Earlier, 'Game of Thrones' executive producers David Benioff and Dan Weiss had said that they planned to wrap up the American fantasy television drama series by Season 7, but HBO president (Programming) Michael Lombardo recently said that the show may be extended up to its eighth season.

A report in IB Times states that while addressing critics during the 2015 Summer TCA press tour, Lombardo said in all likelihood there will be two more seasons after Season 6, which is now being filmed.

E!Online quotes Lombardo saying, "I think 'seven seasons and out' has never been the conversation." The executive producer added, "The question is how much beyond the seventh season we're going to do. Obviously we're shooting six now and hopefully discussing seven. They're feeling like they're probably two more years after six. I've said before, I would always love for them to change their minds, but that's what we're looking at right now."

Replying to a query on whether fans can expect a prequel, which would look at the story of the Mad King and the Targaryens, the HBO programming chief said they have not discussed this issue yet. However, in the end, everything would depend upon what David Benioff and Dan Weiss and author George RR Martin would decide.

According to Lombardo, currently the focus was on the upcoming seasons of the fantasy series based on Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels.

At the same time, Lombardo clarified, "I would be open to anything that Dan and David wanted to do about Game of Thrones or almost any subject matter," adding, "It would really depend fully for us on what they wanted to do. I think you're right, there's enormous storytelling to be mined in a prequel. But you'd have to have George and Dan and David decide they want to tackle that."

Meanwhile, HBO's president of programming was also asked about the 'Game of Thrones' Season 5 finale shocker - Jon Snow's death. Although many fans still believe Jon Snow will survive the assault somehow, Lombardo did not seem to be very optimistic.

He said, "Dead is dead. He be dead," adding, "Yes. Everything I've seen, heard or read, Jon Snow is dead."