All Game of Thrones spinoffs — Everything you need to know about the prequel and sequel shows

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 right from the pilot episode and left us wanting more. And 2024 brought tons of news in the developments of several new Game of Thrones prequel and spin-offs. Here’s all we know about them so far.

House of the Dragon

Credits: Max

• Status: Season 3 being written, Season 2 to premiere soon
• Last update: 15/05/2024 – Writing started, says Ryan Condol

The show took everyone by storm and exceeded most audience’s expectations. House of the Dragon is a prequel series set 200 years before the events of its Game of Thrones and follows the story of House Targaryen. It portrays the story of King Viserys I, his brother, Daemon played by Matt Smith and his daughter, Rhaenyra played by Emma D’Arcy. It shows Rhaenyra’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 along with showrunner Ryan Condal and screenwriter Ira Parker. It also introduces us to one of the prominent characters from House Velaryon, the sea snake, Corlys Velaryon played by Steve Toussaint.

Following a straight to series order in October 2019, and a successful season 1, the series is renewed for a second season set to release on June 16, 2024 and is expected to last for a total of 4 seasons. House of the Dragon will follow the events of the book Martin wrote, Fire & Blood, which is a documentation of the worst civil war in the history of Westeros, the Dance of the Dragons. The trailer for the second season of the drama series also featured future king Aegon along with the added cast of Simon Russell Beale, Freddie Fox, Gayle Rankin and Abubakar Salim.

Surprisingly, House of the Dragon season 3 is already in the script stage. Fans are excited to witness how the epic civil war in House of the Dragon culminates. After the release of the season 2 trailer showrunner Ryan Condal confirmed it. Recently, he had an interview with Entertainment Weekly which noted:

“Condal confirms they are deep into writing a third season in the event that HBO decides they want it. They have to plan that far in advance, he explains, otherwise, it would be impossible to maintain a schedule of one new House of the Dragon season every other year. Now that he’s deep into the adaptation, the show’s endgame comes more and more into focus.”

Read More: A new BTS picture from House of The Dragon teases a deleted scene with young Rhaenyra

Aegon the Conqueror prequel

Credits: Amok Amokov

• Status: In Production
• Last Update: 09/04/2024 – Writer Mattson Tomlin provides update

The prequel series 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 series 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 series about Aegon I Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros. After many setbacks the prequel series is currently in production. Writer Mattson Tomlin has been assigned to the project. 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.”

With the thrones universe expanding, fans are thrilled to fan-cast actors to their favorite characters. The most popular fan-casting for Aegon I Targaryen is Henry Cavill. The actor has known for his intense and talented performances in series and movies alike. Some of his best work has been portraying Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher and Superman in Warner Bros’ DCEU movies.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Credits: HBO

• Status: Filming Starts on 03/06/2024
• Last Update: 08/05/2024 – Black Mirror director joins the spin-off

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 wrote and published three 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, based on these Dunk and Egg stories, coming to HBO’s rebranded streaming service, HBO Max. HBO announced the official synopsis for the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight:

“A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”

These Dunk and Egg stories follows Ser ‘Dunk’ Duncan the Tall, who is the future Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and his squire Aegon ‘Egg’ of house Targaryen, the fifth of his name, who eventually becomes the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. In the story’s beginning, Dunk’s only goal, 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. The casting for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight has finished already and the drama series is set to start filming on June 3, 2024. The title was later changed to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Martin confirmed actor Peter Claffey has been cast as Ser Duncan and Dexter Sol Ansell has been cast as Egg. On his blog, Not A Blog, Martin announced:

“We have our hedge knight. And he has his squire. Peter Claffey will play Dunk. He’s a former professional rugby player turned actor. And he’s tall. Ok, maybe not quite as tall as Ser Duncan the Tall, but still plenty tall, and with the magic of television… His readings were terrific. I think you’re going to love him.

As Egg, we’ve cast Dexter Sol Ansell. Most recently seen in the HUNGER GAMES prequel, but he’s got an amazing amount of experience for his age. I am told he cannot wait to shave his head. (Love that sort of commitment). His auditions were wonderful as well. Peter and Dexter. They should make one hell of a pair. 

