when does episode 3 start, run times, trailer and latest news

It’s been a long time since the penultimate season of Game of Thrones came to an end - zombie dragon and all - but at last the hit fantasy epic has returned. Although, we're still not quite sure if we're ready for what's to come after watching episode two, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

One unconditional guarantee is the absolute spectacle that awaits us. With a handful of feature-length episodes - including the finale at 80 minutes long - it's safe to say these episodes (which reportedly feature the most complex sequences ever filmed for television) will be the best of the monumental show's best.

With the first two episodes having finally been broadcast in UK, HBO have released another tantalising - if not terrifying - trailer for the next episode.

Here’s everything we know so far about season 8 of the hit fantasy epic.

When does the next episode of Games of Thrones start?

HBO's Game of Thrones returned for its final season on Sunday April 14 in the US and April 15 for us, technically, as it was simulcast at 2am on Sky Atlantic.

What time is episode 3 on TV in the UK next week?

Game of Thrones will air every Sunday on HBO at 9pm Eastern time in America, while UK fans can tune into Sky Atlantic in the early hours of Monday morning at 2am or watch the replay at a more reasonable time of 9pm on Monday night.

You can find out more about how to watch Game of Thrones in the UK in our handy guide.

How many episodes will there be in season 8?

The eighth season will be the shortest yet; only six episodes, making it shorter than the penultimate season (seven episodes) and much shorter than the first six seasons of the show (which had 10 episodes each).

How long will each episode be?

While the eighth season will only have six episodes, some of them will be much longer than the one-hour slot they’ve filled in previous seasons. The first couple of episodes, however, have been disappointingly short: 

• Episode 1: 54 minutes
• Episode 2: 58 minutes
• Episode 3: 82 minutes
• Episode 4: 78 minutes
• Episode 5: 79 minutes
• Episode 6: 79 minutes

As noted by Winter Is Coming, the first episode was also the only one without an ‘Adult Content’ warning — the calm before the storm, perhaps? 

In a crushing blow for Thrones fans, however, HBO head of programming Casey Bloys has hinted there could be another agonising wait between the end of Game of Thrones and the beginning of the first spin-off show, saying “you’re not going to see anything air anytime close to the season 8 finale.”