What a relief for us ‘Game of Thrones’ fans — we don’t have to worry that our favorite fantasy mini-series won’t get renewed!

HBO, which runs the show on its network, has committed to keep on producing and running the intense and complicated series for as long as George R. R. Martin, who wrote the original books, keeps on writing.

Since there are already five books written with two more promised by the author, us Thrones fans have now been given one less anxiety in our lives. We WILL get to watch how the drama unfolds between the Stark, Lannister, Targaryen, Baratheon, Arryn, Greyjoy, and Martell families.

“We told George we’d go as long as he kept writing,” HBO co-president Richard Plepler said to critics at the semi-annual Television Critics Association press tour.

Phew!

Now, having not read the books yet, I was pretty shocked and upset when Eddard Stark, the very heart of the story, was beheaded by the evil young king Joffrey Baratheon, but I’m prepared to keep the faith as are the millions of other fans.

Take a look here at new set photos for the next season, which begins airing in 2012. But, filming for season two already started on July 25!

–Bonnie Fuller