Ned Stark, Oberyn Martell & 12 More Game of Thrones Characters Who’ll Return in 2026’s New Prequel

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As a long-time fan, I’m already marking 2026 on my calendar! With A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and the third season of House of the Dragon on the way, it’s shaping up to be a huge year for the Game of Thrones universe. And now, we’ve got another exciting addition: a brand new prequel play, Game of Thrones: The Mad King. I’m particularly intrigued it’s debuting at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon next summer – a fantastic venue for a story like this.

According to Deadline, the new play will focus on the Great Tourney of Harrenhal and a tragic love story. The story will extend beyond the time of King Aerys II Targaryen, exploring the romance between Jon Snow’s parents, Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, which began at the tourney. This event ultimately sparked Robert’s Rebellion and the downfall of Aerys II. The prequel will also include appearances by some characters fans will recognize from Game of Thrones.

14) Ned Stark

The upcoming Game of Thrones prequel, focusing on the Great Tourney at Harrenhal, will bring back Ned Stark – and that’s great news considering his character didn’t last long in the original series. While he’ll be attending the tourney with his family, he won’t be competing in the jousting events. It will be fascinating to see a younger, less troubled version of Ned and to learn more about his relationships with his siblings, Robert Baratheon, and Catelyn Stark. The series offered hints of these connections, but the play promises to reveal the origins of those bonds.

13) Oberyn Martell

Oberyn Martell is present at the tourney in Harrenhal, but it’s uncertain if he’ll compete. He’s accompanied by his sister, Elia, and their uncle. Elia is the primary reason Oberyn wants to fight the Mountain, as seen in Game of Thrones. It’s good the show will feature Elia, allowing viewers to see the close relationship she has with Oberyn, which will help explain his later anger and sorrow.

12) Robert Baratheon

Robert Baratheon will reappear in the 2026 Game of Thrones prequel play, but audiences will see a very different side of him. The play takes place before the events of the main series and before Robert became king, showing him as a younger man before his flaws developed. Expect to see a charismatic and skilled warrior, as the story focuses on a time when Robert was at his physical peak – highlighted by his participation in a large-scale battle.

11 & 10) Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark

The upcoming Game of Thrones stage play will heavily feature Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, likely portraying them as the ill-fated lovers hinted at in early reports. The play will show Rhaegar winning the tournament, highlighting his character, and detail how he woos Lyanna, ultimately leading to their decision to elope. Given the central importance of their romance to the entire Game of Thrones story, expanding on their relationship makes sense.

9) Benjen Stark

Both Brandon and Benjen Stark join Ned and Lyanna at the tourney in Harrenhal. This introduces another recognizable face from Game of Thrones. At this point, Benjen hasn’t joined the Night’s Watch and isn’t missing like he is later in the story, nor has he become the mysterious undead character seen in the HBO series. The show might portray a more cheerful side of Ned’s brother, offering a welcome change of pace.

8) Jon Arryn

Jon Arryn’s death sets the events of Game of Thrones in motion, but we only briefly see his funeral in the show itself. Fans who watch The Mad King prequel will see Jon Arryn alive and learn more about his close relationship with Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon – he acted as a father figure to both of them.

7) King Aerys II Targaryen

The play, as its title indicates, will feature King Aerys II Targaryen during the events of the Harrenhal tourney. The production might also delve into the Mad King’s story beyond that event, offering a more detailed look at his character. While he only appeared in flashbacks in HBO’s Game of Thrones, and was only described by other characters in the books, this new play has a chance to explore what drove Daenerys’ father, foreshadowing his eventual downfall and even hinting at the tragic path Daenerys herself would follow.

6) Jaime Lannister

Regarding the death of the Mad King, Jaime Lannister attends the beginning of the Great Tourney at Harrenhal, but he’s called back to King’s Landing before the competition begins. At this time, Jaime is still a young man, and the opening ceremony marks his official induction into the Kingsguard. According to George R.R. Martin’s books, there’s already friction between Jaime, Tywin Lannister (who isn’t there), and King Aerys II. It would be compelling if the show emphasizes this tension, as it sets the stage for Jaime’s later actions as the Kingslayer.

5) Barristan Selmy

Barristan Selmy remembers the Great Tourney at Harrenhal firsthand, as he was there and competed in the joust. He even fought against, and was defeated by, Rhaegar Targaryen. Given his reputation as one of Westeros’s greatest knights, the story should really highlight his involvement. In this version, he’ll be portrayed as a younger, even more formidable fighter – and that’s notable, considering how skilled he already is in Game of Thrones.

4) Mace Tyrell

The upcoming Game of Thrones: The Mad King should include a younger version of Mace Tyrell, the father of Margaery and Loras, who will be present at the event. While his role isn’t expected to be large – there’s limited information about him during the Tournament at Harrenhal – he’ll likely be mentioned, as fans of the original series will recognize him.

3) Howland Reed

As a longtime viewer of Game of Thrones, I’ve always been intrigued by Howland Reed. He’s a key Stark ally, fighting alongside Ned during Robert’s Rebellion, but the show really focused on his kids, Jojen and Meera. Thankfully, we did see him briefly in the Tower of Joy flashback, and I’m hoping the new stage play, The Mad King, will finally give him the attention he deserves. George R.R. Martin’s books reveal Howland was actually bullied at a tourney, and Lyanna Stark stood up for him – a moment that needs to be included, especially if Lyanna is a major character. It could even shed some light on who that mysterious knight really was…

2 & 1) Gerold Hightower and Arthur Dayne

In Season 6 of Game of Thrones, the Tower of Joy flashback shows Ned Stark and Howland Reed fighting and defeating Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Gerold Hightower, both of whom die in the battle. Both Dayne and Hightower had previously competed in the tourney at Harrenhal. Ser Arthur Dayne, known as the Sword of the Morning, was a particularly famous and skilled knight in Westeros. The upcoming stage play should definitely feature his jousting match with Rhaegar Targaryen, and could explore his character in more detail, as with other minor figures.

We’re curious – which characters from Game of Thrones: The Mad King would you like to see explored further? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-22 04:42