Games Of Thrones Could Have Lasted For Many More Seasons, GRRM Says

HBO's Game of Thrones ends with its eighth and final season next year, but that's not what author George R.R. Martin would have wanted. He told Variety at the Emmys that his books contain more than enough material for additional seasons; the show could have gone for 11, 12, or 13 seasons, Martin said.

"We could have gone to 11, 12, 13 seasons," he said. "But I guess [showrunners DB Weiss and David Benioff] wanted a life. If you've read my novels, you know there was enough material for more seasons."

Asked directly why Game of Thrones the TV show is ending, Martin said, "I don't know." That's a question better answered by Weiss and Benioff, the author said.

Martin added that, Weiss and Benioff always wanted for Game of Thrones to run for seven seasons, so Martin and the team were successful in getting them to agree to go to eight. Martin also shared that he originally wanted the show to run for 10 seasons.

Weiss and Benioff are keeping busy. Earlier this year, Disney announced that it hired the duo to produce a new series of Star Wars films, though we haven't learned anything about them yet.

Also in the interview, Martin praised the Game of Thrones cast, and said he understands that they are eager to get on with their lives and play different parts.

While Game of Thrones is ending, HBO is working on five different spinoffs. Some are set just 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, while others take place 5,000 years before the hit show.

Game of Thrones picked up nine Emmys this year, including Best Drama and a Best Supporting Actor win for Peter Dinklage.