Game of Thrones’s next sequel idea risks falling into a major TV trap – this is what it should do instead

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I’m so excited! It sounds like ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is really getting close to premiering on HBO and Sky. Plus, we’re hearing more about another potential ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off, and there’s even an update on a project they’ve been working on for a while now. It’s great to see they’re still expanding the world!

It’s no secret that HBO has been developing numerous potential Game of Thrones prequels and spin-offs ever since the divisive final season aired nearly seven years ago. We’ve heard about projects like Flea Bottom, Bloodmoon, Ten Thousand Ships, and Snow, and now there’s yet another one in the works.

It’s understandable why fans of this fantasy series are starting to feel tired and disappointed when new projects are announced. So many ideas are teased but never actually get made, leaving fans feeling let down – it’s a situation Star Wars fans can probably relate to.

Surprisingly, the newest idea for a Game of Thrones show isn’t a prequel, but a spin-off set after the original series. And it’s a bit of a shock: the first spin-off will follow the adventures of Arya Stark, the skilled assassin and a familiar face to fans.

It’s certainly a surprising choice, especially since the character was last shown setting off on a journey on a Stark ship, hinting at a destination beyond Westeros – a place ‘where all the maps stop.’

News about the project surfaced in a detailed Hollywood Reporter profile of author George R.R. Martin. According to an insider, HBO is in the very beginning stages of development, and Quoc Dang Tran, known for his work on Drops of Jupiter, is already involved.

News about the upcoming Stark-focused spin-off series includes its unusual location: a land called Essos, which resembles the Mediterranean but isn’t located near Westeros. So far, no actors have been confirmed for the show, including Maisie Williams.

Depending on when this new show takes place, bringing Arya Stark to Essos could weaken the impact of the already divisive Game of Thrones finale, potentially negating the meaning of her final decision.

Arya had largely achieved her goal of revenge, eliminating most of the people on her infamous kill list, and surprisingly, even defeating the Night King. Now, she was setting off to discover a previously unexplored part of Westeros.

Sending Arya to Essos feels like a missed opportunity. It reduces a meaningful conclusion – her choosing to escape the endless violence that defined her life – to just another plot point. She didn’t leave Westeros to continue fighting; she left to find peace.

Arya’s journey West allows her to leave behind the endless power struggles of Westeros. A potential spin-off series focusing on her would portray her departure as something left unresolved, instead of recognizing her desire for a new purpose and personal development.

If a new show doesn’t honor the original series’ ending, it could undermine a satisfying conclusion that was built subtly over time. For instance, portraying Jon Snow as a worldwide assassin, similar to the Assassin’s Creed video game, would risk damaging the impact of his original story.

After all, franchise spin-offs often mistake emotional closure for exploring unfinished business.

Shows like Obi-Wan Kenobi diminished the emotional weight of long-awaited moments – in this case, Obi-Wan and Vader’s reunion – by shrinking the time that had passed between them. Similarly, The Book of Boba Fett drastically changed a character who was once compelling because of his mysterious nature.

Despite aiming to resolve the controversial finale of the original series, Dexter: New Blood demonstrated how quickly a revival can undo a definitive ending, ultimately leading to Dexter: Resurrection.

Most fans are eager for a sequel focusing on Jon Snow, and a version has been in the works for years. However, the project has faced difficulties. HBO apparently thought the proposed storyline, which depicted a troubled Jon Snow, was too grim and decided against it. Adding to the challenges, Kit Harington, the actor who played Jon Snow, has recently stated he’s moving away from the series.

Making a sequel spin-off is a big gamble for HBO, especially considering the backlash over how the original series ended. Given the success of House of the Dragon and the positive response to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it seems smarter to continue exploring the rich history of Westeros through prequels.

George R.R. Martin has created a rich history spanning over 12,000 years, and there are many exciting eras within it that haven’t been fully revealed yet.

A great option for a prequel would be to tell the story of Robert’s Rebellion, a pivotal event frequently referenced in Game of Thrones, including important moments like the Battle of the Tower of Joy. This era is incredibly compelling, and it would allow fans to finally witness the war that brought down the Targaryen dynasty and put Houses Baratheon, Stark, and Arryn in power.

This section explores the backstories of several established characters, revealing key events like the destruction of King’s Landing and the truth behind the relationship between Jaime Lannister and King Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the “Mad King.”

The story could also delve into Jon’s family history, revealing the secret love affair between Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark – the event that set everything in motion – and the significant Battle of the Trident.

Since ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ connects the stories of ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Game of Thrones’, it makes sense for HBO to next tell the story of the Blackfyre Rebellion, which is known to have significantly influenced ‘House of the Dragon’.

This turbulent time was sparked by the disastrous consequences of King Aegon IV Targaryen declaring his illegitimate son, Daemon Blackfyre, as a legitimate heir. This led to Daemon challenging his half-brother, King Daeron II, for control of the Iron Throne.

The story would feature many compelling characters, including Bloodraven, Bittersteel, and Daemon Blackfyre. It would also introduce Blackfyre, the historic sword of House Targaryen, and detail the origins of the famed Golden Company.

If you’re not keen on more Targaryen rule, another interesting period is the Age of Heroes and the Long Night – a time frequently mentioned by the elders in Winterfell during Game of Thrones.

This era delves into the ancient legends of Westeros, showcasing a decades-long winter and the invasion of the White Walkers from the frozen North. We’d meet important figures like Bran the Builder and Garth Greenhand, and learn more about the enigmatic Children of the Forest. The story would also reveal how the Wall and the Night’s Watch first came to be.

Game of Thrones doesn’t need to revisit its controversial ending with a new spin-off. Arya Stark’s choice to leave and forge her own path was a rare moment of satisfying closure in an otherwise frustrating finale. Turning that powerful decision into another story would undermine the meaningful finality it offered.

Instead of focusing on sequels, HBO is making a smart decision by revisiting the extensive history of Westeros. The world of Game of Thrones is filled with fascinating, unexplored stories and details that haven’t yet been told.

The biggest difficulty now is knowing when a character’s arc, such as Arya Stark’s, has naturally come to an end and resisting the urge to continue it unnecessarily.

The new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will debut on Sky Atlantic and NOW on January 19, 2026. It will also be available on HBO in the United States.

You can watch all eight seasons of Game of Thrones and the first two seasons of House of the Dragon on Sky and NOW. Learn how to subscribe to Sky TV to start watching.

Authors

Nicola AustinFreelance Writer

Nicola Austin is a freelance journalist with a passion for science fiction, fantasy, and animation. She’s written for many publications, including Empire, Digital Spy, and SciFiNow, covering TV and film. And she firmly believes that The Mummy is a classic 90s film.

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2026-01-16 17:39