With the second season off to an impressive start in the ratings, HBO has given the early green light to a third season of Game of Thrones, which will air next year.

“Series creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss raised our expectations for the second season - and then surpassed them,” said HBO boss Michael Lombardo, announcing the Season 3 pickup of the epic fantasy.

“We are absolutely thrilled by all the viewer and media support we’ve received for the series, and cannot wait to see what Dan and David have in store for next season.”

The Game of Thrones season premiere drew a record 3.9 million viewers, while this past Sunday's second episode, "The Night Lands," barely lost any of that audience, clocking in at 3.8 million.

Follow these links for our official review and Round Table discussion of the most recent installment, and check back often with TV Fanatic for all the latest GoT news, spoilers and commentary.

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.