Summary

  • HBO has six new Game of Thrones shows in development, showcasing the network's commitment to expand the franchise and capitalize on its popularity.
  • The new shows will explore different aspects of the Game of Thrones universe, including a sequel series centered around Jon Snow, animated spinoffs, and stories set in different time periods and locations within Westeros.
  • House of the Dragon, the first Game of Thrones spinoff, has been well-received and broke viewership records for HBO, proving that there is a strong demand for more content in the Game of Thrones universe.

Game of Thrones may have ended in 2019, but there is more of Westeros to explore as HBO has at least six new Game of Thrones shows in development in addition to the successful House of the Dragon. Based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series, Game of Thrones became the biggest TV show in the world across its eight-season run. And although Game of Thrones season 8 proved extremely divisive, the fictional world nonetheless remains one filled with potential for the small screen. It's no surprise there is a push for new Game of Thrones shows to expand the franchise.

As the streaming wars continue, having reliable properties to build on becomes increasingly important. That's why Disney+ has a wealth of Marvel and Star Wars shows planned, and while Game of Thrones' popularity isn't quite on that level, it is one of the biggest things it has to offer current or potential subscribers. It isn't just from a business perspective that this makes sense though. There are countless stories to be told from the universe Martin has created, thanks to his rich, detailed world-building. It remains to be seen just how many new Game of Thrones shows will ultimately happen, but here is what HBO has planned for each new Game of Thrones series in development.

The Jon Snow Sequel Series

Jon Snow heading Beyond the Wall in Game of Thrones finale

In June 2022, HBO announced a new Game of Thrones show that centers around Kit Harington's Jon Snow, following the ending of Game of Thrones and his necessary betrayal and murder of Daenerys and resulting banishment beyond the Wall. Given his own Targaryen lineage and the general feeling that, under the Seven Kingdoms' more monarchy-driven system, he should have been King, there's plenty to explore around his bittersweet sendoff beyond The Wall. There's scope to bring other beloved Starks back into the fold — perhaps once Arya works out what's west of Westeros — and a clear opportunity to provide more Tormund Giantsbane content, given that he's a central figure in Jon's band of Wildling comrades.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight

Tales Of Dunk And Egg

The latest new Game of Thrones show to be confirmed is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, based on the Tales of Dunk and Egg stories. While fans might have expected this new GoT show to retain the title, George R.R. Martin suggested the title change was necessary for fans unfamiliar with the Dunk and Egg novellas. There are three published Dunk & Egg stories so far: The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight.

Set around 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the stories are a little lighter and less epic than the main series, but no less interesting. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight follows Dunk, a hedge knight who eventually becomes Ser Duncan the Tall, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Egg is Dunk's squire, and will one day rule Westeros as King Aegon V Targaryen. Martin has plans to publish anywhere from six to 12 novellas, but with the announcement that he would be heading this adaptation, his writing outside the series will likely take a backseat.

The Golden Empire and Game of Thrones Animated Spinoff

The Iron Throne as seen in Game of Thrones

Two adult animated Game of Thrones spin-offs have been in early development since January 2021. Animated "Histories & Lore" DVD and Blu-ray extras detail aspects of the history of Westeros, so Game of Thrones already has some basis for this, although this show would obviously have far greater scope. While The Golden Empire at least has a storyline to follow, news about the other new Game of Thrones show has been much more scant.

The second show is based on the Yi Ti dynasty of Essos, George R.R. Martin's version of Imperial China (which fans were delighted to hear referenced in House of the Dragon). Given the amount of effects work involved in making Game of Thrones, it is easy to see why animated shows would be an attractive prospect for HBO Max, as it makes CGI-heavy elements such as dragons and direwolves easier to put on screen. Other than the setting, there's very little news regarding The Golden Empire in terms of its story. Either way, both animated spinoffs will be a welcome new medium in the GoT universe.

The Sea Snake

Corlys Velaryon The Sea Snake standing proudly on a beach in House of the Dragon

Another new Game of Thrones show in development, The Sea Snake is effectively a possible spinoff of a spinoff. The show will center around Corlys Velaryon, aka the Sea Snake, who is portrayed by Steve Toussaint in House of the Dragon. HBO clearly expects him to be a breakout character, developing a series built around his Great Voyages. The Sea Snake traversed the oceans farther than most dared, visiting not just the areas of Essos that Game of Thrones viewers are familiar with, but more unknown regions such as Yi Ti, accumulating incredible wealth along the way. Bryan Heller, who co-created HBO's Rome, is part of the creative team.

With House of the Dragon now winning a Golden Globe, interest in the new Game of Thrones show has never been higher. Lord Corlys Velaryon plays an integral part in the series, and his loyalties will inarguably be tested as the Dance of the Dragons moves forward. As House of the Dragon rolls onto season 2, interest in Corlys Velaryon and his past will only grow, as the previously unchronicled House Velaryon is starting to garner a lot of attention. Not much is known about the ancient house in the context of Game of Thrones, as there were no real Velaryon characters in the parent series. The Velaryon line basically dies out with the Dance of the Dragons, but the Velaryon family deserves their day in the sun nonetheless.

