Game of Thrones Season 8: Everything You Need to Know About the Series Finale

The first episode of the final season has already premiered on HBO.

When Does Game of Thrones Season 8 Premiere?

The much-anticipated final season of Game of Thrones began airing on April 14, 2019. Due to time zone differences, viewers in Russia saw it on April 15.

Rumors about the premiere date circulated for an entire year. Back in January 2018, Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark, hinted that the season would arrive in April. However, she later retracted her statement, likely due to non-disclosure agreements.

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In November, HBO officially confirmed the release timeframe with a video announcement, but the exact date was only revealed in January.

Is There a Trailer for the New Season?

Initially, HBO released a teaser composed mostly of scenes from previous seasons.

Following that, a graphic-focused teaser themed around the clash of ice and fire was unveiled.

On January 13, the "Winterfell Crypt" teaser was released. It contains no footage from upcoming episodes but was created to evoke the atmosphere of the looming war.

On March 5, the full Season 8 trailer premiered, showcasing more intense moments.

What Happens in the "Winterfell Crypt" Teaser?

Directed by David Nutter, who helmed three episodes of the final season, the teaser features Jon Snow, Sansa, and Arya walking through the Stark family crypt.

Along the walls stand statues of various characters, with voices reciting lines tied to the past. Lyanna Stark, Jon's mother, says, "You must protect him," referencing the end of Season 6 where she asks Ned Stark to care for newborn Jon. A feather falls from her statue, symbolically placed by Robert Baratheon in the series’ first episode and later taken by Sansa.

When Sansa passes the statue of her mother, Catelyn Stark, the phrase "All the misfortunes that befell my family are punishment for my failure to love the orphan" is heard.

Finally, near Ned Stark's statue, the words "And you are a Stark too, not by name but by blood" are spoken.

These lines emphasize Jon Snow's heritage, hinting at its significance in the finale.

As the trio sees their own statues, a chilling cold fills the crypt, reminiscent of the White Walkers' invasion. Some fans speculate this foreshadows the deaths of all Starks, though it might simply be an artistic choice.

Highlights from the Full Season 8 Trailer

The creators continue to avoid major spoilers, focusing on emotional scenes. Notable moments include Arya wielding a dragon glass dagger, ready to fight to the end. Cersei appears determined to claim lands left leaderless, aided by the Golden Company led by Euron Greyjoy.

Jaime seems to side with the living and heads to Winterfell. Tormund and Beric Dondarrion also appear, confirming their survival after the Wall’s destruction.

The trailer mainly showcases preparations for the battle at Winterfell, where all rulers except Cersei unite.

Behind the Scenes of Season 8 Filming

The series finale is set to be the most ambitious television event ever. Initially, there were talks of producing three two-hour episodes for theatrical release. However, the plan shifted to six episodes, each approximately 90 minutes long, with HBO executives emphasizing that each episode will feel like a full-length film.

The budget per episode exceeds $15 million, totaling around $100 million—comparable to major blockbuster films. Even expensive series like Westworld had budgets under $10 million per episode.

Returning Emmy-winning directors include David Nutter, who directed the infamous "Red Wedding," and Miguel Sapochnik, known for "Battle of the Bastards" and "The Winds of Winter." Series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss personally directed the finale.

Filming took place in various secretive locations. Near Belfast, large sets resembling the entrance to King’s Landing were built, while another site in Ireland recreated parts of Winterfell, previously only shown with CGI.

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The Battle of Winterfell was filmed over 55 consecutive nights across three locations, followed by weeks of post-production—a much larger effort compared to the 25 days spent on the Battle of the Bastards.

Overall, production lasted longer than the previous two seasons combined, starting in October 2017 and concluding in July 2018.

Measures Taken to Prevent Leaks

The creators implemented unprecedented security measures to avoid spoilers.

An Entertainment Weekly reporter visiting the set was required to cover their phone camera. Drones were deterred using specialized anti-drone rifles to prevent aerial surveillance.

Actors were strictly forbidden from taking any photos, even of their own feet. Despite this, Maisie Williams broke the rule, sparking fan theories and discussions. Scripts were watermarked to trace any leaks.

Cast members were assigned code names; Emilia Clarke was known as Eldiss.

Initially, rumors suggested multiple endings were filmed to confuse leaks. However, Maisie Williams later dismissed this, confirming she knew the true ending.

Possible Endings of the Series

While no official spoilers exist, hacker leaks and fan theories abound.

