Here's everything we know so far about Game of Thrones Season 7, including new location details revealing a major battle!
And like that our summer joy has suddenly vanished, its warm embrace fading into the bitter taste of a winter’s kiss. For despite it being the dog days of August, White Walkers are on the move… and we have to now wait possibly another 11 months until Game of Thrones season 7 relieves us from our patient watch once more!
Aye, Game of Thrones season 7 will consist of seven episodes and debut possibly several months later than expected, confirming the icy dread that fans have expected for months now: the Long Night of Winter is here, and the coming summer will be shorter than ever.
“Now that winter has arrived on Game Of Thrones, executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss felt that the storylines of the next season would be better served by starting production a little later than usual, when the weather is changing,” Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming, said in a statement. “Instead of the show’s traditional spring debut, we’re moving the debut to summer to accommodate the shooting schedule.”
But there is plenty of good news too. Join us in this living and breathing document as we anticipate the coming ice storm!
Game of Thrones Season 7 Latest News
The new season of Game of Thrones is officially underway, and with new location shoots, there are always tantalizing tidbits leaking out of the production. For instance, it now has become very evident that the seventh season will be filming a new major battle scene in Spain.
As first broken by Los Siete Reinos (via Watchers on the Wall), HBO has been reaching out for a major dose of extra casting in Malpartida de Cáceres, a Spanish province along the coast that is famous for its Natural Monument of Los Barruecos (a national park). Filming there will require extras with preferable "military experience" between Nov. 14 and Dec. 15. Additionally, new reports from Los Siete Reinos confirm that it will be filming along the coast line.
This coupled with descriptions for extras that match generic characteristics of Unsullied soldiers, as well as the fact that the filming sequence is calling for large amounts of horses--including carrying carriages--could be quite illuminating on what is occurring in the scene.
Traditionally, Game of Thrones has shot in Spain in order to evoke George R.R. Martin's vision of Dorne, the desert paradise to the south of Westeros. While the scene could, in theory, suggest that they are simply opening up the landscape of King's Landing beyond the city walls, the carriages also suggest that a member of royalty will be surveying the battle. Based strictly on our understanding of Cersei Lannister's persona, that again points to a more likely struggle occurring between the Unsullied and the Dornish, complete with dragonfire before the eyes of the far braver Olenna Tyrell or Ellaria Sand. Why would the Dornish and Khaleesi Army be fighting after coming to an agreement at the end of season 6? Well... that is why it is just my unsubstantiated theory.
Then again, who is to say the Lannister forces haven't moved farther south to welcome the invading queen? In any event, it seems likely that the dragons will eat well in the episode about this queen's landing.
Game of Thrones Season 7 Premiere Date Delay
As has been much discussed, Game of Thrones season 7 was delayed until an unspecified month in summer 2017. The reason for the delay was previously explained by showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss on the UFC Unfiltered podcast. Apparently, now that Winter is finally here (it only took six years!), it means that production will have to start later--in September to be exact--to allow for the proper grim and gray weather necessary for Westeros.
“No … we don’t have an airdate yet, but this year it’ll probably be a bit later,” the showrunners told UFC Unfiltered hosts Matt Serra and Jim Norton. “[Because] we’re starting a bit later because at the end of this season, ‘winter is here,’ and that means that sunny weather doesn’t really serve our purposes anymore. So we kind of pushed everything down the line, so we could get some grim, grey weather even in the sunnier places that we shoot.”
During the show's SDCC panel, which we covered live, Benioff further explained with some humor, "We have to shoot in places where there are trees, so we have to wait for the leaves to fall off. So, we’re actually waiting to shoot [until] later in the year. That means we don’t finish shooting until February, and there’s no way of finishing post; there’s no way to get the show out there until summer."
Game of Thrones Season 7 Episode Count
First, HBO unsurprisingly greenlit Game of Thrones for a season 7 before season 6 even aired. Building up the week of hype for the premiere, the premium cable network nonchalantly confirmed a seventh season in late April, but tellingly did not reveal the length.
We now know that it will be seven episodes, something that Benioff and Weiss have hinted for months now. But also worth noting is that at this time, season 8 looks poised to only be a mere six episodes.
Benioff and Weiss also confirmed this is the gameplan still while chatting with Deadline after season 6 concluded. On the endgame, Benioff said, "It’s two more seasons we’re talking about. From pretty close to the beginning, we talked about doing this in 70-75 hours, and that’s what we’ll end up with. Call it 73 for now."
