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Game of Thrones: Bryan Cogman's Spinoff Show Not Happening
Bryan Cogman’s Game of Thrones spinoff series will not happen. According to the writer-producer, HBO has decided not to move forward with the project. During Game of Thrones’ eight-season run, Cogman wrote 11 episodes, including the latest installment titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.”
Cogman attended the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, and prior to Game of Thrones, he worked as a writers assistant on the short-lived NBC drama My Own Worst Enemy starring Christian Slater - this coming after he appeared on camera as “Mailman” in two episodes of Comedy Central’s Mind of Mencia. By 2011, Cogman received his first Game of Thrones writing credit for the season 1 episode “Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things.” Cogman later wrote “What Is Dead May Never Die” for Game of Thrones season 2, and he also wrote the season 3 episode “Kissed by Fire.” Since then, Cogman has written numerous Game of Thrones classics, and his series swan song - the aforementioned “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” - has been praised by fans and critics alike for effectively setting up The Battle of Winterfell, which is one of television’s most-anticipated episodes.
Per THR, Cogman won’t be part of any future Game of Thrones-related projects for HBO. During an interview, Cogman discussed his creative approach for “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and gave a surprising answer when asked about future Game of Thrones projects. He said, “My prequel show is not happening and will not happen… I’m working with Amazon now and helping them out with their shows.”
In September 2017, Cogman was officially attached to a Game of Thrones prequel series, one that’s entirely different than the upcoming spinoff The Long Night. During the THR interview, Cogman notes that he’d previously been developing a show with franchise creator George R.R. Martin, but states that “HBO decided to go a different way.” Incidentally, Cogman is now done with Game of Thrones, at least from a professional aspect, as “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” marks his last writing credit, along with his last producing credit. As a whole, Cogman co-produced 39 Game of Thrones episodes. For Disney+, Cogman wrote the upcoming movie adaptation The Sword in the Stone, which is based on the King Arthur legend.
For HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series The Long Night, Jane Goldman wrote the pilot episode. Previously, she’s written feature films like Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class, and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, along with the entire Kingsman franchise. Last October, George R. R. Martin revealed The Long Night as the show's title, and Josh Whitehouse was cast as the male lead in October. Naomi Watts and Miranda Richardson have also been cast in The Long Night.
After such a spectacular Game of Thrones episode, the news of Cogman’s departure may be upsetting for many franchise fans. However, when considering the turbulent production history of Game of Thrones’ original pilot episode - which never aired - HBO’s primary goal for The Long Night will be to produce a pilot that will resonate with fans and set up the series as a whole. Moving forward, perhaps HBO will enlist Cogman for the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series.
