‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’ Prequel Play Coming to the Stage This Summer

by

For some time, a Game of Thrones stage play has been in the works. Now, The Hollywood Reporter has revealed the details. Titled Game of Thrones: The Mad King, the play is set roughly ten years before the start of the HBO series. It centers around the Tournament at Harrenhal, a gathering of Westeros’s noble houses to mark the end of a harsh winter. The play will debut this summer at the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s hometown.

Duncan Macmillan wrote Game of Thrones: The Mad King, and Dominic Cooke is directing it. George R.R. Martin, the author of the Song of Ice and Fire novels that inspired Game of Thrones, will be an executive producer on the play. Martin stated he chose the Royal Shakespeare Company because of Shakespeare’s influence on his writing and his skill in staging battles – a challenge they now share. He’s enthusiastic about seeing the story come to life on stage and believes the play will appeal to both existing fans and newcomers to his world. He praised Macmillan’s script for faithfully capturing the spirit of the series.

The Tourney at Harrenhal is a pivotal event in the history of Westeros, marking the beginning of Robert’s Rebellion – the war that ultimately leads to the world of Game of Thrones. By this time, King Aerys Targaryen, known as the “Mad King,” was increasingly erratic, and rumors suggest nobles gathered at the tourney to discuss options for the future of the throne. A surprise appearance by the king himself, who hadn’t left the Red Keep in years, added to the tension. We see younger versions of familiar characters like Robert Baratheon, Jaime Lannister, and Ned Stark involved in the unfolding drama. A key moment occurs when Rhaegar Targaryen, the king’s son, chooses Lyanna Stark – who was promised to Robert Baratheon – as the Queen of Love and Beauty. This act intensifies existing conflicts and sets off a chain of events that culminates in Robert Baratheon taking the Iron Throne and the Targaryens being exiled – the situation we see at the beginning of the TV series.

As a big fan of Game of Thrones, this play seems like everything I could ask for – plenty of plotting, exciting action, and a touch of romance! The directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, explained that while the story will be epic and grand like Game of Thrones, it’s ultimately a story about people and their feelings, which I think is really cool.

‘Game of Thrones’ is the Latest Franchise to Expand Into Theater


HBO

Next year, 2026, will see the release of a third Game of Thrones show, titled The Mad King. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is finishing up its first season now, and HBO has confirmed that House of the Dragon will return for a third season this summer. After a quiet 2025, the Game of Thrones universe is making a big comeback this year.

HBO seems committed to building on the world of Game of Thrones, and is already developing more spin-off series, even beyond the one focusing on The Mad King. This move to stage productions puts Game of Thrones in the same company as massive franchises like Harry Potter – which launched Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as a play in 2016 – and Stranger Things, which premiered Stranger Things: The First Shadow on stage in 2023.

MovieWeb Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters

Immerse yourself in the cinematic universe with the latest movie news, reviews, and exclusive content from MovieWeb.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our
Terms of Use
and
Privacy Policy
. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Tickets with priority access to see Game of Thrones: The Mad King will be available starting April 14th. We haven’t announced the official opening night yet.

Read More

2026-02-18 23:47