Game of Thrones season 8 trailer is finally here

It’s here. The long-awaited Game of Thrones season 8 official full trailer has arrived at last (above) after months of brief clips and teases from HBO.

Among many other things, the trailer gives a first look at the show’s massive battle that lasts an entire episode and is expected to be the longest consecutive action sequence in cinema history.

Fans have been waiting nearly two years for the final season of the Emmy-winning HBO drama — which returns next month — and anticipation for the trailer has been through the roof with viewers clamoring on social media for the video in response to every drop of news about the upcoming season.

Among the trailer teases is a frantic Arya running from unseen pursuers (“I know death, he’s got many faces, I look forward to seeing this one”), and then later demonstrating a whirlwind of fighting moves. There’s also a smug Cersei at the Red Keep, Sansa reacting to Dany’s dragons, a confirmation that Jaime Lannister joins the Winterfell battle (“I promised to fight for the living, I intend to keep that promise”), Jon and Dany walking purposefully toward waiting dragons, and much more.

For more about the big battle glimpsed in the trailer, read EW’s new cover story going behind the scenes of season 8 in Belfast while the action was being shot amid some tough conditions that put all the stars of the show to the ultimate test (“you’re broken as a human,” as Maisie Williams put it). The story is also spoiler free.

We also launched our cast portraits gallery, which has some gorgeous photos and all sorts of storyline teases from the cast (such as this from Kit Harington about the looming news of Jon Snow’s parentage: “The end of the world might be coming soon, but at least he’s in love with somebody and knows who he is — and then comes a sledgehammer”).

The trailer comes on the heels of EW releasing its massive GoT issue with 16 different covers and 78 pages of exclusive stories and photos from Westeros. Get your copy now.

Game of Thrones returns April 14. EW.com will have daily coverage up until launch and through the season. Follow @jameshibberd for GoT scoop.

Get your copy of Entertainment Weekly’s biggest Game of Thrones issue ever: 78 pages of exclusive stories and photos on the past, present, and future of the HBO hit. Buy your choice of 16 different covers now, or pick up the issue on stands Friday. Don’t forget to subscribe for more exclusive interviews and photos, only in EW.

Related content:

• Read EW’s complete coverage ofGame of Thrones‘ final season
• See all of EW’s epic Game of Thrones covers
• Game of Thrones first look: Inside the brutal battle to make season 8