screenshot-2022.06.19-02_57_561655621876537.jpg

Jon Snow is returning for his own sequel series, which leaves the door open for several other Game of Thrones characters to return in the spinoff. Following Game of Thrones’ divisive finale in 2019, HBO has maintained an interest in expanding the universe, with several prequel spinoffs already in development ahead of Jon Snow's sequel series. Along with the 2022 Targaryen-centric House of the Dragon prequel series, spinoffs like The Sea Snake, Ten Thousand Ships, The Golden Empire, and The Tales of Dunk and Egg are all in the works. However, the Jon Snow sequel series is the first of Game of Thrones’ spinoffs to follow one of the characters from the original drama.

Although no title has been confirmed, the Jon Snow spinoff will bring back Kit Harington to play the iconic TV character. Since Game of Thrones’ 2019 ending, Harington has joined the MCU alongside his former TV brother Richard Madden (Robb Stark’s actor) in the superhero movie Eternals, but it seems the actor will have a tough time shaking his associations with Jon Snow. The end of Game of Thrones saw Jon Snow kill Daenerys Targaryen after she slaughtered King’s Landing, with his punishment being life at the Night’s Watch (again). After Jon arrived at Castle Black, the final scene of Game of Thrones featured the character leading a host of free folk beyond the Wall, now free as the Night King and White Walkers were destroyed.

It’s unclear what Jon Snow’s spinoff series would entail in terms of conflicts, but a new story about the rise of a King Beyond the Wall seems like the most probable answer. Since the majority of Game of Thrones’ main characters died by the series finale, there aren’t too many figures who could return for Jon’s story. Even among those who survived Game of Thrones season 8, the endings for a few characters suggest it wouldn’t fit well for them to appear in Jon’s story beyond the Wall. Since Arya Stark is traveling “west of Westeros,” Samwell Tarly is the Grand Maester, and Brienne of Tarth is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, these characters aren’t apt to be seen traveling beyond the Wall or appearing at Castle Black. While it’s still possible that they could make cameos, there are a few other Game of Thrones characters who can return for Jon Snow’s spinoffs in more organic manners.

Tormund Giantsbane

screenshot-2022.06.19-03_00_091655622009002.jpg

With Jon Snow’s story taking him beyond the Wall with the free folk, it seems inevitable that his Wildling friend Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju) will return as an ally in his new story. The final scene of Game of Thrones saw Tormund waiting for Jon to arrive at Castle Black before the two rode off to the true North with the rest of the free folk, so whatever threat arises for Jon Snow beyond the Wall is apt to also be faced by Tormund. As one of the best-received characters from Jon’s storylines, Tormund is the perfect Game of Thrones character to return in the sequel series. If anything, this would mean more stories of Tormund pining for Brienne of Tarth, which was one of the more amusing running gags of the original show.

Ghost

screenshot-2022.06.19-03_01_391655622099224.jpg

Game of Thrones’ final scene had an especially heartwarming moment when Jon returned to Castle Black to reunite with Ghost, the direwolf he had since the show’s pilot episode. While Game of Thrones largely omitted the Stark children’s ability to warg with their direwolves outside of Bran, the Jon Snow spinoff can finally address this book trait more directly with Ghost. As the only Stark direwolf from Game of Thrones’ pilot known to still be alive (Nymeria’s fate was unconfirmed), the Jon Snow spinoff has an incredible opportunity to dig deeper into the family’s connection with the animals, particularly in terms of the close bond between Jon and Ghost. The direwolf was last seen traveling beyond the Wall with Jon in Game of Thrones, so it seems like a given that Ghost will also return for the spinoff.

Sansa Stark

screenshot-2022.06.19-03_03_171655622197319.jpg

Sansa Stark’s (Sophie Turner) Game of Thrones ending was particularly powerful, as she used her influence to finally designate the North as an independent kingdom again. Following its exit from the Seven Kingdoms, Sansa Stark was crowned Queen in the North, where she took over her father’s seat at Winterfell. As the leader of the North, Sansa is one of the most significant Game of Thrones characters who could easily appear in Jon Snow’s spinoff. The Queen in the North is apt to arrange meetings with men of the Night’s Watch and leaders of the free folk as they share lands and threats. Sansa and Jon had finally come to terms as loving siblings (or, cousins) at the end of Game of Thrones, so it would make sense for her to take quick trips to the Wall to see her older brother.

Bran Stark

screenshot-2022.06.19-03_04_571655622297354.jpg

Much like how Sansa Stark’s return for Jon Snow’s spinoff would make sense, an appearance from Game of Thrones’ King of Westeros, Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), would also be reasonable. Not only is Bran the ruler of Westeros and Jon’s younger brother, but he’s also the Three-Eyed Raven, so he wouldn’t even have to leave King’s Landing in order to see Jon. While Bran no longer rules over the North, he would still have to make trips to Winterfell in order to discuss diplomatic matters with Sansa, and would likely need to stop at the Wall to check on the Night’s Watch, which remains his territory. A Jon Snow spinoff would likely see more soul searching from Harington’s character and the desire for information about his past, and these answers could be given by Bran Stark as the Three-Eyed Raven.

Ygritte

screenshot-2022.06.19-03_07_131655622433717.jpg

While Ygritte (Rose Leslie) died in Game of Thrones season 4 when Olly shot her with an arrow, she was the only woman that Jon Snow truly loved aside from Daenerys (which became complicated once he discovered she was his aunt). The red-haired Wildling would have a much more pronounced impact on Jon Snow as he reconnects with the free folk and explores her old home beyond the Wall, opening the door for Ygritte to return in the spinoff through flashbacks or visions. Game of Thrones largely strayed from the use of flashbacks outside of Bran’s time-traveling as the Three-Eyed Raven, but a Jon Snow spinoff could freely use this storytelling device with new showrunners. Kit Harington is also married to Rose Leslie in real life, so it would be much easier to recruit the actress to reprise her role for the Jon Snow spinoff series.

Tyrion Lannister

screenshot-2022.06.19-03_09_291655622569071.jpg

As the Hand of the King, Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) will be tasked with many of the responsibilities that Bran isn’t able to perform, which may include lengthy travels to Castle Black. Jon and Tyrion bade a heartfelt goodbye to one another in the Game of Thrones season 8 finale, but Tyrion mentioned that this wouldn’t be the last time they saw one another. Referencing the time the two spent together at Castle Black in Game of Thrones season 1, Tyrion explained that they’d see each other again the next time he wanted to urinate off the Wall, thus setting up a fitting cameo for the character in Jon Snow’s spinoff.