Game Of Thrones season 6: Jon Snow's fate, prequel to the show and season 8 teased by HBO boss

HBO's programming president Michael Lombardo has delivered some good news and some bad news for Game Of Thrones fans.

The popular fantasy drama is not going to end with season 7 - that's the good news. The bad news is that Jon Snow will not be coming back to life in season 6.

Talking about Game Of Thrones' run on HBO, Lombardo told critics at the recently held Television Critics Association's press tour, "Seven-seasons-and-out has never been the [internal] conversation. The question is: How much beyond seven are we going to do?" (via Entertainment Weekly]

"Obviously we're shooting six now, hopefully discussing seven. [Showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss] feel like there's two more years after six. I would always love for them to change their minds, but that's what we're looking at right now."

While Lombardo has teased season 8, it's important to note that the current order from the series is only up to season 7, as of now.

Another very interesting possibility discussed at the press tour was the idea of making a prequel series since author George RR Martin has created a world with such a lengthy and detailed history.

"I would be open to anything that Dan and David wanted to do—about Game of Thrones, or any subject matter," Lombardo said. "It really would depend fully on what they wanted to do. I think you're right, there's enormous storytelling to be mined in a prequel, if George and Dan and David decide they want to tackle that. At this point, all the focus is on the next few years of the show. We haven't had any conversations about that at this point."

The HBO executive was also asked to shed some light on the rumours related to 'Jon Snow's return' that started off after actor Kit Harington was spotted with the cast in Belfast.

"Dead is dead is dead," said Lombardo. "He be dead. Um, yes. Everything I've seen, heard and read, Jon Snow is indeed dead."