HBO’s Game of Thrones season 3 to feature longer episodes; Plus, a new featurette…and beer?

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

One of the common complaints about HBO’s Game of Thrones series is simply that there aren’t enough episodes. Thankfully, that’s kind of a good thing.  Although author George R.R. Martin’s source material is massive, the producers have been able to faithfully adapt each book, thus far, with striking detail and integrity.  However, with season 3 covering the biggest and most popular of the series, A Storm of Swords, the showrunners have not only split the book into two seasons, but are now squeezing out more time per episode.

“There’s almost another full episode’s worth of extra minutes spread across the season,” says showrunner D.B. Weiss “One of the great liberties with HBO is we’re not forced to come in at a specific time. We can’t be under 50 minutes or over 60, but that gives us a lot of flexibility.”

“A super-sized season, as befitting Storm of Swords,” adds David Benioff, the other showrunner for the series. “Last year we had a lot of 52-minute episodes. This year is a lot of 56, 57.”  Weiss countered that, saying, “So for people clamoring for another episode, it’s in there. It’s just been cut into tiny pieces.”

The network clarified what the showrunners put out, stating that, “All 10 episodes gained a minute or two from past seasons with the finale very possibly exceeding 60 minutes.”

As a fan of the books and the show, this is great news.  Sure, I could easily sit and watch a two-hour episode, but that’s just not realistic to the format and really, it’s not necessary.  I’m perfectly content with the way things are going, but getting an extra few minutes per episode is super awesome.  With Martin’s source material, we all know that even a few extra seconds could make all the difference.

In addition to the extended time news, HBO has also released a new featurette on the art direction of the third season, which shows some behind-the-scenes shots and info from the art direction crew.  It’s a small appetizer for what promises to be the biggest season(s) of the hit show.

Have a look:

Lastly, here’s some cool news for enthusiasts of the show and…beer.  HBO is team up with brewery Ommegang to release a series of themed beers based on the show, the first of which, Iron Throne Blonde Ale, will be available on draft or bottle starting in mid-late March, coinciding with the premiere of the new season.  Another will be launched in the Fall with more to follow with subsequent seasons. 

The idea is to not do a simple product placement or tie in, but create something new.  HBO says ommegang will be “developing truly unique beers that directly tie into themes, characters and nuances of the series of the medieval-like fantasy realm of Westeros and surrounding kingdoms.”  Cool, eh?

Game of Thrones season 3 kicks off on March 31, 2013.