"Game of Thrones" season 7 will return to HBO in July. Viewers tuning to the show are advised to get real comfortable as the premiere episode will be one of the longest in the series.
Season openers for "Game of Thrones" usually run at about 50 minutes or under. The upcoming premiere, however, will be nine minutes longer at 59 minutes, as posted on HBO Now's schedule.
Why this running time matters to fans is because "Game of Thrones" is already winding down its life on television following HBO's announcement that the show will end in season 8. The network shortened the upcoming season with seven episodes while the final season will only have six episodes compared to the usual 10.
The show's reign on television might be almost over but there are still plenty of stories to tell and conclude. Stars Emilia Clarke (Daenerys) and Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister) told Entertainment Weekly that they have been doing more filming for season 7 than in previous years because of this.
Executive producer Dan Weiss said the final two seasons of "Game of Thrones" will have storylines converging, thus the expanded episodes and increased screen exposure for the lead stars. HBO's recent trailer for "Game of Thrones" season 7 actually hinted of Daenerys finally arriving at King's Landing, where Cersei (Lena Headey) prepares to battle her for their first meeting.
Meanwhile, "Game of Thrones" season 7 may not be in the Emmy awards race this year, as pointed out by Boston Globe, regardless if it turns out to be its best season with noteworthy performances. The news outlet cites the show's airing in July pushes its eligibility to next year's awards season.
Hence, fans won't likely hear perennial nominees' names like Dinklage, Clarke or Headey when the Emmy nominations are announced. The Emmys usually holds this event during mid-July.
