game of thrones

HBO has a lot to look forward to in 2017, including the returns of both Game of Thrones and Curb Your Enthusiasm, but if British men shouting is your thing, they’ve got you covered too. Welcome back John Oliver for 2017, as HBO goes all-out with the hits to promote Last Week Tonight Season 4.

Game of Thrones has had its share of recasts and near-misses over the years, but it’s genuinely saddening to miss out on the great Mahershala Ali. The Moonlight and Luke Cage star apparently put in for a role in Season 2 (admittedly not the best), revealing what thwarted his audition in a new interview.

Game of Thrones will return later in the year than we’re used to in 2017, but HBO isn’t about to let you forget about the series after six years. Before December finally brings the winter of 2017 upon us, HBO will marathon all six seasons of Game of Thrones in one dragon-sized catchup.

The Golden Globes are notoriously harder to predict than the Emmys (at least for TV), and one wonders if the HFPA will continue to reward new series, despite Game of Thrones finishing one of its best years. It’s all in the family for HBO, at least, as George R.R. Martin thinks Westworld might win out over Season 6.

If Game of Thrones Season 6 made one notable course-correction, it might have been the sideline of Dorne stories after their meandering focus in Season 5. Still, Ellaria Sand and the Sand Snakes will be backing Daenerys in Season 7, and they may yet end up in a surprising role.

Game of Thrones showrunners seemed finally to have gotten their wish that UFC fighter Conor McGregor would put in a cameo appearance, and we may yet have more proof. Not only are UFC heads confirming the part, but we also know that McGregor’s role left him speechless.

Game of Thrones may be debuting later in 2017 than usual, but our first look at Season 7 is right on schedule. Check out the newest official footage, as HBO’s 2017 preview reveals Arya becoming a Northern girl once more!

As if the ability to watch Netflix offline weren’t enough, soon all your streaming options will change the way you watch TV. Amazon seems to be keeping plenty competitive as well, now adding the option to include HBO or Cinemax to its Prime subscription, albeit for a price.

Game of Thrones isn’t the type to lend itself to wide conspiracies in the same manner as Westworld, but that hasn’t stopped more than a few persistent possibilities turning the rumor mill. Season 6 in particular saw one uncomfortable rumor dogging Sansa, one it seems Season 7 is putting to rest well-ahead of schedule.

Had Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin not inflicted enough misery on our lives, thoughts on a Donald Trump presidency certainly seal the deal. The Song of Ice and Fire creator laments the election from a new blog post, reminding us all “Winter is coming. I told you so.”

Now that Game of Thrones is formally winding down into shortened seasons, HBO’s interest in a spinoff extension of the franchise will only rise. Series heads David Benioff and Dan Weiss have adamantly distanced themselves from any more Thrones after Season 8, but HBO heads are still courting them to return in some capacity.

There were at least a few Tormund Giantsbane fans on edge all throughout Game of Thrones Season 6, particularly as the character faced a deadly battle that could easily have cost multiple fan-favorites. Thankfully, Tormund survived to make sexy bread-eyes at Brienne in Season 7, but Kristofer Hivju is teasing an even more adorable pair for next year.