HBO network president Casey Bloys has been discussing the premium cable network’s upcoming slate during a presentation at the Television Critics Association press tour, providing brief updates on big shows such as Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies, True Detective and Deadwood.
Firstly, Bloys clarified that 2019’s eight and final season will not serve as any kind of launchpad or backdoor pilot for the numerous Game of Thrones spinoffs in development:
“There is not going to be anything in any scenario where we have any sort of prequel air for at least a year after that. I want the final season of Game of Thrones to be the final season of Game of Thrones, I don’t want to use it to launch something else, I want it to stand as the finale of the greatest tv show of all time, I don’t want to do anything that infringes on that.”
Bloys also went on to reveal that neither the second season of Big Little Lies and the third season of True Detective will be ready in 2018, and that both will join Game of Thrones as part of HBO’s 2019 slate. Bloys was also asked about the possibility of a third season of Big Little Lies, responding that:
“Everybody involved is so busy that it’s hard to imagine aligning everybody’s schedule again. The fact that we were able to get season two together is a small miracle. Could we do it again? Who knows! It’s a great group. They love working together and they’re really fun to work with. But everybody is really busy. So let’s see.”
Bloys also addressed the hotly-anticipated Deadwood movie, revealing that it is currently undergoing a rewrite and aiming to go into production late in 2018. Also set to shoot this year are Damon Lindelof’s Watchmen pilot, as well as Armando Iannucci’s as-yet-untitled space comedy pilot.
Originally published January 14, 2018. Updated April 16, 2018.
