HBO just confirmed that "Westworld" season 2 is returning to the network for its second season with a total of ten episodes. The high viewership of the show makes it a contender to fill the gap that exiting "Game of Thrones" will be leaving, potentially catapulting the premium network back as Emmy leader.

"Westworld" is a sci-fi Western that revolves on a futuristic theme park that are ran by robots. Visitors who can afford the fee will be able to fulfill their wildest fantasies. The park is managed by Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins) who primarily commands the robots and controls the park. The show is based on a book by Michael Crichton with the same title.

"Westworld" debuted in Oct. 2 and it has since garnered a good following, even besting the "Game of Thrones" and "True Detective" in their first season telecasts. "Westworld" had an average view of 11.7 million including live-plus-same-day views, HBO Go and HBO Now Streams in its premiere telecast.

It is not surprising that HBO programming president Casey Bloys have confirmed that the ambitious science fiction is coming back for another season with a full ten episodes. Bloys even consider "Westworld" as the "big and important building block" for the network as reported in Hollywood Reporter.

"Westworld" is believed to fill the void that "Game of Thrones" will be leaving after the airing of season 8. The "Thrones" will be back by summer 2017 for its seven episodes season 7. Moreover, creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will not be contending in the 2017 Emmy's as it waits for winter weather to start productions for its season finale.

"Westworld" is set for a 2017 release but Bloys have hinted that an early 2018 telecast may be a more practical time, given the "scale of the shooting" according to the Independent. This will not be the first time that "Westworld" have experienced telecast delays.

First season was supposedly slated for an August 2013 premiere and as a series by November 2014. "Westworld" debut episode was then moved to 2015, but was further delayed as filming was temporarily halted to allow creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy to catch up with the writing. It was Nolan who pushed for a 2016 debut, which the network eventually approved.

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Topics Westworld, HBO