HBO is in “very early development” on a Game of Thrones spinoff starring Arya Stark, following the collapse of a previous sequel idea that would have featured Jon Snow.
The Hollywood Reporter broke word of the project today in a detailed profile of Thrones author George R.R. Martin, who declined to comment on the unannounced project in detail.
Still, the report makes clear that this idea is being developed by HBO with a writer already on board (Quoc Dang Tran, who previously worked on Apple TV series Drops of God). No actors are cast, however — including Maisie Williams, who played Arya previously.
The report suggests the project is something of a replacement for the network’s previous hope at mounting another Game of Thrones sequel series, this time starring Kit Harington’s character Jon Snow. Details of that show’s on-and-off development have sporadically come to light over the years, though today’s report includes some significant new details.
Firstly, it’s reported that Harington personally pushed for a dark take on the series which saw Snow living alone “as a broken man with PTSD.” After discarding his sword Longclaw and chasing off his direwolf Ghost, Snow would have spent time building cabins only to burn them down.
Most surprising of all was Harington’s idea that he didn’t want to play a hero, and wanted Jon Snow to ulimately die. Today’s report states that it was HBO who ultimately baulked on continuing the project, considering Harington’s take as too downbeat.
The years since have seen Harington say the project didn’t happen as no story good enough could ever be agreed. Last month, the actor then suggested he was done with Jon Snow altogether, replying the following when asked if he’d reprise the role for an audiobook: “No, god no. I don’t wanna go anywhere near it. I spent 10 years doing that. Thanks, I’m alright.”
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Still, Snow’s character would have provided an easy route into the Game of Thrones world for new viewers — geographically separate, and alone from the rest of Thrones’ surviving cast. Now, HBO reportedly hopes to pull off a similar trick with Arya — last seen by herself, setting sail for adventure — with a tale based in the continent of Essos.
How far this project develops still remains to be seen, but with a Marvel-style roadmap of upcoming seasons announced for House of the Dragon and new spinoff Knight of the Seven Kingdoms until 2028, it’s clear HBO sees Game of Thrones as a major franchise for years to come.
Image credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
