HBO execs talk book deadlines: 'We're not concerned'

Fans are worried that the author's slow writing pace will halt the TV series. Photo / Supplied

HBO executives have said they are "not concerned" about continuing Game of Thrones if George RR Martin does not finish his next novels in time.

The forthcoming fifth season will draw heavily from Martin's fourth and fifth novels A Feast of Crows and A Dance with Dragons in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

However, should Martin's next novels The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring not come out before the following sixth and seventh season, producers have said they intend to finish the TV show's run come what may.

Asked if there would be anything "short of a nuclear war" that would prevent Game of Thrones from completing its entire story as planned, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said: "No ... we're committed to it and [showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss] are committed to it."

Lombardo added that Martin had played a key role in developing the last series, but said HBO was not concerned about continuing the series should Martin not finish writing his books in time.

"Obviously George is an integral part of the creative team. So next season every move is being choreographed very closely with him. Certainly after next year we'll have to figure it out with George, but we're not concerned about it," Lombardo told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour.

Martin took six years to write A Dance with Dragons, his lastest instalment in the series, and has previously joked about the length of time it takes him to complete his books.

Earlier this week, the author responded to concerns from fans that he would die before finishing his Westeros saga.

"I find that question pretty offensive, frankly, when people start speculating as to my death and my health. So, f*** you to those people," he said.

Game of Thrones was yesterday revealed as the frontrunner at this year's Emmy Awards after gaining 16 nominations.

- Independent