HBO

Game of Thrones generally doesn’t hide the fact each season features a celebrity cameo or two, but those expecting to see UFC fighter Conor McGregor putting up his dukes in Westeros are apparently in for a bit of a dodge. McGregor apparently denies taking any role, adding “I’ve never even heard about it!”

For as long as Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and Dan Weiss have discussed the final two seasons, the suggestion has been seven episodes for Season 7, and six episodes for Season 8. That final year doesn’t yet have an official renewal, which may yet lead to an increased episode order for the final Game of Thrones.

Our days of mourning Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds are far from ended, but the first trailer for their mutual HBO documentary Bright Lights will uplift as much as upend your day. See for yourself, as Fisher looks back on her mother’s storied Hollywood career, as much as her own struggle with depression.

Among the myriad reasons presented for Game of Thrones Season 7 shrinking to seven episodes over the usual ten, producers explained that the level of production could no longer accommodate so many episodes a year. Now, comments from star Iain Glen support that, noting that Season 7 will take just as long to film as full seasons.

Yesterday saw HBO announcing a tribute to the late Carrie Fisher via encore presentation of her adapted Wishful Drinking, and the network will waste little time paying tribute to her mother Debbie Reynolds as well. The official release of upcoming mother-daughter documentary Bright Lights has now been scheduled for early January as well.

Now that we’ve finally gotten a first look at Game of Thrones Season 7 footage, it’s worth wondering if the final two years will continue the tradition of famous cameos. One report in particular suggests that UFC favorite Conor McGregor might be getting his hands dirty, but how credible is the rumor?

Game of Thrones may be debuting later in 2017 than usual, but our first look at Season 7 is right on schedule. Check out the newest official footage, as HBO’s 2017 preview reveals Arya becoming a Northern girl once more!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — on HBO NOW, that is. This December, the network is gifting subscribers with several great new additions, including a few of this year’s most enjoyable films. So whether you missed Hail, Caesar! and Midnight Special in theaters, or you’ve been dying to give them another watch, HBO NOW’s upcoming slate has you covered — and then some.

Game of Thrones isn’t the type to lend itself to wide conspiracies in the same manner as Westworld, but that hasn’t stopped more than a few persistent possibilities turning the rumor mill. Season 6 in particular saw one uncomfortable rumor dogging Sansa, one it seems Season 7 is putting to rest well-ahead of schedule.

Even for a case in which a 12-year-old girl gets stabbed nearly 20 times, it was particularly heinous: young Payton Leutner of Waukesha, Wisconsin was recovered bleeding out in the woods near a slumber party she had been attending in 2014. Her attackers were two of her good friends, fellow middle schoolers. What could have possessed a couple of innocent kids to suddenly turn psychopath without warning and leave their pal for dead in the middle of the night?

There were at least a few Tormund Giantsbane fans on edge all throughout Game of Thrones Season 6, particularly as the character faced a deadly battle that could easily have cost multiple fan-favorites. Thankfully, Tormund survived to make sexy bread-eyes at Brienne in Season 7, but Kristofer Hivju is teasing an even more adorable pair for next year.

Game of Thrones Season 7 doesn’t have as big of secrets to keep as that pesky Jon Snow’s fate, but can’t help tipping its hand a bit when it comes to big battles. We’ve heard of one major offensive likely ahead for the Dragon Queen, but is a separate shoot about to start another big siege?

We’ve too many questions for the remaining two Game of Thrones Seasons to get lost in spinoff possibilities, but the prospect can’t be far from HBO’s mind. Case in point, showrunners presume HBO will make other series set in the world of Westeros, but don’t expect them to run any potential spinoffs.

Game of Thrones Season 6 has come and gone, long-since making moot any questions of George R.R. Martin speeding out The Winds of Winter to avoid spoilers, but there may at last be hope in sight. Another reported leak places Winds of Winter with an early 2017 release, at least beating Season 7 to the punch.

As if the major casting of Jim Broadbent weren’t enough of a clue, Game of Thrones is finally ready to go before cameras for Season 7. Production has officially begun, but how long until those ever-telling set photos start popping up online? Should we get the #JonSnowStillLives ready?

No one cheers on Game of Thrones like Jason Momoa, but the erstwhile Khal Drogo has now gone to some telling lengths to support his former co-stars. New photos place Momoa with his Game of Thrones family in Ireland, so might Drogo be back from the Night Lands once more?

As HBO’s Game of Thrones gears up for its seventh year, it’s easy to forget that George R.R. Martin’s first book has been around nearly three times that, as August 1, 2016 marked the official 20th anniversary. Now, Martin reacts to that momentous occasion with news of a special edition for October, and maybe … maybe, an update on Winds of Winter.

Game of Thrones has always shot midway through the year, to the point that Comic-Con appearances only ever offered new cast or bonus material from the stars, but with Season 7 pushed later into 2017, this year’s attendees got a special treat. Preview the making of Game of Thrones Season 7 in a first official teaser!

With dozens upon dozens of main characters, complex intersecting plots, and a detailed off-screen history, there’s no denying that ‘Game of Thrones’ can be a difficult show to follow. Even as a diehard fan I often refer to Wikipedia pages and read recaps to keep up with the events of the show. But is it actually that hard to understand? Can a total ‘Thrones’ newbie jump into the show six seasons in and figure out what’s happening?

The “Battle of the Bastards” may be behind us, but Ser Davos’ fighting days are far from over when Game of Thrones Season 7 premieres. Some new photos see actor Liam Cunningham undergoing some bareknuckle (bare finger stump?) training from UFC fighter Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh, just as The Mountain before him.