George R.R. Martin has confirmed that he is not meeting his deadline on the sixth book of the popular Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, according to a statement on his blog.  As a result, the storyline of the Emmy-winning HBO series Game of Thrones will overtake the novels beginning with the sixth season.

This marks a break from previously announced plans by US publisher Bantam Spectra and HBO for The Winds of Winter to be available in March 2016.  Two separate deadlines were offered (the original and an extended one) to achieve this publishing schedule; Martin has missed both deadlines.  "It will be done when it's done," he wrote in his statement.

Martin also confirmed that, as in season five, story elements will appear that are not in the books (see "Geek TV News Round-Up").  "Some of the 'spoilers' you may encounter in season six may not be spoilers at all," stated Martin.  "The show and the books have diverged, and will continue to do so."

The sixth season of Game of Thrones premieres April 2016.  We share here an image of Bran Stark in Season 6, from Entertainment Weekly, and below, a video teaser for the new season.