When it comes to HBO greenlighting new seasons of their shows, an announcement doesn’t usually come until the current season gets going and the network can see how the numbers are looking. This also goes for Game of Thrones, especially given the show’s massive budget.

That said, everyone has assumed that a season four of the show based on George R.R. Martin‘s “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series has been locked in for a while now, despite no official confirmation yet. This is because not only is it one of the most popular series on TV, but because season three—which premieres on March 31st—only covers half of the massive third book in the series, A Storm of Swords, while the first two seasons covered the first two books in their entirety.

Now, according to one of the actors on the show, it’s looking more and more likely that the waiting is just procedure.

Charles Dance, who plays Tywin Lannister on the show, spoke at a press conference for the release of Game of Thrones season two on Blu-ray and DVD.

Here’s what he had to say:

Now, obviously they likely always have scripts ready to go early, even if there’s a chance the show could get canceled. But it does feel like everyone is preparing to get right back to it a little later this year.

Again, given the popularity of the show and the necessity of season four to make sure the third book is covered at least, it’d be stunning if HBO didn’t renew. But it’s still nice to have little bits of reassurance such as this.

Far too many people have seen their favorite shows end unexpectedly, and Game of Thrones in particular is one that would be devastating to so many people—both longtime fans of the book and newer fans—who have developed an intense relationship with these characters and this story and want to see it played out as fully as possible.

For now, we can only squirm with these painful last few weeks of waiting for the new season, and hopefully that season four announcement within the next month!

[Source: Den of Geek via Fanhattan, Collider]