For many fans who had followed Game of Thrones from the start, the final season felt like a betrayal, but after seven years, that disappointment is beginning to fade. In the meantime, HBO has continued its efforts to create a new series from the franchise and may have finally found a compelling concept.
A sequel series centered on a more somber, self-destructive Jon Snow was previously in development. Kit Harington collaborated with writers from the HBO show Gunpowder to delve into the character’s voluntary exile in the North, a storyline partly informed by the actor’s own post-Game of Thrones mental health challenges. According to reports, Jon would have returned as “a broken man with PTSD.” Harington allegedly aimed to undermine any expectation of redemption for Jon following his killing of Daenerys Targaryen; instead of restoring his heroic image, he would have faced a solitary end.
This grim narrative was not particularly appealing to HBO, resulting in the project being shelved in 2023. Following a period of reassessment, a new idea appears to be emerging from the remnants of the old one: a series about Jon’s sister, Arya Stark.
THR has reported that HBO is discreetly advancing a new series set after Thrones, which will follow a different Stark family member. The studio has enlisted a new writer—Quoc Dang Tran, recognized for Apple TV’s Drops of God—to lead the project. It is in the very early stages of development, with the plot details still being formulated, but insiders indicate it will track Arya’s journeys in Essos, a region inspired by the Mediterranean that is located across the Narrow Sea.
Arya previously visited Essos, namely the city of Braavos, in the sixth season of Thrones. There, she became part of the Faceless Men cult and trained to become “no one.” Although she decided to sail “West of Westeros” at the conclusion of Thrones, this new spinoff might begin years later in Arya’s life, returning her to known lands. A time jump would be logical: the actress Maisie Williams is now seven years older, and if HBO wishes to move past the negative reception of the Thrones finale, a clean break is necessary.
Following several unsuccessful attempts, this news represents a potentially significant development for the Thrones universe, though it remains to be seen if it will proceed. Neither HBO nor other outlets have officially confirmed the story, and no cast members are currently in negotiations to reprise their roles. However, if a Game of Thrones sequel is inevitable, a series built around a beloved character is a strong choice.