Recap of Season 7 Finale

Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow, and Daenerys Targaryen met in King’s Landing. Jon demonstrated how to kill a wight. Cersei refused to aid others, choosing to seize leaderless lands. Jaime abandoned her, prioritizing protecting humanity and his pregnant lover.

Sansa discovered that Littlefinger, not Arya, plotted to kill her. Theon Greyjoy set out to rescue Yara.

Samwell Tarly and Bran Stark revealed Jon’s real name as Aegon Targaryen, rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, Jon and Daenerys unknowingly began a romantic relationship, unaware they were nephew and aunt.

The Night King raised the slain dragon Viserion as an undead, who then destroyed the Wall, allowing the White Walkers to invade the Seven Kingdoms.

What to Expect in Season 8

Season 8 surpasses George R.R. Martin’s book series timeline, diverging from published novels. The finale is partially based on drafts of the forthcoming book "A Dream of Spring."

Cast members have been tight-lipped. Kit Harington revealed he cried reading the finale. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau hinted many main characters will die and become White Walkers but praised the ending as perfect. An EW reporter on set encountered unexpected actors.

One episode will focus almost entirely on battle scenes from multiple perspectives, marking the longest combat sequence in film history. Night King actor Vladimir Furdik shared this will occur in episode three. Peter Dinklage previously said it would surpass the "Battle of the Bastards" in scale.

Maisie Williams stirred excitement by posting a photo of bloodied shoes with the caption: "Goodbye, Belfast. Goodbye, Arya. Goodbye, Game of Thrones." Fans speculated the hashtag #lastwomanstanding implies Arya might be the sole surviving female character and possibly claim the Iron Throne.

On January 6, HBO released a 2019 lineup promo featuring Sansa Stark saying to Daenerys, "Winterfell is yours, Your Grace," a scene from the first episode of the final season.

Theories, Spoilers, and Leaks

Various forums have circulated alleged leaked scripts and spoilers. While unconfirmed, some align with fan speculation. Spoiler-sensitive readers beware.

Jon Snow is declared the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Arya’s face is actually Jaqen H’ghar’s disguise. He kills Cersei and impersonates her. The Hound defeats the Mountain. A massive battle with the White Walkers engulfs Winterfell, resulting in the castle burning, as confirmed by fan photos from filming.

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Euron Greyjoy becomes king of the Seven Kingdoms. In the final battle, Gendry kills Viserion, Daenerys dies after childbirth, and Jon Snow kills the Night King with the "Longclaw" sword.

Jon then fights and kills Euron but dies himself. The Hound and Jaime also perish. The series ends with Arya sailing away.

However, these are likely fan creations. Only the season finale will reveal the truth.

Who Returns for Season 8?

Fans will reunite with beloved characters, though some actors declined to renew contracts. Indira Varma (Ellaria Sand) and Ellie Kendrick (Meera Reed) confirmed their absence.

Joseph Dempsie (Gendry) participated in most filming, consistent with spoilers. Mark Rissman joined as Harry Strickland, captain of the Golden Company.

A special bonus DVD episode focusing on deceased characters is planned, expected to feature Sean Bean (Ned Stark) and possibly Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo).

What’s Next After Game of Thrones?

Following the main series, HBO and George R.R. Martin plan several prequels. The first, titled "The Long Night," is in production. It explores Westeros roughly 5,000 years before the original series, focusing on the end of the Age of Heroes and the dawn of dark times, possibly revealing the origin of the White Walkers.

Jane Goldman, a favorite screenwriter of Matthew Vaughn ("Stardust," "Kick-Ass," "X-Men: First Class," "Kingsman"), leads the project. The pilot is directed by S.J. Clarkson ("Dexter," "House").

Lead roles include Naomi Watts and Josh Whitehouse, with John Simm ("Doctor Who"), Marquis Rodriguez ("Luke Cage"), Richard McCabe ("Peaky Blinders"), Dixie Egerickx ("Patrick Melrose"), Naomi Ackie ("Doctor Who"), Denis Goffe ("Colette"), Jamie Campbell Bower ("Sweeney Todd"), Sheila Atim ("Harlots"), Ivanno Jeremiah ("Black Mirror"), Georgie Henley ("Chronicles of Narnia"), Alex Sharp ("How to Talk to Girls at Parties"), Toby Regbo ("The Last Kingdom"), and Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter in "Harry Potter") also joining.

HBO allocates over $50 million annually for production, with filming starting in early summer 2019. The series is not expected before 2020.

Little is known about other prequels. Rumors mention one titled "Empire of Ash" about the fall of the Valyrian Empire. Martin also hinted at a frozen spin-off and another project with writer-producer Bryan Cogman.

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