Game of Thrones: George RR Martin clarifies he does watch the HBO show following contradictory reports

The author just hasn't caught up yet

A Song of Ice and Fire author George RR Martin (HBO)

Towards the end of Game of Thrones’ fifth season, the show finally surpassed the books, Stannis’s fate — as-yet unrevealed by George RR Martin — shown on screen.

Following the author’s trip to Russia, reports circulated that Martin no longer watched Game of Throne, instead focussing on completing the upcoming A Song of Ice and Fire novel, The Winds of Winter.

However, Martin has since clarified that he does watch Game of Thrones, explaining to Entertainment Weekly that he’s behind on season seven.

Apparently, the confusion — one article even headlined ‘George RR Martin: ‘I don’t watch Game of Thrones’ — may have come from the author saying during a Russian convention that, during the trip abroad, he hasn’t watched any television.

Generally, Martin has praised the show, often hosting screenings and talking positively about many of the actors. With the show surpassing the books, Martin has started deferring plot-centric questions to David Benioff and Dan Weiss.

Along with working on the sixth A Song of Ice and Fire novel, Martin has been working with writers regarding the upcoming Game of Thrones spin-offs.

Season seven of Game of Thrones has almost concluding, with only one episode remaining. Read all about the finale here. Game of Thrones airs on Sky Atlantic and streams on NOW TV in the UK.