10,000 Ships

The Water Gardens in Dorne in Game of Thrones

Another new Game of Thrones show in development is the story of Princess Nymeria of the Rhoyne. The Rhoynar was destroyed by the Valyrian Freehold some 1,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones, leading Nymeria to lead her people to safety and freedom. It's said that she commanded 10,000 ships to sail down the river Rhoyne and away from Essos, and while the number may have been inflated, it was clearly an incredible amount and journey nonetheless.

Nymeria and her fleet traveled for years to find a new safe haven, fleeing Naath because of disease, before finally settling in Dorne. Nymeria married Lord Mors Martell, and together they fought to establish rule over Dorne, eventually turning it into the principality it is during Game of Thrones, complete with princes and princesses as rulers rather than kings and queens. Nymeria's story is among the most fabled in Westeros history, and is connected to Game of Thrones by Arya's direwolf, who was named after the princess. Person of Interest's Amanda Segel will write 10,000 Ships, but no other creative team has been confirmed.

Flea Bottom Was Canceled

The High Sparrow in Flea Bottom

King's Landing's Red Keep was often a key focal point of the show, but another area of it was supposed to take center stage in a Game of Thrones spinoff based in Flea Bottom, a slum that plays home to most of the city's brothels and less-than-savory drinking establishments. It was known for both its poverty and crime, but is also where several key Game of Thrones characters originated, including Davos Seaworth and Gendry. It's unclear exactly what story would've been told in Flea Bottom, since it'd be more original than based on Martin's previous works, but that meant there were plenty of avenues to go down, showing another side to life in Westeros. HBO is clearly eyeing all possible areas for Game of Thrones spinoffs, but for reasons unknown decided to cancel this particular one.

Why Bloodmoon Was Canceled

The Night King and White Walkers in Game of Thrones

In the summer of 2018, HBO announced that they were working on a new Game of Thrones show set 8,000 years before the events of its predecessor. The project, known as Bloodmoon, was supposed to be guided by writer Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass) and starred Naomi Watts in the main role. The series was supposed the chronicle The Long Night and introduce the White Walkers in their earliest stages. Then, the show was abruptly taken off of HBO's roster — but why? The main concern of the network was how the content of the show would hold up in terms of popularity against Game of Thrones based on its subject matter.

In short, there's very little to work from when it comes to the previously written content about the Age of Heroes and The Long Night. In George R.R. Martin's novels, The Long Night is usually mentioned in passing, and it's an unreliable legend at best. Game of Thrones' final season faced considerable backlash, and from season 5 onward, the series started to dwindle. Rather than make the same mistake with Bloodmoon by making up a new story, show creators decided to go a different route by adapting Fire and Blood, an established tale covering the Targaryen civil war, which has now taken the form of House of the Dragon.

The Game Of Thrones Spinoffs Have Started Well

House of the dragon daemon rhaenyra targareyn game of thrones jon snow daenerys

House of the Dragon broke viewership records for HBO, and even caused the HBO Max service to crash upon its release. The first season consisted of 10 nail-biting episodes, chronicling the beginning of the end for the mighty House Targaryen. If House of the Dragon proves anything, it's that audiences are ravenous for more Game of Thrones content — and studios are off to a running start. The new Game of Thrones show has become an outright sensation, bringing in fans old and new. While more insulated than its parent show, the Game of Thrones spinoff has set the bar for every spinoff that will come after it.

Fans of the new Game of Thrones show now have undeniable proof that House of the Dragon is a stellar entry to the GoT universe thanks to its recent Golden Globe win. Game of Thrones itself won a total of five Golden Globes during its eight-season run, and it's possible that House of the Dragon could be hot on its heels. HotD had plenty of contenders to go up against for this prestigious award, such as Ozark, Better Call Saul, The Crown, and Severance. Beating a critically acclaimed drama like Ozark in particular is no easy feat for the fledgling fantasy series. Since House of the Dragon has had such a successful run so far, that can only mean good things for all the new Game of Thrones spinoffs.

Game Of Thrones Spin-Offs That Fans Want (But That Are Not In Development)

Arya on a ship in the finale of Game of Thrones

Even with all the Game of Thrones shows in development, there are still plenty of spinoffs fans are hoping will be announced. In some cases, they want to continue on with some of the characters they love from the original series and follow them on new adventures. What happened to Arya Stark after the Game of Thrones finale seemed to be set up as a perfect spinoff as she was last seen sailing off to explore whatever was west of Westeros. This spinoff would allow the timeline of the show to move forward without having to expand on the other characters and plots of the original series.

Of course, George R.R. Martin has established some exciting events in the history of Westeros worth exploring with Robert’s Rebellion being one topic fans would like to see explored in depth. There is also the first battle between the First Men and the White Walkers in the story of The Long Night which could make for a horror centric spinoff. However, the original series may have ruined the draw of stories like these. In terms of Robert’s Rebellion, the audience already knows so much about it, including the big twists, that a series might be redundant. Meanwhile, the White Walkers turned out to be less interesting than initially thought so it is doubtful Game of Thrones fans would be eager to explore them more.