Will There Be ‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoffs?
9,347 total views, 1 views today
Spoilers for the eighth season, and especially the series finale, of ‘Game of Thrones’ lie ahead.
Sunday night, one of the most celebrated TV shows ever broadcast came to a close. Game of Thrones aired its 73rd and final episode to intense fanfare, speculation, and critical commentary. Some people hated the ending, just as many people have criticized the show’s final season throughout, and others felt it nicely wrapped the show’s many overlapping plot layers.
Just because Game of Thrones is over, though, doesn’t mean that the universe in which it takes place is done serving eager viewers new content. Sure, the Iron Throne has been destroyed and Bran Stark, the Three-Eyed Raven, is the new king, with Tyrion Lannister serving as his hand. Sure, Jon Snow shocked viewers by killing Daenerys Targaryen after she went full Mad Queen and killed tons of innocent people in her quest for power. Sure, Cersei and Jamie Lannister are dead. But there are plenty of loose ends for potential spinoffs to close.
A prequel series may come to fruition
As early as two years ago, Game of Thrones’ network, HBO, announced that it was working on a prequel TV show. HBO asked five writers to develop scripts for a potential first season. From these writers, among whom previous credits include Mad Men, A Knight’s Tale, and Game of Thrones, only one script is currently being considered for this prequel.
D.B. Weiss and David Benioff won’t take part in the prequel
In adapting A Song of Ice and Fire for TV, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff gave global audiences one of the most groundbreaking, culturally significant TV shows not just of this decade, but of all time. However, neither showrunner will be involved in the Game of Thrones prequel. Instead, Jane Goldman, who wrote the screenplays for X-Men: First Class and Kick-Ass, will oversee the prequel. Since many viewers blame Weiss and Benioff for the most contentious aspects of season eight, Goldman’s perspective may prove relieving.
Arya’s journey could present a spinoff opportunity
Arya Stark, one of the most universally-beloved characters in the Game of Thrones universe, heads to sea at the series’ close. In her quest, she would theoretically have the opportunity to explore lands far beyond those comprising the known world in the Game of Thrones universe. George R.R. Martin has said that he has intentionally kept much of the world’s landscape secret, and an Arya-focused spinoff would explore these previously-unknown areas.
A political drama and fantasy hybrid
In the Game of Thrones series finale, Samwell Tarly suggests that the kingdoms adopt democracy. His idea is summarily laughed out of consideration. There are many political matters still up for debate in the Thrones universe, and a proper political drama could explore what shape the ruling council takes after Bran becomes king. Former President Barack Obama, in a tweet of himself seated on an Iron Throne in 2014, may have accidentally come up with the perfect name for such a show: The Westeros Wing.
What spinoffs would you want to see following the Game of Thrones finale? What did you think of this divisive final season? Sound off in the comments!