HBO Renews Game of Thrones for a Third Season

HBO has renewed Game of Thrones for a third season.

"Series creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss raised our expectations for the second season — and then surpassed them," said Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. "We are thrilled by all the viewer and media support we've received for the series, and can't wait to see what Dan and David have in store for next season.

Based on the "Song of Ice and Fire" epic fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, this third season is expected to follow — at least in part — the first half of the third book in the series, A Storm of Swords. (The hardcover edition runs nearly 1000 pages in length; it was split into two parts for one of its paperback releases.)

The second season of Game of Thrones is currently airing on HBO on Sundays at 9 PM (ET/PT). To celebrate, let's once again revisit the stellar opening credits from the first season, below; we think the theme is about the best we've ever heard for a television series. (HBO hasn't uploaded the second season opening credits … yet.)