Many more parts to cast, of course, but we’re seeing some great candidates. More news soon, I hope.”

More: Everything you need to know about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight

SNOW

Credits: HBO

• Status: Cancelled
• Last Update: 10/04/2024 – Kit Harington reveals show is cancelled

With the working title of SNOW, the Jon Snow thrones spinoff series is still shrouded in mystery. All we know is that it’s happening, and Kit Harington 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 Harington himself who pitched the idea of the show.

The Jon Snow spin-off was cancelled in it’s stage of early development, but loads of fans are hoping it makes its way on air eventually. Kit Harington 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. There were high hopes for the show to get the green light from HBO but was cancelled for being stuck in developmental hell.

Samwell Tarly becomes the Grand Maester to King Bran in King’s Landing in the final season of Game of Thrones. What happens after is a mystery and the Jon Snow sequel series might have more answers. Fans thought that the show finally got the green light when John Bradley was asked in a recent interview with ComicBook.com, “what was more likely, definitive proof of alien life, or a reunion between Sam and Jon?” His reply although vague, it gave fans hope.

Bloodmoon

Credits: HBO

• Status: Cancelled
• Last Update: 07/02/2024 – Images of Morven from House Casterly revealed

Bloodmoon, written by Jane Goldman 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 episode 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.”

Recently, some images surfaced of Naomi Watts portraying a character, Morven from House Casterly. This created a lot of hype among the fans. To fuel the excitement, the storyboard artist who worked on Bloodmoon and House of the Dragon, Adam Pescott, released several etchings from the canceled prequel. After reviewing several images, a novel theory popped up, hinting at a Stark-Lannister wedding. Regardless of these images of Naomi Watts, the Starks and more, the show is still said to be cancelled.

Read More: Jamie Campbell Bower talks about canceled Game of Thrones prequel ‘Bloodmoon’

The Sea Snake (Animated Spinoff)

Credits: Max

• Status: In Development
• Last Update: 15/04/2023 – Martin confirms The Sea Snake is not cancelled

House of the Dragon has introduced us to the main character of the spin-off (previously titled The Nine Voyages), Corlys Velaryon played by Steve Toussaint. Martin said the change of title from The Nine Voyages to The Sea Snake 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 creator 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 but will still feature Steve Toussaint. Martin mentions that the show has not been cancelled but has not been completely approved either.

Ten Thousand Ships

Credits: HBO

• Status: Cancelled
• Last Update: 24/04/2024 – Brian Helgeland reveals plot of 10000 Ships

This show will be based on warrior queen 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.”

Due to the recent changes of HBO Max, some of the Game of Thrones spinoff series were cancelled. 10000 ships was one of them. Brian Helgeland, famous for writing scripts for films like L.A Confidential and A Knight’s Tale has hopes that the show might take off in the future. He revealed more details about the plot and also mentioned:

“I met with George R.R. Martin to pitch him the idea, which he signed off on. Sadly, I didn’t work with him closer, but I would have done if the show was picked up,” he continued. “It was kind of like Ray Harryhausen’s Sinbad films mixed with ‘The Odyssey.’ In a way, Nymeria is Odysseus, but instead of a 12-person crew, she’s responsible for every citizen in this floating city-state. My work is still there if HBO wants to pick it up. I enjoyed my time developing it, and you just never know.”

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

Credits: Henrik Zahringer

• Status: In Writing
• Last Update: 09/03/2022 – Martin mentions the show is being written

The Golden Empire will be set in the faraway lands of Yi Ti, the Imperial China of the GoT Universe located in the far east of Essos. Having an animated series will certainly ease the high CGI budget needed for the live-action spinoffs. Martin confirmed that the show is being written by a young writer.

“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

Credits: HBO

• Status: Cancelled
• Last Update: 14/08/2020 – Live action Flea Bottom, cancelled

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 series had been officially cancelled.

Honorable Mention: Histories & Lore

Credits: HBO

• Status: Released
• Last Update: 06/03/2012 – Conflict between the Children of the Forest & the First Men

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