“Game of Thrones” remains the most-watched show in HBO history, making it no surprise that yet another spinoff is imminent. This time it’s about Jon Snow.
The network is already releasing “House of the Dragon” in August, which takes place during the Targaryen civil war several hundred years before “GOT” unfolds. Now HBO is producing a second followup to their money-making series about one of the most popular characters, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Kit Harington’s portrayal of Jon Snow in the original series earned him two Primetime Emmy award nominations and one Golden Globe nomination. “GOT” presented him as the bastard son of Ned Stark, who raised him as his own. But eventually audiences learned that Jon was truly Aegon Targaryen and had a potential claim to the Iron Throne. The “GOT” finale had Jon Snow banished from Westeros and sent to live North of the Wall with the Wildlings.
While “GOT” was based on George R.R. Martin’s books, this new series represents the network going in new directions, similarly to what Disney did with the “Star Wars” franchise, THR noted. While many characters are dead after the finale, it’s logical to assume at least some of the survivors, including Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), and Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) could make appearances in the new project.
THR noted that this news brings the “GOT” spinoff count to seven current projects in development, including the upcoming “House of the Dragon.” Other live-action prequels previously announced are “10,000 Ships” (a.k.a. “Nymeria”), “9 Voyages,” and “Dunk and Egg.”
There are also three animated prequels in development, including “The Golden Empire” set in a China-inspired land called Yi Ti.
“Game of Thrones” was massively popular but many fans hated the eighth season, especially the ending. This makes it notable that a sequel about Jon Snow would take place after those events. Peter Dinklage, who played Tyrion Lannister on the series, discussed his thoughts on fan pushback during an interview in December, The Daily Wire previously reported.
“[Fans] wanted the pretty white people to ride off into the sunset together. By the way, it’s fiction. There’s dragons in it. Move on,” the actor said.
Dinklage blamed shortcomings on the fact that Martin’s books weren’t finished yet when the finale was created.
“The show subverts what you think, and that’s what I love about it,” Dinklage continued “Yeah, it was called ‘Game of Thrones,’ but at the end, the whole dialogue when people would approach me on the street was, ‘Who’s going to be on the throne?’ I don’t know why that was their takeaway because the show really was more than that.”