In light of Britain's decision to opt-out from the European Union (EU), HBO brushed off rumors on Friday that the move will also lead to the end its hit series Game of Thrones.
In an official statement released by the US channel network, it clarified that Britain's choice will have "no material effect" on Game of Thrones' production, which is being partly filmed in Northern Island.
"We do not anticipate that the result of the EU referendum will have any material effect on HBO producing Game of Thrones," the network, a unit of Time Warner Inc., said.
Concerns had been raised following reports that HBO's most watched series would lose its EU funding, and production could be affected because of disappearing tax breaks or subsidies, The Hindu News reported.
HBO clarified that the company was indeed granted funding by the EU's European Regional Development Fund when it was starting out. However, the EU has no longer contributed to its $10 million per episode budget for the past few seasons, according to The Independent.
Deadline reported that the series is funded by NI Screen and Invest NI and is also enrolled in the UK Film and TV Tax incentive programs, which are not affected by the Brexit vote.
NI Screen also released a statement confirming that "Northern Ireland Screen's production funding comes from the Northern Ireland Executive through Invest NI and does not use monies provided from European funded programs."
"We look forward to business as usual," the organization wrote.
The series adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books is currently in its sixth season. It portrays a fantasy tale of seven kingdoms and royal families vying for power.
