Game of Thrones Showrunners: Series May End Before The Books

Game of Thrones showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff have confirmed that the series will have the same ending as George R.R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice, the book series on which the show is based.

Ever since the series debuted in HBO in 2011, readers of Martin's series have had an advantage over fans who only keep up with the show. While readers know the major plot events episodes ahead, those who only watch the television series are at risk for spoilers. But because of Martin's snail-like writing pace, the show is running out of material to adapt, so we might see the ending on TV before the final seventh book, A Dream of Spring, is released.

We already know that Martin had told Benioff and Weiss about the book series' major future events, including the ending. Speaking at Oxford Union over the weekend, Benioff and Weiss said that the HBO series would have the same ending as the book series.

Here's what Benioff said about the series outpacing the books, and where it's heading:

Luckily, we've been talking about this with George for a long time, ever since we saw this could happen, and we know where things are heading. And so we'll eventually, basically, meet up at pretty much the same place where George is going; there might be a few deviations along the route, but we're heading towards the same destination. I kind of wish that there were some things we didn't have to spoil, but we're kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. The show must go on…and that's what we're going to do.

A lot of readers would probably be upset to see the show taking charge and spoil the ending of the books. After all, what would be the point of reading further if the show would reveal the fates of the characters anways? But it seems that there will still be things for readers to unravel in Winds of Winter and A Dream For Spring even if the TV series concludes before the book series. At least that's the sentiment Benioff said when talking about the implications of spoilers for Martin's future novels:

I think the thing that's kind of fun for George is the idea that he can still have surprises for people even once they've watched the show through to the conclusion. There are certain things that are going to happen in the books that are different in the show, and I think people who love the show and want more—want to know more about the characters, want to know more about the different characters who might not have made the cut for the show—will be able to turn to the books.

Are you okay with seeing the HBO series conclude before the books?

Game of Thrones Season 5 is set to premiere on April 12 on HBO.