We wish this news had been more surprising than it actually is, considering Sunday's 'Game of Thrones' season 4 premiere, "Two Swords," once gain shattered HBO ratings records, while showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss already signed on for seasons 5 and 6. Still, because the sky is blue and obvious things are obvious, HBO officially opted to renew 'Game of Thrones' for a fifth and sixth season, carrying the war for Westeros all the way through 2016.

Of course, it's difficult to say what this might mean for the potential longevity of the series, considering we've most frequently heard that showrunners intend to end 'Game of Thrones' after season 7, while HBO President Michael Lombardo will likely push to season 8. Author George R.R. Martin recently suggested a theatrical movie could wrap up the saga after the TV series, though he himself has yet to finish the final two books of the 'Song of Ice and Fire' saga, and certainly isn't getting any younger.

Meanwhile, here's what HBO had to say of the 'Game of Thrones' renewal:

GAME OF THRONES is a phenomenon like no other. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with their talented collaborators, continue to surpass themselves, and we look forward to more of their dazzling storytelling.

The current fourth season of 'Game of Thrones' cast in known roles Joel Fry as Hizdahr zo LoraqRoger Ashton-Griffiths as Mace TyrellPedro Pascal as Prince Oberyn Martell, Indira Varma as Oberyn’s lover Ellaria Sand, Yuri Kolokolnikov as Styr, Magnar of Thenn, and ‘Sherlock’ star Mark Gatiss as Tycho Nestoris. ‘Treme”s Michiel Huisman will replace Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis, and Hafthor Julius Bjornsson will take over the role of Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane from Ian Whyte, among other recastings.

No surprise here, but exciting all the same, so what say you? Is the double renewal for 'Game of Thrones' seasons 5 and 6 a good sign? What did you think of Sunday's premiere? Check out a first look at this Sunday's "The Lion and the Rose" below, and tell us what you want to see from future 'Game of Thrones' in the comments!

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