Game Of Thrones Season 8: Lengthened Episode Running Time May Happen

It’s not an overstatement to say fans can’t get enough of the fantasy drama series, “Game of Thrones.” With the seventh season premiere this July, fans are already hanging onto their seats. But it looks like things will get better in the eighth and final season because episodes may be longer.

‘Game Of Thrones’ Episode Length Upgrade

Upon the reveal of season 8’s episode count, fans couldn’t help but compare it to season 7. It’s true that the final season will be one episode short in comparison to the upcoming season but there might be more to it than that. The eighth season of “Game of Thrones” may be getting an upgrade in episode running time.

Kit Harington in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo via HBO

Normally, “Game of Thrones” episodes run for an hour, with last episodes as an exemption to the usual episode length. Like in season 7, the episodes will be the standard time of one hour with the finale expected to be 82 minutes long. But in season 8, things may go for a different turn. In “Con of Thrones,” a “Game of Thrones” fan convention, sound designer Paula Fairfield had some revelations, as per Deadline.

Lena Headey and Hannah Waddingham in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo via HBO

Fairfield says that the six episodes for season 8 could each be 80 minutes long. With this notion, fans will definitely be getting their fill of the series. But, this isn’t anything final yet. Things could still change as productions is still haven’t started yet.

The Good And Bad Side

To some, the chance of lengthy “Game of Thrones” episodes is a dream. This could provide the opportunity to really tackle the storyline and characters. Plus, a lot more can happen in 80 minutes rather than an hour. But aside from the lengthy episodes being an upside, it’s can be a downside at the same time.

Vladimir ‘Furdo’ Furdik in Game of Thrones (2011). Photo via HBO

The additional minutes to the standard one-hour running time can make or break the season. Break in a way that it becomes dragging and it’s not used to its full potential. In that sense, it can totally backfire. But, it’s no use to overthink, as it’s not yet official and that there’s season 7 to look forward to. The series’ showrunners are David Benioff and Dan Weiss.  The seventh season of “Game of Thrones” is set to premiere this July 16th.