“Game of Thrones” Will Be Back a Little Earlier Than We Thought

If this was a normal year, Game of Thrones would be returning next month, along with its little HBO buddies Silicon Valley and Veep.

Alas, an unexpectedly warm winter in Europe delayed filming on the most recent season. (Yes, winter literally failed to come. The irony!)

So, here we were, (Valyrian) steeling ourselves for a late 2017 return, when HBO revealed that, actually, GOT Season 7 will debut in July.

Hey, that’s not so bad!

The announcement was made following a laborious ice-melting event that occurred on Facebook Live, with users having to comment with the word ‘FIRE to melt an ice block containing the date.

7.16.17 #GoTS7 pic.twitter.com/lfa5DMHXHx

— Game Of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) March 9, 2017

We won’t make you go through that process. We’ll just tell you: It officially comes back July 16, 2017.

The great war is here. #GoTS7 premieres 7.16. pic.twitter.com/1Jna10kNuQ

— Game Of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) March 9, 2017

Season 7 will be slightly shorter than the rest. Combined with the shortened Season 8, the show’s final stretch will amount to about 15 episodes. You’ll miss these date announcements when they’re gone.

Photo: HBO