The sixth season of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones returns Sunday April 24th. The news was announced at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena and reported by Variety. That is less than three months away, so plenty of time to finish the newest book in George R.R. Martin’s series, The Winds of Winter - oh wait.
Still, many will rejoice that we will soon learn the fate of Jon Snow (Kit Harington), as HBO has done nothing but tease us since the Season 5 finale. Beyond that revelation, Season 6 will include the return of Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) after a season absence, as well as the addition of Max von Sydow as Three-Eyed Raven and Freddie Stroma (UnREAL) as Samwell’s (John Bradley) brother Dickon Tarly.
It is interesting to note, as Variety does, that while this premier date is consistent with past seasons, it is also based on the awards season. In order to eligible for this year’s Emmys, television episodes need to air by June 24, which marks the close of the nomination period.
If you remember, Game of Thrones won the Emmy for Best Television Drama last year.
The series has been a constant hit for HBO over its first five seasons. Besides winning the Emmy for Best Drama last year, the Season 5 finale drew 8.11 million viewers, the largest the show has ever had. And here is the teaser trailer for the newest season just in case you haven't seen it or want to watch it again.
Also announced at the Television Critics Association the season premiere of Veep and Silicon Valley Starring a great ensemble cast lead by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep will be returning for its fifth season, and is coming off a multi-win Emmy showing for its last season (Louis-Dreyfus for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series; Tony Hale for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series; as well as Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Casting). And Silicon Valley is returning for its third season after also coming off a multi-win Emmy season (Outstanding Production Design; Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing).
HBO will be hoping to repeat the success of each of these original series for their coming season which, again starts April 24th.
