[Ran]

I'm guessing they mean Frank Doelger.

[ebevan91]

A single season condensed version of AFFC/ADWD would be incredible.

Maybe a season and a half if they manage to "start" AFfC/ADwD around the episode 5 or 6 point of next season.

[Werthead]

I'm guessing they mean Frank Doelger.

Hah. I'd just assumed it was one of the many 'other producers' the show has when I didn't recognise the name. Good catch.

[DragonsHungry]

A single season condensed version of AFFC/ADWD would be incredible.

I agree. It will have to happen, the endless travelogues are TV unwatchable, the plot drags, not to mention too many new characters and locations.

I am guessing many of the Dornish and Ironborn events will be trimmed and instead the focus is on the already established characters.

Meaning at that pace, WoW stuff on TV by 2015.

[DaveSumm]

Ugh. This has always been a strong possibility - that the show would neither last as long as the books need it to, nor get cancelled out of the blue. I still maintain I will stop watching if they start to overtake, even if the TV show is completely different. It'll spoil my expectations of the book regardless of how faithful it is - instead of thinking "wow, that character died!" I'll be thinking "oh, GRRM did/didn't go with the same story as the show". And besides, however different they claim it is, it's hard to see how they could completely change the main characters fate (Jon and Dany particularly) without some inspiration from what GRRM has told them.

[MarieAntoinette]

I think that seven seasons is an realistic estimate. Maybe 8 would be possible, but I don't see GOT lasting for 9 seasons, especially with longer breaks between them.

[Lord Bronn of Sunspear]

8 sounds right.

Like mentioned above, FFC and DWD will likely be mergered, but with that much content, itll take 2 seasons at least.

Theyll do this because you cant have a season without 2 of the most popular characters ( tyrion and dany).

10 episodes of Cersei shannaigans would make the ratings drop. IMO

[kiasyd]

Wait... if that's the case, and assuming one season per year, wouldn't the last season be aired before the last book? It would be weird at least.

[DragonsHungry]

Wait... if that's the case, and assuming one season per year, wouldn't the last season be aired before the last book? It would be weird at least.

It is certainly going to happen with ADOS. It is likely WoW material might start appearing in the show before the book, if GRRM goes on the same pace and timeframe between releases.

[kiasyd]

It is certainly going to happen with ADOS. It is likely WoW material might start appearing in the show before the book, if GRRM goes on the same pace and timeframe between releases.

Not good... It would be detrimental to the readers experience. :bang:

[Garlan Marius]

Season 4 will eat up a chunk of material from Feast and Dance. It ought to be a wake-up call for GRRM to get writing more quickly. Season 5 will necessitate some WoW stuff. I mean, this seems likely to me:

S4:

Arya - Travel with the Hound till his death, get on the boat to Braavos

Sansa - Escape from the PW, stuff in the Vale till "Only Cat"

Bran - Realistically, he'll get to Bloodraven.

Jon - Battle at Castle Black, Battle at the Wall, Lord Commander vote.

Tyrion - Red Viper, Purple Wedding, Trial, Tywin.

Dany - Battle of Meereen, Jorah's exile, beginning of queendom.

Sam - Scheming for Jon's election

Stannis - Off to the Wall, dealing with Jon, Sam, et al.

Jaime - Everything he does in King's Landing

Cersei - Some bumbling around as a terrible regent

Theon - Reek identity, Moat Cailin stuff.

Ironborn - Kingsmoot

Dorne - Arianne's plot, Doran's "vengeance, justice, fire and blood"

S5:

Arya - Her assassin training in Braavos. All of it.

Sansa - Her Feast stuff, and whatever comes next in WOW

Bran - Whatever he does in WOW

Jon - Lord Commandering until his death.

Tyrion - His entire travels from Dance. Introduction of Aegon/ JonCon.

Dany - Hizdahr, fight pits, escape with Drogon

Sam - Everything in Braavos, getting to Oldtown.

Stannis - Deepwood Motte/ Yara capture, getting to Winterfell (possibly the battle of Winterfell)

Jaime - Riverlands travels to Brienne capturing him

Brienne - Sansa search through Stoneheart, run-in with Jaime for a cliffhanger

Cersei - Bumbling, arrest and penance walk

Theon -FArya and escape from Winterfell.

Ironborn - Traveling to Meereen, not much time

Dorne - Quentyn's whole thing.

Aegon - Parting with Tyrion, landing in Westeros.

