Another Game of Thrones prequel is moving forward in the development process, as Dunk & Egg gains a writer/executive producer. Even before fantasy giant Game of Thrones came to an end in 2019, HBO was very interested in developing additional projects set within author George R.R. Martin's expansive world. Numerous spin-off shows have been put into development in recent years, but few have made real progress. The Long Night, which cast Naomi Watts as its lead, never made it past the filming of the pilot. A prequel series centered on the Targaryens, House of the Dragon, is set to be the first Thrones spin-off; it'll premiere on HBO next year.

As HBO gears up for that release, there are still at least four spin-offs in the works. One of them is Dunk & Egg, a series based on Martin's Tales of Dunk & Egg novellas. It was first put into development earlier this year. Set about 90 years before Game of Thrones, the novellas focus on the adventures of hedge knight Dunk and his squire Egg, who one day becomes king of Westeros as Aegon V Targaryen. Dunk & Egg is being positioned as a more lighthearted addition to the Game of Thrones canon.

Though there have been few updates since its initial announcement, Dunk & Egg has just taken a major step forward. Per Deadline, the series has gained a writer and executive producer in Steve Conrad. As a screenwriter, Conrad has amassed credits both in film and on television. He's perhaps best known for creating the Amazon series Patriot and writing Will Smith's The Pursuit of Happyness. HBO did not comment on his hiring.


Dunk & Egg is the latest Game of Thrones spin-off to reach the hiring stage. Back in May, the project 10,000 Ships added writer Amanda Segal. It now looks like Dunk & Egg and 10,000 Ships are the spin-offs most likely to advance further. Meanwhile, 9 Voyages hasn't made much progress, and Flea Bottom was announced to be no longer moving forward in July. The addition of a writer doesn't necessarily confirm Dunk & Egg is officially happening, but it does show HBO has a bit more confidence in it.

Dunk & Egg is an interesting choice for a spin-off. Martin has only released three novellas so far, but has stated his intention to write more. At the same time, fans are still waiting for the next book in the Song of Ice and Fire series, The Winds of Winter, so it isn't clear what the future holds for Dunk and Egg in Martin's writings. With only 90 years between Dunk & Egg and Game of Thrones, this spin-off could be the one that contains the most references to the flagship series, which could make for some interesting reveals. Conrad's hiring is progress, but only time will tell if anything more comes of this project.