Winter is coming to an end for lovers of .
Since the hugely popular show in May 2019, there's been a need to satisfy the dragon-shaped hole in fans' hearts — which explains the multiple spinoff series that are currently in various stages of development at HBO.
In addition to the , other projects will reportedly include a show based on another popular book series by author , and talks are also apparently underway for an animated take on the fantasy world.
Read on for a breakdown of all the -related offshoots that have popped up so far. (And one that has been felled like the Night King.)
Shortly after the , HBO announced that five prequel series were in development. Among them was an unofficially referred to as by Martin, who co-created the concept with showrunner Jane Goldman.
The prequel was set to take place thousands of years before the events of , chronicling "the world's descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour."
"From the horrifying secrets of Westeros' history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend, only one thing is for sure: It's not the story we think we know," the official description said.
was cast in the lead role alongside (), Denise Gough (Broadway's ), Josh Whitehouse () and several others.
The full pilot episode, directed by S.J. Clarkson, was . But in October 2019, HBO .
"After careful consideration, we have decided not to move forward to series with the untitled prequel," the network said in a statement at the time. "We thank Jane Goldman, S.J. Clarkson and the talented cast and crew for all of their hard work and dedication."
The same day the untitled project was canceled, HBO gave the green light to another prequel series that eventually on Aug. 21, 2022.
Based on the 2018 prequel book , is co-created by Martin and , who acted as co-showrunner alongside Miguel Sapochnik for season 1. Sapochnik — the director of some of the most memorable episodes, including "The Long Night" and "Battle of the Bastards" — stepped down from the position, leaving Condal as the only showrunner for the show's second season, which was .
The series centers on House Targaryen, the dynasty that will ultimately be responsible for 's Daenerys Targaryen (), during the reign of King Viserys (). As Viserys wishes to pass down the kingdom to a male successor, his son's death gives him no choice but to appoint his daughter Rhaenyra () to the throne.
Rhaenyra's younger half-brother, Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), challenges her claim to the throne and ignites a civil war among House Targaryen — known as the Dance of the Dragons — that takes place nearly 200 years before the events in .
Also starring is as Prince Daemon Targaryen, as Queen Alicent Hightower, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, as Criston Cole, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon and many more.
With in April 2023, Condal said that the team is "thrilled to be shooting again with members of our original family as well as new talents on both sides of the camera."
"All your favorite characters will soon be conspiring at the council tables, marching with their armies and riding their dragons into battle," .
In April 2023, announced a prequel series — based on Martin's series of novellas, the — was issued a straight-to-series order at HBO.
The story takes place 90 years before the events of Martin's series that served as the inspiration for , and tells the tale of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a knight who eventually joins the Kingsguard, and his young squire Aegon V Targaryen (Egg), who eventually becomes king.
"Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends," reads the .
Martin and Ira Parker will both co-write and co-executive produce the drama series, with Condal and producer Vince Gerardis as executive producers as well.
Shortly after the news, Martin , revealing that "the writing is well underway," with no official date set in stone yet.
"Ira has assembled a small but very talented team, and they are at it already, building on the foundations laid down last year in previous creative summits … and of course on the original novella," Martin wrote. "The Dunk & Egg novellas are fully-fleshed narratives more like the novels of than the imaginary history of ; the stories are right there on the page, and our goal is to produce faithful adaptations of those tales for the screen."
Martin has published three novellas in the series so far: , and .
reported in March 2021 that HBO is developing a trio of ideas for new spinoffs set in Martin's world.
These projects include , a series that reportedly will follow Corlys Velaryon, a.k.a. the Sea Snake and will be helmed by ; a project set in Flea Bottom, the slum district in King's Landing; and a show based around the 10,000 Ships — a reference to the journey made by warrior queen Princess Nymeria, whom Arya Stark () named her direwolf after on — which will be written by Amanda Segel.
In , Martin stated that these spinoffs are "still in the script stage."
"Outlines and treatments have been written and approved, scripts have been written, notes have been given [and] second and third drafts have been written," Martin wrote. "That is the way television works. Please note: nothing has been green-lit yet, and there is no guarantee when or if it will be ... on any of these shows."
According to , an animated drama set in the universe is also in early development at HBO Max. Though animated, the outlet reported that the series would be "adult-leaning."
"The animated shows are coming along great," Martin in 2022. "The concept art is absolutely stunning."
In March 2022, Martin that they have a working title (), which "would be set in Yi Ti."
No deals have been made regarding the animated series, so it's possible it may end up getting scrapped.
Despite all the prequels in the works, eight seasons of and countless books published by Martin, there is still some source material missing.
The author has yet to finish the series, which served as source material for . So far, five books in the series have been published.
Decades after the first book was released in 1996, there are : and .
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In July 2022, Martin said that he's "been at work in [his] winter garden."
"Things are growing … and changing, as does happen with us gardeners," he wrote on his blog of the . "Things twist, things change, new ideas come to me (thank you, muse), old ideas prove unworkable, I write, I rewrite, I restructure, I rip everything apart and rewrite again, I go through doors that lead nowhere and doors that open on marvels."
While Martin has said there will be similarities between the and the ending in the books, his "gardening is taking [him] further and further away from the television series."
The sixth installment will feature viewpoints unexplored on the show, including Victarion Greyjoy, Arianne Martell, Areo Hotah, Jon Connington and Aeron Damphair, as well as a myriad of secondary characters.
"There will be new characters as well," Martin wrote. "No new viewpoints, I promise you that, but with all these journeys and battles and scheming to come, inevitably our major players will be encountering new people in lands far and near."
"I think [ is] going to be a very big book ... and I think ," Martin said in an appearance on in October 2022. "The characters all interweave, and I'm actually finished with a couple of the characters, but not others. I have to finish all that weaving, but it's still going to take me a while."
In June 2022, a story by revealed that HBO is in the early stages of developing a sequel series centered around Jon Snow. The news outlet additionally reported that , who portrayed the beloved character in the original series, is "attached to reprise the role should a series move forward."
In the series finale airing in 2019, Jon was banished from Westeros and traveled North of the Wall with the Wildlings thereafter.
In December 2022, Harrington , claiming Snow is "not okay."
"I think if you asked him, he would've felt he got off lightly," the actor . "At the end of the show when we find him in that cell, he's preparing to be beheaded and he wants to be. He's done. The fact he goes to the Wall is the greatest gift and also the greatest curse."
Martin confirmed his involvement with the series , saying Harrington was the person behind the series idea. "Kit's team have visited me here in Santa Fe and worked with me and my own team of brilliant, talented writer/consultants to hammer out the show," he wrote.
