Game of Thrones season four just debuted Sunday after months of anticipation by rabid fans, and we can all now officially look forward to future seasons. HBO just announced that seasons five and six are officially on the cards--not that most people had any doubts.
There are still many events from the books that have not yet been covered in the show, with the last two books in the series still not even released. With the TV series' massive success right off the bat, it was never really questioned whether or not the show would last long enough to get to the end of the book series.
The main concern is, somewhat jokingly, that the TV series will catch up with the books. Author George R.R. Martin has been notoriously slow writing the series, and the show is operating at a steady, one season a year pace so far. If he doesn't pick up the pace or release the next book soon, the show-runners will have a decision to make on how to proceed.
In the event of this, or should something happen to Martin, the author has told the show-runners what will happen in the end of the series, including who wins the Iron Throne down the line. This makes them the keepers of one of today's biggest pop culture secrets, which I'm sure is difficult to resist sharing.
Regardless of Martin's pace, fans can rest assured knowing for sure the seasons will keep on coming--and why wouldn't they? It's been a commercial, critical and audience hit for HBO so far.