HBO is exploring a potential Game of Thrones spinoff centered on one of the main characters of the original series.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network has entered into early development on a live-action Game of Thrones spinoff that will continue the story of fan-favorite character Jon Snow (Kit Harington) following the event of the original series.
If it was picked up to series, the project would be the first-ever sequel to Game of Thrones, which ran from 2011 to 2019 on HBO. After the series finale, the network focused on developing prequels instead of expanding the franchise through sequels.
One of those prequels is House of the Dragon, which is set to premiere on August 21st. Game of Thrones prequel projects that remain in development include Dunk and Egg with showrunner Steve Conrad as well as 9 Voyages, aka The Sea Snake, with showrunner Bruno Heller.
Deadline noted that the network’s shift in strategy comes after the recent WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, which brought in new leadership over various WarnerMedia divisions, including HBO.
Who will star in the Game of Thrones spinoff?
Harington will reprise his role as Jon should the Game of Thrones spinoff move forward.
In the eighth and final season of the original series, Jon found out that he’s actually Aegon Targaryen, a potential heir to the Iron Throne. But after murdering Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) at the end of the series finale, Jon was exiled from Westeros and journeyed North of the Wall with the Wildlings to leave his old life behind.
Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju), one of Jon’s close Wilding allies, was with him at the conclusion of the series, so it won’t be surprising if Hivju ended up coming back for the potential Game of Thrones spinoff.
And since Jon’s adopted siblings Arya (Maisie Williams), Sansa (Sophie Turner), and Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) are all alive at the end of the original series, the trio, as well as other surviving characters in the TV adaptation, may also reappear in the potential Game of Thrones spinoff.
When will the Game of Thrones spinoff be released?
A source told Deadline that the potential Game of Thrones spinoff is still in the exploratory stage, so it’s too early to tell whether it will be picked up to series and eventually be released on HBO.