Winter is coming. And we now know when…

Fans of HBO’s monster hit Game of Thrones can officially mark their calendars – the next trip* to Westeros will begin in April!

If that wasn’t enough, HBO also released a fabulous new promo video to whip us into a frenzy…

*Notice we didn’t say final? For those who don’t know (all two of you), though this season will be Game of Thrones’ last, production on the first in a series of planned spin-offs is already underway. Written by Jane Goldman (X-Men: First Class), alongside creator George R.R. Martin himself, the currently untitled prequel show will be set approximately eight thousands years before the events depicted in GoT, and will chronicle “the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour“, according to the folks at HBO. They added, “From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East, to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.” Casting is still in its infancy, but confirmed so far is the wonderful Naomi Watts (Mullholland Drive), who will play “a socialite with a secret”.

Expect the show (which Martin is still insisting is called The Long Night) to premiere sometime in 2020.

More news from Westeros as soon as we get the next raven…