HBO is expanding itsGame of Thronesfranchise, but the many planned spinoffs overlook a core part of the original show. Even prior toGame of Thrones’ ending, HBO was looking at ways to continue things, exploring various prequel options. One,Bloodmoon, based on the Long Night, made it to the pilot stage, before being scrapped despite a reported $25-30 million being spent on it. So far, onlyHouse of the Dragonhas actually made it to the screen.
That will change withA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ releaselater in 2025, though it’s not actually a bad thing. The network is clearly taking its time to assess the many different options it has, only green lighting something when they’re really happy with it - a somewhat rare degree of patience in a world where franchises are king. Still, with so manyGame of Thronesspinoffs in development, one thing about the plans is surprising.
Game Of Thrones Spinoffs Are Ignoring House Stark
There’s Surprisingly No Spinoff Centered Around Them
So far,HBO’s focus for spinoffs has largely been on House Targaryen. That’s true of bothHouse of the DragonandA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, as well as thein-development Aegon’s Conquest show. There’s also an animated series about Corlys Velaryon, set beforeHOTD, which could happen too, which is at least somewhat related to the Targaryens, given he is of Valyrian descent. The scope does expand beyond the house of the dragon, though, such as Princess Nymeria leading her people, the Rhoynar, to Dorne (albeit a story that includes a Valyrian conflict), and a series set in the golden empire of Yi Ti.
Status
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
An adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s The Tales of Dunk & Egg novellas
Season 1 releasing in 2025 on HBO and Max
House of the Dragon
Ongoing Game of Thrones prequel, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war, the Dance of the Dragons
Season 3 expected in 2026; season 4 will be the last
Aegon’s Conquest
The story of King Aegon I Targaryen and the conquest of Westeros with his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya
In-development
10,000 Ships
A spinoff about Princess Nymeria, who led her people the Rhoynar to Dorne after a war with the Valyrian Freehold
Nine Voyages
An animated show about Corlys Velaryon’s Great Voyages, where he sailed around the Known World
The Golden Empire(unofficial)
An animated show set in empire of Yi Ti, which is in the far East of Essos
Another live-action Game of Thrones spinoff
Another animated Game of Thrones spinoff
A Game of Thrones movie
What’s notably missing from all of those is a focus on themembers of House Stark.Game of Throneshad many great characters, butthe Starks were its ultimate heroes. They were the one set of people who without question were beloved and that audiences were supposed to root for, whose words, “Winter is coming,” helped define the show, and the family’s tragic fall and eventual rise was the emotional core of the series.
It’s understandable why they’ve mostly looked at House Targaryen: Daenerys is arguably the most recognizable figure from the show, and as far as selling points and iconography go, it’s difficult to beat dragons.
Given the popularity of characters such as Jon Snow, Arya Stark, and Sansa Stark, it’s a little surprising, if not necessarily a bad thing - there’s no Stark-centric spinoff in the works. The North remembers, but it seems that HBO - outside a brief role for Lord Cregan Stark inHouse of the Dragonand, of course, thecanceled Jon Snow sequel(though that likely wasn’treallyabout House Stark) - doesn’t remember the North.
House of the Dragonseason 3is expected to release on HBO and Max in 2026.
It’s understandable why they’ve mostly looked at House Targaryen: Daenerys is arguably the most recognizable figure from the show, and as far as selling points and iconography go, it’s difficult to beat dragons.They’re also the family in power for most of Westeros’ modern history and, crucially, the most fleshed-out by George R.R. Martin thanks toFire & BloodandThe Tales of Dunk & Egg. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t House Stark stories worth telling.
There Are House Stark Stories Worth Telling
The Starks' History Goes Back Thousands Of Years
House Stark’s history isn’t as detailed as House Targaryen’s, but that shouldn’t be a barrier to making a spinoff following them. While any spinoff would have to find the right story to make it worthwhile and there’s not the same obvious option as, say, Aegon’s Conquest or the Dance of the Dragons,there are interesting Stark characters from throughout historywhere it may be possible to find a show.
A major example would be Brandon the Builder, the founder of House Stark, and the man who, legend has it, built both Winterfell and the Wall.
A major example would be Brandon the Builder, the founder of House Stark, and the man who, legend has it, built both Winterfell and the Wall. It’s possible he could actually have appeared inBloodmoon, given he dates back to the Age of Heroes, but delving into the origin of House Stark could itself be fascinating, especially the chance to see what really happened versus the surrounding legends. (I’ll also admit that I’d happily see HBO have another attempt at making a Long Night show.)
Alternatively, there’s someone like Theon Stark, a former King in the North who led the fight in multiple conflicts. This includes defending the Northduring the Andal invasion, and repelling the Ironborn; he fought in multiple battles and is one of the greatest Starks to have lived, so there’d be plenty of action and a compelling hero at its center.
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IfA Knight of the Seven Kingdomsruns more than three seasons, and/or Martin writes anotherDunk & Eggnovella, the Starks could play a bigger role there. Martin had long intended to write a story calledThe She-Wolves of Winterfell, about a group of formidable women that Ser Duncan and Egg would encounter at Winterfell, which could make for a great story of its own. However, it depends on the show’s long-term success (and likely Martin’s writing) to get there.
Or, of course, there’s aGame of Thronessequel about Arya Stark. This would be the best way to continue the main show, since it’s separate from everything. She’s one of the show’s greatest characters, and very much set up for more great adventures, which can introduce new locations and characters and be fresh enough to stand apart. ManyGame of Thronesspinoffs are coming; maybe Winter should be too.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
