"Game of Thrones" cast signs on for season 7

"Game of Thrones" fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of the show's fifth season (like winter, it's coming -- just not until next year), but HBO is apparently looking even further ahead.

The network has already renewed the show for seasons 5 and 6, but has now also signed the cast to new contracts securing them for a potential seventh season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The principal "Thrones" actors were previously only signed through season 6. Per THR, the renegotiations to extend their contracts means the network "ponied up huge raises for seasons 5, 6 and the potential season 7 that will make the cast members among the highest paid on cable TV."

Given the success of the series, based on George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series of books, it seems highly likely a seventh "Game of Thrones" season will happen.

Season 4 of "Thrones" wrapped earlier this year and earned the series a whopping 19 Emmy nominations, including one for outstanding drama series.