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Summary
Game of Thronesentered the zeitgeist and spawned many spin-offs in the years that followed. It was a cultural phenomenon from 2011 to 2019, hence the fandom desired more adaptations of the vast lore. Notwithstanding the disappointing final season, HBO saw potential in theGame of Thronesmedia franchise and greenlit more of George R. R. Martin’s works to be adapted into a series.
As a result,House of the Dragonpremiered with high ratings, and the fandom currently awaitsA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Both prequels are set in completely different eras, and more spinoffs are being developed. The world of Westeros is a quasi-medieval fantasy, yet each spinoff should be considered a period piece that will reflect the values of the era it is set in. Here are some helpful notes that date the upcomingGame of Thronesspinoffs.
Aegon’s Conquest (Live-Action Format)
Aegon’s Conquest is the starting point ofall things Targaryen. In 2 BC, Aegon, with the aid of his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys, launched a campaign to conquer seven independent kingdoms and to unify them into a single political unit with the Targaryens as the hegemon. Though House Targaryen was skillful and strategic, they won their war of conquest mainly because of their three dragons.
Aegon’s Conquest is an interesting tale of powerand the imposition of Targaryen rule on most of the Seven Kingdoms. It is in development, with Martin’s involvement with writer Mattson Tomlin attached to the project. PerTHR, Tomlin confirmed he is “in touch” with Martin, saying:
“I figured out a way to make it [Aegon’s Conquest] personal. And a lot of what won me the job was relating it to real life. […] I had things to say beyond, “the dragons come.” And that’s not an easy thing to do, because you’re also trying to do a faithful adaptation in which the dragons come. And so having something to say that was really personal, I think that that’s why he in part chose me. […]
I’m in touch with George all the time, and I feel really, really lucky to just have the God of this world in my texts […] So it’s all with respect and reverence and just what I want more than anything is to get to make this show and have it be something that he’s extremely proud of.”
Varietyreported in April 2023 that HBO was eyeing Aegon’s Conquest as a potentialGame of Thronesspinoff, and in February 2024,THRreported that Tomlin was attached to the saidThronesproject. The series must be developed as a gateway to theGame of Thronesfranchise. Other than receiving an update from its writer,HBO has yet to greenlightAegon’s Conquest. For now, it is safe to say that Aegon’s Conquest is in development at the network.
House of the Dragon(Live-Action Format)
A hundred years into the Conquest,the Targaryens wage a war among themselvesfor control of the Iron Throne. It so happens that after King Viserys I Targaryen’s death (the fifth Targaryen king after Aegon, Aenys I, Maegor I, and Jaehaerys I), a female heir is to take the Iron Throne. She, Rhaenyra, First of Her Name, is empowered by her father through a decree. The twist is that Viserys had remarried the daughter of his Hand, Otto Hightower, Alicent. She bears him a son, Aegon, and three more children: Helaena, Aemond,and Daeron Targaryen. In the ensuing conflict at court, Rhaenyra’s camp (the Blacks) and Alicent’s camp (the Greens) try to concentrate power in their hands.
House of the Dragonhas aired two seasons so far, and despite a dull dud second innings after a two-year gap, it is still a popular fantasy show. It has been renewed for Season 3, with leads Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower,Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen, and Ewan Mitchell’s Aemond Targaryen expected to return.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms(Live-Action Format)
A Knight of the Seven Kingdomsis a niche tale that takes amore lighthearted approach to Martin’s dense and intricate lore. It looks immersive in Max’s 2025 Trailer and creates a believable world, led by a Hedge Knight and his Targaryen princeling squire.
While still set in an era where House Targaryen had the Iron Throne, and simultaneously dealing withthe serious threat of the Blackfyre traitors, Martin placesA Knight of the Seven Kingdomson a slice-of-life scale. On hisNot a Blogwebsite, the author says:
“The Hedge Knight will be a lot shorter than Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon, with a much different tone.”
However, he also adds that"no one is truly safe"in Westeros.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdomsshould be a realistic depiction and representation of everyday life in the fantastical land of Westeros. With Maekar Targaryen’sblessings, the wandering knight,Ser Duncan the Tall, will accept Prince Aegon (fondly known as Egg) as his squire. As they traverse Westeros, Duncan will teach Egg about valor, discipline, and honor.
The Golden Empire (Animated Format)
The Golden Empireis the working title of an animated spin-off that, if greenlit, will explore the Golden Empire of Yi Ti, a nation located in the far East of Westeros’neighboring continent, Essos. The ethnic group(s) associated with Yi Ti, known as YiTish, built an infallible, advanced, and unconquerable empire. By virtue of the Golden Empire being the longest-standing civilization in the world, it deserves an honorable spot in the successor shows ideas. In March 2022, Martin updated the fandom on Not a Blog:
Over on the animated side…well, I am not allowed to talk about most of what’s happening, except to say that things are moving very fast […], 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.
10,000 Ships (Live-action Format)
Earlier in June, Martin provided a crucial update about thepreviously scrappedGame of Thronesprequel idea:10,000 Ships. PerNot a Blog, the pitch idea has been revived with playwright Eboni Booth working on it. Martin was all praise for Booth, writing:
She’s an amazingly talented young playwright […] she has been kept busy by me and HBO, working on a new pilot for Ten Thousand Ships, a Game of Thrones spinoff about Nymeria and the Rhoynar. We’re all very excited about this one… though we’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to pay for ten thousand ships, three hundred dragons, and those giant turtles.
10,000 Shipswill focus on the founder of Dorne, the fabled warrior-queen Princess Nymeria, who led the Rhoynar refugees to Dorne. Her descendants of House Martell,such as Prince Oberyn, embody her ferocious spirit and tenacity. Lore holds that the Daynes and the Martells descend from the Princess.
The Sea Snake (Animated Format)
The Sea Snakeis a spinoff in the works that will focus on the eponymous seafarer and his great voyages.House of the Dragonfans may recall that the Sea Snake,Lord Corlys Velaryon, was married to Eve Best’s Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
Lord Corlys was also one of the key allies of the Targaryen kings, such as Jaehaerys I and Viserys I. He briefly distanced himself from court after Viserys I chose Alicent Hightower over his daughter Laena, but dominated the military force and political sphere in his younger days. Corlys currently holds the title of Queen Rhaenyra’s Hand, but the potential successor show will focus on his early years, especially life at sea.The Nine Voyagesare an important aspect ofHouse of the Dragonlore and provide a backdrop for why the Sea Snake is feared and respected. Corlys, aboard the Sea Snake, explored lands further east of Essos and brought home exotic goods such as spices, silk, and many more ships.
The Sea Snakespinoff will provide the perfect complement toHouse of the Dragon. In an interview withEsquire, actor Steve Toussaint, who plays Lord Corlys, responded to The Sea Snake (formerly Nine Voyages) spinoff series' shift to the animated format. Toussaint said:
There are battles coming. We’re going to war, so hopefully you get to more of it then. But I was excited about the spin-off. I knew it wouldn’t be me, because I can’t play twenty-one anymore. [Laughs.] But if it’s animation, I’m going to put my hand in there and say, “Please let me do the voice.” I haven’t heard anything more about that.
The Mentalistcreator, Bruno Heller, is on the creative team. For now,House of the DragonSeason 3 andA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsare confirmed to join the network’s lineup in the coming years.
