'Game Of Thrones' Season 5: George R. R. Martin Will Not Write A New Episode In Upcoming Season

With anticipation building for “Game of Thrones” Season 5 (set to premiere in April 2015) fans are eager to learn the fate of their favorite characters (and which ones the show will kill next), which, of course, is all in the hands of author George R.R. Martin. However, for the first time since HBO premiered “Game of Thrones,” Martin will not be writing a script for an episode of the new season.

Martin said he would be foregoing writing for the show this season in order to concentrate on finishing the next book in the “Song of Ice and Fire” series, “The Winds of Winter.” It has been three years since Martin released the last book, “”A Dance with Dragons,” and the author says he is feeling the pressure to get the next one out.

“It takes me about three weeks to a month to write a script, and with all the pressure to finish and deliver 'The Winds of Winter,' I decided my time was better spent finishing the book than taking off three weeks to a month to get a script done," Martin told Digital Spy.

Fans of the television show had better hope strategy pays off. Martin says the HBO show has no bearing on the pace with which he is writing the next book. However the show is already catching up to books, moving well into “A Dance with Dragons” territory with the upcoming Season 5. In fact, fans just found out that two major characters, Bran Stark and Hodor, will not appear in the new season because the show is up to date with their storyline in the books.

Fans may also be missing out with Martin’s screenwriting hiatus. The author has written one episode in each season so far and they have historically been key episodes in the series. Here’s a list of the episodes Martin has penned in the past:

“The Pointy End” Season 1 Episode 8 (Air Date: June 5, 2011)

This episode featured Eddard Stark’s imprisonment after being accused of being a traitor. Sansa begged for her father’s life and made a bargain with Joffrey that set the stage for the next episode’s shocking death (the one that showed fans just how willing Martin is to kill major characters). Khal Drogo was also fatally wounded in this episode during a confrontation with a soldier, setting the stage for Daenerys’ rise to power.

“Blackwater” Season 2 Episode 9 (Air Date: May 27, 2012)

“Blackwater” in Season 2 featured Stannis Baratheon’s attempted invasion of King’s Landing. While Joffrey cowered in hiding, Tyrion led the King’s army against Baratheon’s men, saving the city. However, at the end of the episode he is attacked by a member of the King’s guard on order by Cersei. Podrick, however, saved Tyrion.

“The Bear and the Maiden Fair” Season 3 Episode 7 (Air Date: May 12, 2013)

In this episode Melisandre reveals to Gendry that he is the bastard son of Robert Baratheon; Jaime saves Brienne after Locke and his men throw her in a bear pit; and Theon Greyjoy’s captor castrates him in a memorable shocking scene.

“The Lion and the Rose” Season 4 Episode 2 (Air Date: April 13, 2014)

"The Lion and the Rose" centered on the royal wedding of Joffrey and Margaery in which Joffrey was poisoned and killed at the wedding feast in one of the more shocking moments in the show’s first four seasons.

Are you disappointed that George R.R. Martin will not be writing an episode in Season 5? Tweet your thoughts to @Ja9GarofaloTV