If going cold turkey on "Game of Thrones" sounds painful, there's good news: HBO is still considering spinoff projects.

With the end of the hit series too close for comfort, the premium network is having "preliminary ongoing talks" with author George R.R. Martin about follow-up ideas, reports Entertainment Weekly. The publication recently chatted with HBO programming president Casey Bloys, and he indicated that there are a variety of possibilities still on the table, including a prequel or spinoff.

"There are areas we are exploring, but I wouldn't point to any one and say, 'This is what we're going to do,'" he told EW.

Fortunately, HBO does still have time to think about options. There are still two "Game of Thrones" seasons to go, albeit short ones. Season 7 will premiere next summer and consist of seven episodes, and Season 8 will likely follow in 2018.

If a prequel or spinoff were to follow, it would be a first from one of HBO's scripted shows. However, it wouldn't be a huge shock. "Game of Thrones" has been an awards-show staple, not to mention a ratings giant, since it premiered in 2011, so we can't blame Bloys and the network for wanting more.

"I'll take as much as we can get," Bloys said when asked about the Season 8 episode count.

It's a sentiment we'd bet all fans can relate to, whether that be in regard to the number of episodes or to a full-on spinoff or prequel series. The more "Game of Thrones" we get, the happier we'll be.

[via: Entertainment Weekly]