It looks like Game of Thrones will be returning later than ever next year.
Interest in the HBO fantasy drama seems to be at an all-time high leading into season six, and yet the premium channel isn't rushing it back on air.
Game of Thrones survival odds: Who's likely to live long and who'll meet a bloody end?
Game of Thrones has debuted traditionally in late March or very early April, although season five debuted later than ever on April 12.
However, last week HBO announced that its winter Sunday programming block of Vinyl, Girls and Togetherness will have a deferred start of February 14; and scheduling for Girls and Togetherness's 10 episodes means that they aren't expected to conclude until April 24.
While it's possible that Game of Thrones could air with those comedies for two weeks beginning on April 17, it seems unlikely as HBO traditionally links its hit with spring comedies Veep and Silicon Valley.
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Early May is accordingly looking the most probable time for us to at last learn Jon Snow's true fate.
When Game of Thrones does return to screens, it will do so with new cast member Max von Sydow, Ian McShane, Richard E. Grant, Essie Davis and Freddie Stroma.
Sky Atlantic airs Game of Thrones in the UK.
Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.
