'Game of Thrones' renewed for season 4

It is known: HBO’s Game of Thrones will continue its epic tale into a fourth season.

The network just renewed the show for 10 episodes to premiere next year.

The announcement was expected. Thrones returned to series-high ratings on Sunday night and stands as the network’s biggest current moneymaker. The show’s annual production cost (north of $55 million per season) is offset by strong international and DVD sales. If ratings trends for Thrones and HBO’s top-rated True Blood continue this year, Thrones could replace the vampire drama as the network’s most-popular show.

Creative details for the fourth season have not been announced, but Thrones is expected to primarily use material from back half of the lengthy third book in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire saga, A Storm of Swords, as well as pull in content from other novels in the series.

See EW’s recap of the Thrones season 3 premiere here. And check out our-spoiler free Thrones season 3 interview series below.

17. ‘Game of Thrones’ producers Q&A: Why season 3 is the most epic yet

16. Lena Headey on Cersei’s season 3 fears

15. How Kit Harington conquered his injury to keep Jon Snow fighting

14: Gwendoline Christie on being ‘too pretty’ to play Brienne

13. John Bradley defends fantasy fans

12. HBO: ‘Thrones’ piracy is ‘a compliment’

11. ‘Game of Thrones’ producers on casting Mance Rayder, Lady Olenna

10. Sophie Turner on fans bashing Sansa

9. Jack Gleeson on Joffrey’s season 3 romance

8. Maisie Williams talks Arya’s season 3 adventures

7. Peter Dinklage on Tyrion’s season 3 survival

6. Richard Madden teases Robb Stark’s season 3

5. Emilia Clarke says Dany gets fast-paced season 3

4. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau talks Jaime’s season 3 struggle

3. Rose Leslie: You know nothing about Ygritte’s catchphrase

2. ‘Game of Thrones’ producers on season 3 dragons: They’re not cute anymore

1. EW Cover: ‘Game of Thrones’ wildest season yet! Jon + Dany, an ice and fire pairing