After months of speculation about when the final season of "Game of Thrones" will premiere, we finally have an official (if still pretty vague) answer: HBO confirmed on Thursday that the hit fantasy series will return sometime in 2019.

That's in keeping with what the cast and crew alluded to in recent interviews, acknowledging that a delayed production schedule (thanks in part to Kit Harington and Rose Leslie's upcoming nuptials) necessitated pushing the premiere date back. Now, the premium cable outlet has made that assumption official, though of course, we still don't have a concrete premiere date (or even a rough timeline, like earlier or later in the year).

What we do know, however, is that the final six episodes of the series -- all directed by veterans of the show -- will be more than worth the wait. Even former stars of the series are raving about the amazing conclusion, which provoked the cast to weep and give a standing ovation at a recent table read. We have a feeling that fans will have a similar reaction once the show wraps.

Now, we just have to wait for 2019 to hurry up and get here already. Keep watch here for more information about season eight of "Game of Thrones" as it becomes available.

[via: HBO PR/Twitter]