‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Eyes July Premiere, Says Liam Cunningham

Torturous as it is that Game of Thrones Season 7 won’t join its predecessors with a spring premiere, the shortened episode count should only push the HBO drama so far out of its usual home. Now, star Liam Cunningham suggests HBO is looking at a July premiere, with production resuming in late summer.

Where previously HBO would only specify a summer 2017 premiere for the seven-episode Game of Thrones return, Cunningham clearly stated to the Irish Independent that a July premiere was the current plan. Additionally, the once and (we hope) future Davos Seaworth’s suggestion of a special premiere plan could hint at a reason for all the secrecy:

I’ve been disappointing various people around the world because it was meant to come out in April. It’s July now, I think … There’s going to be a launch and something special happening this year for the premiere. The bad news is, there will only be seven episodes and the final season starts again as far as I know in September.

Presumably, Cunningham was referring to production of Season 8 resuming in September, which we’ll take as a positive sign for Davos’ chances in Season 7. All the same, HBO has yet to specify an official episode count for the final season, though most suggestions have placed it at six.

Elsewhere of Game of Thrones Season 7, a list of directors for the year has been announced along with rumors of some major set pieces and battles, while at least a portion of filming will take place in Iceland. Harry Potter star Jim Broadbent has been confirmed for a “significant” role (though apparently not UFC star Conor McGregor), while several notable returns have likely been revealed, and one recast.

We’ll hear more of Game of Thrones Season 7 in the coming weeks and months, but will HBO finally step forth with an official date? Maybe a teaser? A poster? We’re dying here, guys.