George RR Martin regrets not staying ahead of Game of Thrones with the books: ‘I never thought they would catch up with me’

George RR Martin has expressed his regret over not staying ahead of Game of Thrones with his books, lamenting the fact that the HBO show ‘caught up’ with him.

In April 2019, the final episode of Game of Thrones season eight aired, dividing fans as it was finally revealed who ended up on the Iron Throne after eight years of bloody battles and cunning campaigns.

Even though the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series was published in 1996, fans are still waiting for the sixth book, The Winds of Winter, to be published, which will then be followed by A Dream of Spring.

Martin recently received an honorary doctorate at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, as a former graduate of the institution.

While speaking to local news station WTTW News about the honour, he explained that while Game of Thrones changed his life ‘in mostly good ways’, he does wish that the fantasy series hadn’t caught up with him.

‘It changed my life, in mostly good ways – although looking back, I wish I’d stayed ahead of the books,’ he said.

‘When they began that series, I had four books already in print, and the fifth one came out just as the series was starting… I never thought they would catch up with me, but they did.’

The author added that it was ‘a little strange’ when Game of Thrones ‘caught up with me and passed me’, because the show ended up ‘going in somewhat different directions’.

‘I’m still working on the book, but you’ll see my ending when that comes out,’ he said.

During a recent interview, Emilia Clarke, who played the Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen in the epic saga, admitted that she understood why fans felt ‘p***ed’ over the season eight finale.

In the final episode, Daenerys – having torched King’s Landing – is killed by Jon Snow (Kit Harington), her lover and nephew, as he realises he cannot stop her path of destruction.

Many fans were disappointed by Daenerys’ fate, as she was previously depicted as being more level-headed as a ruler.

‘I get it. I get why people were p***ed. I totally get it,’ Emilia told Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

‘But me being the actor, you can’t do justice to the character that you’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into for a decade without getting on the same page. Do you know what I mean? So like, I’m not going to be there being like, “Fine, I’ll do the scene, whatever. So p***ed.”’

Game of Thrones is available to watch on Sky and NOW.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke reveals the one Daenerys Targaryen scene she’d change

MORE : House of the Dragon: Game of Thrones prequel ‘looks spectacular’, HBO boss teases