All 3 Game Of Thrones Shows In Development Explained

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Game of Thrones may have ended in 2019, but that wasn't the last audiences have seen of Westeros, as HBO has at least three spinoffs in development. Based on George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series, Game of Thrones became the biggest TV show in the world across its eight season run in the 2010s, so it's no surprise that the network is looking to expand on the IP. Game of Thrones season 8 proved extremely divisive, but the world nonetheless remains one filled with potential for the small screen.

HBO has been developing Game of Thrones spinoffs since May 2017, when a total of five ideas from different writers were being discussed. One of those, from Martin and Jane Goldman, had the production title Bloodmoon and was set to take place during the Age of Heroes, building to The Long Night. While a pilot for the show, which would've starred Naomi Watts, was filmed, the network decided not to move ahead with the series. That, however, wasn't the end of the plans.

As the streaming wars continues, having reliable properties to build on becomes increasingly important. That's why Disney+ has a wealth of Marvel and Star Wars shows planned, and while Game of Thrones isn't quite on that level - and nor are HBO's plans - it is one of the biggest things it has to offer current or potential subscribers. It isn't just on a corporate level that this makes sense, though, because there are countless stories to be told from the universe Martin has created, thanks to his rich, detailed world building. It remains to be seen just how many Game of Thrones spinoff shows will ultimately happen, but here is what HBO has planned.

House Of The Dragon

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Created by George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal (Colony), with the latter serving as co-showrunner alongside Game of Thrones director Miguel Sapochnik, House of the Dragon will adapt a portion of Martin's Fire & Blood book, telling the story of House Targaryen hundreds of years before the events of Game of Thrones. House of the Dragon will star Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, whose death leads to a civil war over the succession to the throne that splits Westeros in half. Known as The Dance of the Dragons, this tears House Targaryen into two sides - the Greens and the Blacks - with the former supporting the claim of the would be Aegon II, and the latter rallying behind his half-sister, Rhaenyra, and Westeros itself divided between those two factions. Emma D’Arcy will play Rhaenyra, while Matt Smith takes on the role of Daemon Targaryen, her uncle-husband who supports her claim. Olivia Cooke, meanwhile, will portray Alicent Hightower, daughter of Viserys' Hand, Otto. House of the Dragon is expected to debut on HBO sometime in 2022, and eventually stream on HBO Max as well.

Tales Of Dunk & Egg

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In January 2021, it was reported that a Game of Thrones spinoff based on Tales of Dunk & Egg was in the early stages of development. The Dunk & Egg stories are a series of novellas written by George R.R. Martin, with three published so far: The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight. Set around 90-years before the events of Game of Thrones, the stories are a little lighter and less epic than the main series, but no less interesting. The series follows Dunk, a hedge knight who eventually becomes Ser Duncan the Tall, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Egg, his squire, who will one day rule Westeros as King Aegon V Targaryen. Martin has plans to publish anywhere from 6-12 novellas, and has previously downplayed the idea of an adaptation happening before the books are finished, which remains a long way off as he continues work on The Winds of Winter first.

Game Of Thrones Animated Spinoff

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An adult animated Game of Thrones spinoff was also reported to be in early development in January 2021. No other details are known, other thing HBO is accepting pitches from writers for it. Game of Thrones already has some basis for this, with animated "Histories & Lore" segments on the DVD and Blu-ray extras detailing aspects of Westeros history, although this would obviously have far greater scope. Given the amount of effects work involved in making Game of Thrones, it is easy to see why an animated show would be an attractive option, making CGI-heavy elements such as dragons and direwolves easier to put on screen. The animated spinoff is also said to have a similar tone to Game of Thrones. HBO is clearly eyeing all possible avenues for Game of Thrones spinoffs, and want to develop more still over the next few years.