This would appear to confirm that season 7 will stick to their initial plan as a seven-episode affair. Still, maybe they'll realize they need an extra one or two episodes in season 8, so we'll get more than just six hours for the final year?
Game of Thrones Season 7 Casting
Jim Broadbent has been cast on the HBO flagship. The role that Broadbent plays is of course still a mystery, however HBO confirmed to EW that the role will be "significant." Any takers on what that might be? In any case, this is big news for the series since Broadbent has a history of playing significant parts in top-notch films like Moulin Rouge (2001), Gangs of New York (2002), and Iris (2001), the latter of which snatched him an Oscar.
Given most major characters have been cast from the books at this point, I'll venture a guess that Broadbent will be the head of the Citadel where Samwell Tarly is currently filling out an application. After all, it wouldn't be the first time he has taught young men about magic, right Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince?
Also, while somewhat later than last year, the Game of Thrones season 7 casting breakdowns eventually emerged. Thanks to our friends at Watchers on the Wall, we have a glimpse of the parts going out to casting agencies for the new season. Ironically, since we are now well past George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire," it is much harder to line up vague casting descriptions to characters. In past seasons, it was pretty clear when producers were casting Euron Greyjoy since they wrote about "pirates," or Randyll Tarly when words like "military" and "disapproving father" are used.
However, there are still some clues about season 7 in the below casting. Other than a Northern gatekeeper and a merchant of vague ethnicity (suggesting a person from Essos), most of them are required to be white and speak with an RP English accent. The RP accent is generally reserved for denziens of King's Landing on the show. Ergo, it is easy to surmise much of the action will be dealing with the aftermath of Cersei becoming queen in the capital. Further, one of the requests is for what sounds to be a sizeable role (several months of shooting) as a City Guard. This might point to the new leader of the City Watch, who will have a major role in season 7 if Daenerys' army comes calling for Cersei's reign during a siege...
Official casting breakdowns are below.
General, in the age range 40 – 55. He’s a senior military officer, and they’re looking for a white actor who uses the British RP accent. The actor is needed for the week of September 6th.
- Priest, in his 60’s. He’s a venerable priest with moral authority and gravitas. The show is seeking a white actor, using an RP accent, with characterful face for this part. He’s scheduled to shoot one week, from September 22nd.
- Warrior, in the 35 – 45 age range. The character is a tough-looking bruiser with the attack skills of a pit bull, and the actor needs to be great at fighting. He has a “considerable” amount of dialogue as well. It’s described as an “excellent part for a top-end actor.” Helpful clues in the description? We know it’s not a Dothraki character as the actor for the role is required to be white, and they’re asking for a neutral and non-posh English accent. This role is currently scheduled to shoot across October.
- Gate Guard, in his 20’s. The character is described as a “Confident, characterful, straight-talking Northern lad with a great face to play across a very excellent series of scenes.” They’re looking someone with wit, timing, and charisma. He’s currently scheduled to film between mid-October and mid-November.
- City Guard, in his 30’s. The show is casting for a city guard who intercepts a suspicious-looking person on his nightly patrol. They require an RP accent for this one. He’s set to shoot for a week in mid-October.
- Merchant, in his 40’s. The merchant appears at an inn during a busy evening. They’re seeking a character actor, for a non-combatant role. His appearance is more open, including ethnicity/race. That suggests a character appearing somewhere in Essos- or a place we’ve never been before, since Daenerys is now on the move. This part is scheduled to shoot the first week of November.
- Lovely Lady. Ah yes, what would Game of Thrones be without its courtesans and nudity? The show is casting for an attractive young courtesan who is sure of her own mind. It’s described as a “good speaking part” and casting notes that full nudity is required for the role. Similar to the merchant, the lovely lady’s physical appearance is open, indicating this role is for somewhere on Essos, or at a new location. She’s scheduled to shoot for one week in early October.
- Young Lord in his late 20’s. He’s a tall, handsome young lord, and the show is looking for a white actor who uses the RP accent. He’s scheduled to shoot in the week commencing September 20th.
Lieutenant, in his 20’s. The character is described as an athletic, physically fit, and disciplined warrior. Appearance-wise, they’re looking for someone not white, with Middle Eastern descent mentioned. This bears the hallmarks of a Dothraki character description. He’s set to shoot several days across three weeks, between mid-September and mid-November.
