Game of Thrones fans should probably prepare for the final season to be the most epic of them all.

The long-delayed eighth season is slated to debut on HBO in 2019, and while fans have wondered why the show is taking such a long break between the penultimate and final season, one of the show's co-creators has opened up about why it's delayed.

"The final season is taking a long time because it's the biggest thing we've ever done," David Benioff said backstage at the 70th Emmy Awards Monday night.

"Even though it's six episodes, it was nearly a full year in Belfast either prepping it or shooting it," he continued.

"It's quite extraordinary what the crew and the actors created, and I think when people see it they'll understand why it took so long.

"No-one's going on vacation or slacking off, it's just that last season is far beyond what we've ever attempted before, and it is taking a really f**king long time – and I hope it will be worth it."

Simply put, everything we're hearing about these final six episodes has us very excited, but it would be great to know a definite return date.

While Benioff addressed the delay, Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke were asked how the show has changed their lives.

"I met my wife on this show, so in that way, it gave me my future family and my life from here on in," said Harington, who got married to former co-star Rose Leslie in June.

"That's the main thing it did for me. It's changed it completely. You could not ask for a better job to take you through your 20s than to be an actor on 'Game of Thrones.' "

"Yeah, really similar, apart for the wife bit," added Clarke.