NI return for Game of Thrones ahead of eighth season end

Hit series Game of Thrones will end after its eighth season, it has been confirmed - but will return to film scenes in NI in the meantime.

Broadcaster HBO confirmed the epic show’s conclusion would be when the eight season airs, probably in 2018.

The penultimate seventh series will be broadcast a little later in summer next year and will be shorter, with just seven episodes instead of the usual 10.

The show is adapted from George RR Martin’s novels, but has already overtaken his books.

Earlier this month, Game of Thrones picked up a total of 23 Emmy nominations – the most of any show recognised with a nod.

But its demise was heralded by HBO’s new programming president Casey Bloys, who talked about it at the Television Critics Association press tour and also mentioned a possible spin-off.

Executive producers David Benioff and DB Weiss had also previously hinted that the international phenomenon was drawing to a close.