HBO's sword and sorcery epic is heading into the final furlong with just two seasons to go. Here are all the details we have on season 7 and when and where you can watch Game of Thrones in the UK.

When can I watch Game of Throne Season 7?

The Thrones team needed cold weather for filming (winter really is coming) so season 7 is screening several months later than usual. UK fans will be able to catch the opening episode at the same time as the rest of the world with a special 2am simulcast on Mon 17 July (ie late Sunday night), it will then be repeated at 9pm the same day for folk who aren't as obsessed (the fools!).

How can I watch season 7 in the UK?

Sky Atlantic are the official broadcaster in the UK. GoT will also be available on their On Demand catch up service, NOW TV and via iTunes.

How many episodes?

This is the penultimate series but sadly it's also the shortest yet with just seven episodes. 2018's season 8 will be even shorter with just six, so we really are hurtling towards the end game with just 13 episodes before the finale.

Who's starring in season 7?

Fan favourites including Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey), Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), Arya Stark (Maisie Willimas) and Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) are all back. New cast members include Jim Broadbent (in a 'significant' role) and Tom Hopper as Dickon Tarly (ie Sam's brother). Plus cameo appearances from Ed Sheeran, Brent Hinds (Mastodon) and indie popsters Bastille.

What can we expect?

Unsurprisingly HBO are keeping story details super secret. We've also overtaken the plot of George RR Martin's novels so it's a mystery. What we do know is the war for the Iron Throne is building after the brutal' Battle of the Bastards' and the explosive 'The Winds of Winter' that ended season six. It looks like Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) will finally meet, the White Walkers are still threatening the North and the fate of Westeros will finally be decided. Though this being Game of Thrones expect a few twists, turns and an unexpected death or two (or three or four or five … ).

What next for Game of Thrones?

George RR Martin is still working on the sixth novel in his A Song of Ice and Fire series which is expected to cover similar ground. GoT is HBO's most popular show of all time so it should come as no surprise that after season eight in 2018 they want to return to Westeros. HBO have announced they are working on five spin off series with a team of writers (including Max Borenstein (Kong: Skull Island), Brian Helgeland (Mystic River), Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass, X-Men) and Carly Wray (Mad Men). Though Martin has admitted that it's very possible some will fall by the wayside stating on his blog: 'Decades of experience in television and film have taught me that nothing is ever really certain … but I do think it's very unlikely that we'll be getting four (or five) series. At least not immediately. What we do have here is an order for four – now five – pilot scripts. How many pilots will be filmed, and how many series might come out of that, remains to be seen.'

Game of Thrones: Season 7 premieres Sky Atlantic, Mon 17 July, 2am.