Game of Thrones season eight returns soon with mere months left until it airs on April 2019. HBO announced the news towards the end of 2018. HBO also released footage from the final season which was broadcast during the Golden Globes ceremony in the USA earlier this month. The scene saw a meeting between Sansa Stark and Daenerys Targaryen, who some fans could be the centre of a betrayal storyline in the new series. A confirmed release date for season eight is just around the corner, with the US TV channel revealing an air date will be announced moments before True Detective season three‘s premiere on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Here’s what we know so far about Game of Thrones season eight’s release.
When will Game of Thrones season 8 premiere?
Game of Thrones season eight is going to premiere in April 2019.
US network HBO recently tweeted to remind fans about the return of Game of Thrones – in case anyone had forgotten about the comeback of the biggest show in the world.
But the network’s announcement at the end of 2018 revealing their upcoming Spring show schedule may have tipped off eagle-eyed fans to the arrival of Game of Thrones.
Nevertheless, in classic Game of Thrones fashion, there are two different possibilities, and either one could be viable.
Recently, HBO announced that the third season of True Detective will begin on Sunday 13 January, and will run for eight episodes.
This would leave the show to finish on March 3, opening up the following week’s March 10.
Fans have pegged this as the first possibility of the show’s return – however, there is a catch.
March 10 may be reserved for the return of HBO’s Big Little Lies – which stars Meryl Streep.
However, Big Little Lies star Nicole Kidman recently hinted at a June release instead, so we could see a different show taking its place.
This new show is likely to start on March 10 and will run until April 21 – which leaves the following week available for Game of Thrones.
Five of the seven seasons of Game of Thrones have premiered in April, which could be further proof that April 28 may mark the return of the show.
With its six episodes, this would place Game of Thrones’ finale on June 2.
Although these two dates are the most likely to see the return of the show, it certainly will not stop the inevitable onslaught from The Night King.
And fans have recently been theorising over whether he will survive throughout the final episodes.
Game of Thrones season 8 will be released in April 2019 (Image: HBO)
Game of Thrones season 8 will air on HBO in 2019 (Image: TWITTER)
While Jon Snow (played by Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) have a decent chance against the harrowing necromancer, they may still be outnumbered.
Either way, HBO is already ramping up the hype about Game of Thrones after releasing an animated teaser packed with symbolism to leave fans to dissect and re-watch for spoilers.
A group of fans online pointed out that the Night King’s biggest mistake may be claiming The Iron Throne.
They wrote: “Just a question here but are there any Valerian Steel swords in the throne?
“I know there’s around a thousand swords in it, but is it possible that they could break it down (forged by dragon could probably be broken down by one) and reforge the weapons to supply an army against the Night King?”
Meanwhile, other Redditors chimed in to suggest: “The Night King wins, sits on the Iron Throne and cuts himself.”
Could the Night King’s victory spell his defeat after all is said and done?
GAME OF THRONES SEASON 8 AIR DATE, PREMIERE, CAST, TRAILER, PLOT
Game of Thrones season 8 release date: Could Jon be on screen by April? (Image: HBO)
How will Game of Thrones season 8 end?
There’s been much speculation about how Game of Thrones will end with lots of theories flying around, here are all the biggest ones
Emilia Clarke has recently spoken about Game of Thrones coming to an end, saying that it will be “embarassing”.
Fans think they’ve figured out how Jon Snow will defeat the Night King once and for all.
A new theory has suggested that Jon Snow will be dealt a cruel blow by Bran Stark, who will snatch the throne away from him.
Tyrion Lannister’s death may have been revealed in a plot twist that no one saw coming in season eight.
Daenerys Targaryen is set for a shock blow in the final season.
Richard Madden has hinted that the final season will have a brutal ending in which “everyone dies”.
Iain Glen has spoken about the script “problems” he faced and strict security on set while working on season eight.
Sansa Stark is predicted to die with many suggesting she can’t survive.
Some fans have been speculating about Arya Stark’s unexpected fate.
One of the stars of Game of Thrones has hinted that the ending can’t be a happy one.
Most recently, there’s been a suggestion that Daenerys Targaryen will win the war after a hint was dropped about the ending.
Brienne of Tarth star Gwendoline Christie has spoken about the “traumatic” finale to Game of Thrones, which doesn’t bode well for fans.
Game of Thrones season 8 will be released in April 2019 (Image: HBO)
Is there a trailer for Game of Thrones season 8?
Yes and no – HBO dropped an animated teaser at the end of 2018 for fans to analyse ad nauseam.
The trailer seemed to hint through a series of hidden symbols how the Game of Thrones would end and the location of the final battle between ice and fire.
The Game of Thrones season eight teaser also seemed to reveal how the show will end with a final battle taking place on the Trident.
If this is the case, the story will be brought full circle with Robert’s Rebellion taking place there and the fall of House Targaryen.
Game of Thrones fans have been speculating that there will be a big Lannister death after the lion sigil in the teaser was engulfed in flames, hinting that Cersei could meet her maker in the final run.
The Night King could be meeting his end as hinted by the rising of a new wall in the season eight trailer.
HBO has also dropped the first footage from season eight which aired during the Golden Globes and showed a meeting between Sansa and Daenerys with the former not looking too impressed at the Mother of Dragons.
Game of Thrones season 8 release date: Will the Night King see his demise from the throne? (Image: HBO)
What will happen in Game of Thrones season 8?
A new theory has emerged predicting the downfall of Daenerys Targaryen in the final season.
Cersei Lannister is going to die in a cruel and ironic blow, according to many on Reddit.
One theory suggests that Jon Snow will actually destroy the Iron Throne completely in the final season.
Game of Thrones director David Nutter recently suggested that not all fans will be happy with the ending of the series.
He also spoke about a huge plot hole in a previous series of Game of Thrones, which had left fans perplexed.
A new theory has emerged suggesting that Jon Snow will reveal his true identity in the final season.
Game of Thrones season 8 will be released in April 2019 (Image: HBO)
However, at the moment Jon doesn’t know the truth but could find out soon enough.
Most recently, Game of Thrones fans were sent into meltdown when Harington shared a shocking photo which seemed to reveal Jon Snow’s ending.
A new theory has started to emerge that Gendry could defeat the Night King when the Long Night finally comes to Westeros.
There have been hints from Jason Momoa, who plays Khal Drogo that the character could be back. However, this is yet to be seen with the Khal Drogo theory floating around for a while.
Game of Thrones season 8 will return to HBO and Sky Atlantic in April 2019. Seasons 1-7 are currently streaming on NOW TV.
