SIX REASONS TO WATCH...

A WINTER WONDERLAND

For years we’ve heard that ‘winter is coming’. now, snow will finally engulf the seven kingdoms this season. producers even changed the filming schedule to capture genuine wintery conditions.

this run may just be seven episodes long, but the same budget went into shooting, so fans can expect an even higher-quality and faster-paced season, with the final episode expected to last a lengthy 81 minutes.

STUNNING BACKDROPS

the show returns to northern ireland, iceland and spain this year, but look out for new filming locations, including the beaches of the basque country, plus a roman-age amphitheatre and an old shipyard in seville.

ED SHEERAN!

producers wanted to surprise british star maisie Williams, who plays arya stark, by casting her favourite pop star, all-conquering ed sheeran in the show. ed recently teased that his cameo role involves serenading arya.

SUPER-SIZED DRAGONS

‘the dragons this year are the size of 747s,’ says director matt shakman. ‘Drogon is the biggest – his flame is 30ft in diameter!’

AND THERE’S MORE...

season eight will be the last of Game

of Thrones but, following rumours that four possible spin-offs will continue the saga, hbo has suggested that a prequel could be getting the green light.