Game of Thrones Season 7 Directors
Luckily, despite the delay, the news is already beginning to fall like the Rains of Castamere since HBO just revealed the directors list for Game of Thrones season 7. Among the returning names are:
Alan Taylor - This filmmaker returns from the world of blockbusters where Marvel borrowed him for Thor: The Dark World. He also directed his khaleesi Emilia Clarke again in last year's Terminator: Genisys. But before any of that, Taylor directed the two stunning final episodes of Game of Thrones season 1, "Baelor" which saw the end of Ned Stark, and "Fire and Blood," the one that welcomed three baby dragons into the world. He also helmed four episodes of season 2, including the season premiere. So this is a bit of a homecoming.
Jeremy Podeswa - Here is a relative newcomer to the GoT family having helmed four previous episodes, including the first two episodes of season 6 that featured the return of Jon Snow. Podeswa also directed the infamous "Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken" in season 5.
Mark Mylod - This Shameless (U.S. version) and Entourage veteran also joined Game of Thrones in season 5. But he likely made a bigger impact on fans in season 6 when helmed "The Broken Man," the excellent, gingerly episode with Ian McShane, as well as "No One," the episode where Arya slept off three stab wounds to the stomach.
Matt Shakman - Shakman will be the newbie of season 7 since this will be his maiden voyage on the HBO flagship. However, Shakman has previously directed episodes of The Good Wife, Mad Men, and Revenge. He is also best known for extensive work on the cult comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Surprisingly, Miguel Sapochnik is not directing any episodes in season 7. Sapochnik won over fans and Game of Thrones showrunners alike when he helmed the staggeringly impressive "Hardhome" in season 5. He followed that up with two of the most popular episodes in the series' entire run in season 6, the genuinely cinematic installments of "The Battle of the Bastards" and "The Winds of Winter."
... Maybe their final two episodes for the series in season 8 are just so huge, he's getting a head start on planning them now? That seems to be at least a strong possibility given that while at the SDCC panel, Sapochnik was brought on stage (a rarity for TV directors) and when asked if he'd be back for season 8, he said, "I would very much hope so, yes."
I noticed that Dan Weiss nodded with approval during that answer.
Game of Thrones Season 7 Predictions
Everyone has their own personal theories about Game of Thrones season 7 or even how the whole series will end... including us! We gave a methodical, detailed list of predictions and theories here, but below is a sample:
At this precise moment in the series, Cersei is not Queen of the Seven Kingdoms despite what Qyburn said at her muted coronation about being “Protector of the Realm.” She couldn’t even protect her son from her own scheming when she left him alone to watch the smoking embers of his legacy drift from the ruins of Baelor all the way to the far side of Blackwater Bay. Cersei is a fool that created this threat of the High Sparrow to destroy Margaery, and in the process destroyed her own sanity, the mental well-being of her son, and finally the capital itself.
Now, Cersei is actually only the queen of three kingdoms: the Crownlands in which King’s Landing rests, the Westerlands where her family hails from, and the Stormlands which have lost the rule of both her late husband and his two now equally dead younger brothers. But Dorne has already murdered one of Cersei’s children, and now the queen has sent what’s left of House Tyrell into the arms of Ellaria Sand, whose combined fighting force likely already surpasses House Lannister’s 8,000 men.
... So, Cersei remains unloved by all now, including her incestuous brother. And with Daenerys set to make landfall early next season, the Stranger’s embrace beckons for this queen. The tragedy for all is that she knows this deep down and will do everything to thwart it, including perhaps use the remaining wildfire to burn the capital to ash, just like the Mad King previously dreamed of doing.
Hence why I personally suspect that the end of season 7 (if not earlier) will feature Daenerys’ dragons and armies making short work of King’s Landing’s defenses, and the people rebelling in the street against their “Lord Protector.” Seven Hells, they might be doing that before then once Highgarden cuts off the food supply in retribution for slaughtering most of the Tyrells. In that moment, Cersei will attempt to repeat history and choose to burn the capital down. This will occur after five or more hours of Jaime Lannister witnessing his sister becoming the same murderous despot that Aerys II had been when he stabbed him in the back.
So too will he probably plunge his sword through Cersei’s heart. However, when Tyrion and Dany finally step foot in the throne room, excited to confront their conquered enemies, they will not find a leering Kingslayer mockingly sitting in the Iron Throne, but rather a dead one who killed himself by his own hand after reluctantly slaughtering the love of his life for the greater good. No one will remember why this happened, but maybe Tyrion will feel something resembling pity for his brother?