There used to be a time when sequels and part-2s were a rare commodity, and you’d be lucky to get one in the same decade. But we are living in the age of spin-offs and sequels. Production houses are churning out spinoffs of their most popular franchises, and Game of Thrones couldn’t not be one of them. The massively popular TV series enraptured a whole generation of audiences and left us wanting more. And 2022 brought tons of news in the developments of several new Game of Thrones spin-offs. Here’s all we know about them so far.
House of the Dragon
The show took everyone by storm and exceeded most audience’s expectations. House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of its Game of Thrones and follows King Viserys I’s and his daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s, ascension into adulthood and the maddening politics which follow. Season 1 was as intensely dramatic as one would hope and brought in a stellar cast.
The series is renewed for a second season and is expected to last for a total of 4 seasons. House of the Dragon will follow the events of the book Fire & Blood, which is a documentation of the worst civil war in the history of Westeros, the ”Dance of the Dragons.”
Read More: A new BTS picture from House of The Dragon teases a deleted scene with young Rhaenyra
Aegon the Conqueror prequel
The prequel about Aegon I Targaryen, also known as Aegon the Conqueror, has had a bit of a confusing history. Back in late 2022, a report from THR said that it had been scrapped at the last moment. Attached to the project as writers were Rand Ravich and Far Shariat (The Astronaut’s Wife). The script portrayed Aegon as a “drunken lout.”
However, the prequel seems to be back on now. A new report from Variety in April 2023 says that HBO is actively discussing a Game of Thrones prequel about Aegon I Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros. No writers are attached yet, since it is in early stages of development. However, we may get a film based on this premise, which would then lead to the series. Nothing is set in stone, yet, but this is the synopsis Variety gave:
“The show would tell the story of how Aegon and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, used their army and their three dragons to conquer six of the seven kingdoms on Westeros with the exception of Dorne. In doing so, Aegon I became the first king of Westeros, the first to sit on the Iron Throne, and the founder of the Targaryen Dynasty. Those events took place approximately 300 years prior to the events of “Game of Thrones.”
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight (Tales of Dunk and Egg)
A century before @GameofThrones, there was Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.
Executive produced by George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal, and Vince Gerardis, A Knight of the #SevenKingdoms: The Hedge Knight has received a straight to series order. #StreamOnMax pic.twitter.com/MRPUke5Upt
— Max (@StreamOnMax) April 12, 2023
George R. R. Martin has written and published 3 novellas under this series titled: The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight. The events of these books are set roughly 70 years before Game of Thrones. The author wishes to release around six to twelve novellas in the series. HBO has announced A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight as a new prequel already, coming to HBO’s rebranded streaming service, Max.
The story follows Ser ‘Dunk’ Duncan the Tall, a hedge knight who eventually becomes Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and his squire Aegon ‘Egg’ Targaryen, the fifth of his name, who eventually becomes the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. In the story’s beginning, Dunk’s only goal is to roam the lands looking for men to kill and food to eat. Soon he meets Egg, who convinces him to take him in as his squire. The pair then goes on many adventures together. The show will have six episodes in its first season, George R. R. Martin has confirmed.
Previously Steve Conrad was heard to be attached as the writer and executive producer under his Elephant Pictures banner.
More: Everything you need to know about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight
SNOW
With the working title of SNOW, the Jon Snow spin-off is still shrouded in mystery. All we know is that it’s happening, and Kit Harrington sits at the decision-making table. The show is expected to follow Jon Snow after he was exiled from the Seven Kingdoms to beyond the wall. Emilia Clarke and George R.R. Martin have revealed that it was Kit Harrington himself who pitched the idea of the show.
The Jon Snow spin-off is still in the very early stages of development, but loads of fans are hoping it makes its way on air. Kit Harrington recently joked on Jimmy Fallon, “we would see a ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off right now with Jon Snow” if the viewers would stop bothering him about it.
Bloodmoon
Bloodmoon was one of the earliest spinoffs to be announced. It was set 8,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones but the writers had barely a few lines of lore from the books to go off of. The show would begin in the golden Age of Heroes and follow the world’s descent into darkness. Bloodmoon’s pilot was shot for approximately $30 Million but was ultimately scrapped.
The then-chairman of WarnerBros., cited the reason for the cancellation being “It wasn’t unwatchable or horrible or anything. It was very well produced and looked extraordinary. But it didn’t take me to the same place as the original series. It didn’t have that depth and richness that the original series’ pilot did.”
Read More: Jamie Campbell Bower talks about canceled Game of Thrones prequel ‘Bloodmoon’
The Sea Snake (Animated Spinoff)
House of the Dragon has introduced us to the main character of the spin-off (previously titled The Nine Voyages), Corlys Velaryon. Martin said the change was because “we wanted to avoid having two shows with numbers in the title.”
The prequel follows the Great Voyages of Corlys Velaryon, considered the greatest seafarer of the Seven Kingdoms and brought the House Velaryon immense wealth through said voyages. George R. R. Martin has confirmed this show is in development. This spinoff is the furthest in development so far, with Bruno Heller (creator of The Mentalist) currently reported to be writing a pilot script for the same. Previously a live-action, it is now being developed as an animated show.
Ten Thousand Ships
This show will be based on Princess Nymeria, who lived 1,000 years before GoT’s events and is considered a legendary warrior. She was an ancestor of House Martell, who founded Dorne, and after she travelled from Essos to Dorne, she ordered the 10,000 ships in her fleet to be burnt so there would be literally no turning back to their home.
Recently, many fans noticed that Startling Inc., which frequently collaborates with George’s projects, had removed both Ten Thousand Ships and The Sea Snake from the list of shows under their development. But Martin has previously said on his blog that Amanda Segel would be the series’ showrunner and “has turned in a couple drafts, and we’re moving forward.”
Read More: Sea Snake (Corlys Velaryon) spinoff show is still in under development, confirms George R.R. Martin
The Golden Empire and other animated series
This show will be set in the faraway lands of Yi Ti, the Imperial China of the GoT Universe. Having an animated series will certainly ease the high CGI budget needed for the live-action spinoffs.
“I am not allowed to talk about most of what’s happening, except to say that things are moving very fast, and I love love love some of the concept art I am seeing,” Martin said on his blog. “The news leaked several months ago that one of the animated shows would be set in Yi Ti. That’s true. Our working title is The Golden Empire, and we have a great young writer on that one too, and I think the art and animation is just going to be beautiful. I would tell you more if I could. I don’t think I can say a word about the other animated shows. Not yet.”
Flea Bottom
Flea Bottom was set to be a show which depicted the lives of the dwellers of King’s Landing’s slum and perhaps a few rags to riches/honor stories. Notably, Ser Davos Seaworth also hailed from the slums. But The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2021 that this spinoff had been officially cancelled.
Honorable Mention: Histories & Lore
Histories & Lore is a series of animated short videos included in the Blu-Ray release of every Game of Thrones season. There are a total of 121 shorts that serve as a crash course of sorts for A Song of Ice and Fire universe.
Which spinoff were you most excited about? Let us know on our discord server.
Read Next: Steve Toussaint teases the beginning of House of The Dragon Season 2’s production
