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'Game of Thrones' geared to wow viewers

Felix Schlagwein ls
July 14, 2017

The new season is rumored to be bloodier than ever. Viewers will see familiar heroes and anti-heroes, but a famous redhead will also have a guest role. The first episode airs this weekend in the US.

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Sky TV-Serie Game of Thrones 7. Staffel
Image: 2017 Home Box Office, Inc./Helen Sloan

It's finally happening: "Games of Thrones" is back. With the first episode of the seventh season first airing in America on July 15, German fans can also get a taste of "Dragonstone," the season opener, on Monday, July 17 (viewers can again choose whether they want to watch in German or English).

Bloodier than ever?

There was plenty of speculation about how the plot would progress in the run up to the season kick-off. The two trailers that HBO released in May and June offered a peek - but also prompted more conjecture.

One thing is certain: the seventh season will be bloody. Everything points to war. Resolute armies are ready to face off against one another across Westeros. The final battle to win over the Iron Throne in King's Landing appears inevitable. The trailers for the seventh season also hint that the time has come for the feared "White Walker."

Wildling leader Tormund and warrior Brienne of Tarth could be gearing up for the ultimate battle
Wildling leader Tormund and warrior Brienne of Tarth could be gearing up for the ultimate battle in the latest season of "Game of Thrones"Image: 2017 Home Box Office, Inc./Helen Sloan

So it seems a doomsday atmosphere is prevailing in the "Game of Thrones" universe. But will it really be over after the seventh episode of the new season?

No. The series will continue and is already in planning. While the next season is supposed to have only six episodes, each is to be feature length. Fans will have to be patient, however, since the scripts apparently are not complete, meaning production cannot yet be planned. It could be 2019 before the eighth and last season will be released, HBO president of programming Casey Bloys told US magazine Entertainment Weekly.

Ed Sheeran in a guest appearance

Along with the familiar heroes and anti-heroes of the series, there is at least one new face in the seventh season: British singer Ed Sheeran will enjoy a guest appearance. The 26-year-old said he would appear for about five minutes in an episode, playing a song for character Arya Stark, played by Maisie Williams. He has not revealed which song he will sing, but did say his character will not die - in contrast to the many figures before him. Williams is a huge fan of the singer, now arguably the biggest pop star on the planet.

DW Sendung Euromaxx Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran will play a song for Arya Stark, played by Maisie WilliamsImage: Warner Music

A slew of awards

Time Magazine has called HBO's landmark production "the most popular series in the world." In addition to record-breaking ratings, the cult series has reaped 38 Emmy Awards - more than any other show in the nearly 70-year history of the prestigious TV awards. "Game of Thrones" will again be one of the front runners at this year's Emmy Awards, which will be announced on September 17.