You didn't need a small council to see this one coming: HBO has renewed "Game of Thrones" for a third season.
If you were worried HBO might not get all the way through its adaptation of George R.R. Martin's fantasy novels -- and really, were you? -- then worry no more. Show creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will get another season, and probably many more after that, to bring their epic chronicle of life in mythical Westeros to the small screen.
The second season's premiere last week drew 3.9 million viewers, up 74 percent over the series premiere last year. It also jumped 27 percent over last season's finale, which grabbed 3 million viewers with its initial airing.
Over three airings Sunday night, "Game of Thrones" amassed 6.3 million total viewers, with the 9 p.m. premiere airing alone drawing 3.9 million viewers.
