HBO is confirming what "Game of Thrones" fans never wanted to hear: The fantasy-thriller phenomenon will be coming to an end after Season 8.

Recently HBO renewed the series — adapted from George R.R. Martin's novels — for a shortened seventh season consisting of seven episodes.

The eighth season will bring the saga to a close. The number of episodes for that last cycle has not been determined, HBO programming chief Casey Bloys said Saturday at the Television Critics Association's summer conference.The Emmy-winning "Game of Thrones," based on George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" books, tells the epic fantasy tale of a multi-generational struggle for control of the Iron Throne and rule over the Seven Kingdoms.It got 23 nominations at this year's Emmy Awards.

The next season will be delayed as winter has finally come to the fictional realm of Westeros, and producers have to wait till colder weather to shoot the show.