Its a lot of plotlines to get through, but those are the logical endpoints for each. If they cut each character to 6 or 7 episodes (like they've shown the capability of this season) it will work out. If they decide to cut the "new characters," it becomes even easier. D+D will have surpassed GRRM by 2015 unless WoW comes out by then, and he'll have until 2017 (probably) to get ADoS out. 7 seasons makes sense if the show isn't going to drag/ be riddled with filler.

[DragonsHungry]

Not good... It would be detrimental to the readers experience. :bang:

I don't care really at this point. I love the TV show, compared to hours and hours of garbage they peddle on TV. I really only have 3-4 TV shows I even care about, it often takes a year or two between shows to find something tolerable. Most shows on TV is stomach turning. I can't watch lawyer or cop shows simply because they bore me to tears.

GRRM's writing pace is his pace, I figure there is no sense getting mad about it, he has other priorites, like his development deals and side books, he isn't obligated to finish before the show. He doesn't seemed concerned, so I won't be either.

I say full steam ahead and spoil away.

[kiasyd]

I don't care really at this point. I love the TV show, compared to hours and hours of garbage they peddle on TV. I really only have 3-4 TV shows I even care about, it often takes a year or two between shows to find something tolerable. Most shows on TV is stomach turning. I can't watc h lawyer or cop shows simply because they bore me to tears.

GRRM's writing pace is his pace, I figure there is no sense getting mad about it, he has other priorites, like his development deals and side books, he isn't obligated to finish before the show. He doesn't seemed concerned, so I won't be either.

I say full steam ahead and spoil away.

I love the show as well, but would rather to experience the story first through the books, as it was first conceived - it will just be weird if the show catches up.

[raj34]

I don't care really at this point...

GRRM's writing pace is his pace, I figure there is no sense getting mad about it, he has other priorites, like his development deals and side books, he isn't obligated to finish before the show. He doesn't seemed concerned, so I won't be either.

I say full steam ahead and spoil away.

My sentiments exactly. I want to know how this story ends before I need to concern myself with things like AARP membership and colonoscopys and the like.

[Garlan the Gallant]

I believe that this producer is slightly confused or is out of the loop. See below:

Jaime 6 out of 8 (Episode 7)

6/7 X 10 = 8.5 ~ Estimate: Will finish by Season 3 finale

Catelyn 5 out of 7 (Episode 7)

5/7 X 10 = 7.14 ~ Estimate: Will finish by Season 3 finale

Arya 8 out of 13 (Episode 7)

8/7 X 10 = 11.5 chapters concluded by Season 3 finale (Estimated)

Tyrion 4 out of 11 (Episode 7)

4/7 X 10 = 5.7 chapters concluded by Season 3 finale (Estimated)

Davos 3 out of 6 (Episode 7)

3/7 X 10 = 4.3 chapters concluded by Season 3 finale (Estimated)

Sansa 2 out of 6 (Episode 7)

2/7 X 10 = 2.9 chapters concluded by Season 3 finale (Estimated)

Jon 4.5 out of 12 (Episode 7)

4.5/7 X 10 = 6.5 chapters concluded by Season 3 finale (Estimated)

Daenerys 4.66 out of 6 (Episode 7)

4.66/7 X 10 = 6.7 ~ Estimate: Will finish by Season 3 finale

Bran 1 out of 4 (Episode 7)

1/7 X 10 = 1.5 chapters concluded by Season 3 finale (Estimated)

Samwell 2 out of 5 (Episode 7)

2/7 X 10 = 2.9 chapters concluded by Season 3 finale (Estimated)

Total Estimated Chapters (excluding prologue and epilogue) Completed By Season 3 Finale = 56.3

Total Chapters in A Storm of Swords (excluding prologue and epilogue) = 78

Estimated Percentage of Show Completed By Season 3 Finale: 72%

How can you fill an entire season with 30% of a novel? My best guess is that, while he may be correct concerning the number of remaining season, season 4 will finish the remaining portion of aSoS and get through a substantial portion of aFoC and a DwD. Still, this does prove Adam's point from the article that a tremendous "trimming" will have to be done to the story.

[Young Nan]

A single season condensed version of AFFC/ADWD would be incredible.

I absolutely agree, I always felt it was a mistake for GRRM to split it the way he did. He thought people should have "the whole story for half the characters" but judging from the reader reactions, a lot of people would have preferred the opposite.