Photo courtesy HBO

HBO has confirmed what many had anticipated, that Game of Thrones will indeed end with eight seasons.

Casey Bloys, HBO's programming chief, shared the news on Saturday during the network's Television Critics Association session, explaining that it was ultimately a creative decision made by creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

Benioff and Weiss have maintained for some time that they intended to wrap the show after season 8. And the news comes after word earlier this month that season 7 will premiere later than usual next summer due to delayed production.

Bloys said Benioff and Weiss had "a very specific plan" about the end of the series, assuring fans: “If I could get them to do more, I would take 10 seasons, but we want to take their lead with what they can do and what the best version of the show is.”

He also said the network is open to a spinoff, revealing they've "talked about it," but "there are "no concrete plans." He added: "It’s something I’m not opposed to, but it has to make sense creatively. I’m open to it. [Benioff and Weiss] aren’t opposed to it."