The minds behind Game of Thrones must feel really guilty about their decision to call it quits on the series in 2018, if how much they're overcompensating to make it up to us is any indication. We already knew that four A Song of Ice and Fire-based spin-off projects were in the works for a post-finale release on HBO, but apparently that didn't seem to cut it--as announced by George R.R. Martin just yesterday via his LiveJournal, a fifth Thrones spinoff has graced the drawing board. "We had four scripts in development when I arrived in LA last week, but by the time I left we had five," Martin said, adding, "We have added a fifth writer to the original four." He remained cagey when it came to naming the new addition outright, but expressed excitement over his affection and knowledge for the world of Westeros and beyond.

via GIPHY Though we're still in the dark about much of what's yet to be seen in any of these new Game of Thrones shows, Martin did at least clue us into what we won't be seeing: "None of these new shows will be 'spinning off' from GOT in the traditional sense," he said. "We are not talking Joey or AfterMASH or even Frazier [sic] or Lou Grant, where characters from one show continue on to another. So all of you who were hoping for the further adventures of Hot Pie are doomed to disappointment." And even more revealing than that: "Every one of the concepts under discussion is a prequel, rather than a sequel. Some may not even be set on Westeros." Adding to the list of definite no-gos, Martin stated, "We're not doing Dunk & Egg [as] there are at least seven or eight or ten more [of those novellas] I want to write [before bring the story to television]," and, "We're not doing Robert's Rebellion either... but by the time I finish writing A SONG OF ICE & FIRE, you will know every important thing that happened in Robert's Rebellion." While Martin himself admitted that it's "very unlikely that we'll be getting four (or five) series," it seems safe to say that we'll at least have something to keep us tucked snugly in Martin's world after we're forced to say goodbye to Daenerys, Tyrion, Jon Snow, and the rest. In other words, you're off the hook, guys. Guilt absolved.

Featured Image: HBO