HBO has confirmed that the final season of Game of Thrones won’t premiere until sometime in 2019. It’s a decision that has been rumored since last June and characterized as a strategic move that gives the network more time to work on its numerous proposed spinoff series.
The network reiterated that the eighth season will have six episodes, which will likely be very long, given that episodes in the seventh season ranged from 59 to 80 minutes. The directors and writers for the final season were also announced: showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss will direct the series finale, and veteran Game of Thrones director David Nutter will return for three episodes, his first since season 5. Miguel Sapochnick will also be back for two episodes, after directing two each in season 5 and season 6 and sitting out season 7. The season will be written by Benioff and Weiss, as well as Bryan Cogman and Dave Hill.
None of the directors from season 7 — Jeremy Podeswa, Alan Taylor, Matt Shakman, and Mark Mylod — will return for season 8.
Source: The Verge