After more than a year of teased photos, leaked plot developments and endless theories, the official trailer for the final season of Game of Thrones has finally arrived.

And yes, winter is definitely here.

With just over a month before the epic HBO fantasy series begins its eighth and final season, long suffering fans have been given a tantalising taste of the epic battle for Westeros they’ve been waiting for.

The trailer opens with Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) running for her life from an unseen threat.

“I know death, he’s got many faces. I look forward to seeing this one,” she says, hauntingly.

The footage then sweeps across the seven kingdoms, all in the depths of an icy winter as armies preparing for battle and Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) stares in wonderment as dragons soar above the northern stronghold of Winterfell.

Jon Snow (Kit Harington), meanwhile, is still banging on about the impending battle against the White Walkers and their army of undead, warning: “They’re coming. Our enemy doesn’t stop, doesn’t tire, doesn’t fear.”

And in a glimpse of the scope of the impending struggle, and a potential rift in the Lannister family, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) appears to be set to abandon scheming sister Cersei (Lena Headey) and her ruthless manoeuvring for the Iron Throne.

“I promised to fight for the living,” Jaime declares. “And I intend to keep that promise.” 

Also featured in the trailer are Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, John Bradley as Samwell Tarly, Conleth Hill as Varys, Isaac Hempstead Wright as Bran Stark, Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, and Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth.

The trailer concludes with the White Walkers’ Night King hoving into view as he leads his undead army south of the wall.

Watch the official trailer below:

Fans have waited months longer than usual for the next instalment of Game of Thrones as producers needed winter settings for all their regular filming locations.

The final season will be comprised of just six longer episodes instead of the traditional eight.

Former HBO boss Richard Plepler said the instalments would be akin to “movies” rather than TV episodes, with each running for 90 minutes instead of the usual 60.

HBO previously released a teaser for the final season, which depicted Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, and Jon Snow negotiating an underground crypt at Winterfell before coming face-to-face with their own likeness in statues, as a frost approaches through the tunnels.