HBO isn’t moving ahead with the Game of Thrones sequel about Jon Snow, but season 8 made it clear there’s one character who should get a spinoff.
HBO isn’t moving forward with a Jon Snow spinoff, which should make the network consider a different Game of Thrones sequel instead. The Jon Snow show had been in development since 2022, with Kit Harington looking to reprise his role. However, Harington confirmed to Screen Rant that Jon Snow’s spinoff had been shelved as of April 2024, because he and the writers were unable to find a story worth telling.
That isn’t hugely surprising, because Game of Thrones’ ending did not set up more story for Harington’s character. Jon Snow returning beyond the Wall was more a sense of closure than it was a tease of more to him, bringing his arc full circle and allowing him to find peace at last. That’s actually true of many parts of the finale, which changed the status quo of Westeros but didn’t invite any obvious follow-ups – except for one character who definitely could carry a sequel show: Arya Stark.
Jon Snow’s Spinoff Not Happens Means HBO Should Make A Sequel About Arya Stark
Arya Has The Most Exciting Post-Game Of Thrones Story
Arya went to find “what’s west of Westeros” in Game of Thrones’ series finale, a very different ending to her Stark siblings (and cousin, Jon Snow). Bran becoming King, Sansa becoming Queen, and Jon Snow going North of the Wall all felt like natural endpoints of their story – yes, it’s possible to imagine what comes next, but getting to that stage was the most important point and there’s less story in seeing what comes next. That’s not the case with Arya.
A Game of Thrones sequel continuing her story would, in a sense, finally be able to follow the true Arya who has reconciled all parts of herself, on a new journey of discovery.
Her ending very much sets up more adventures. Whereas Jon’s spinoff didn’t have a story, Arya’s could potentially have a dozen as she travels around the world, and perhaps uncovers new parts of it as well. Whether it was as ‘Arry or “no one,” Arya’s story was always about identity: the shedding of it, and then its reclamation. A Game of Thrones sequel continuing her story would, in a sense, finally be able to follow the true Arya who has reconciled all parts of herself, on a new journey of discovery.
One of the major problems with a Jon Snow sequel is that it would, to some degree, just be Game of Thrones season 9. This is true of following characters such as Bran, Sansa, or Tyrion again too. The stories would primarily be set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; they’d either need characters to return, or it would beg the question of what they’re up to. They would tell tales at least similar to what has been seen before.
Arya could sail all the way to the Far North, to the shadow lands of Asshai or the former empire of Yi Ti in the East, or the largely unexplored continent of Sothoryos in the South.
An Arya spinoff, in contrast, could be unique: new locations, new characters, new concepts, and a real expansion of the world. Most of what’s west of Westeros is unknown, and that gives a tantalizing amount of freedom; there’s no real limit for the show. It could be new conflicts, or new creatures (the Sunset Sea she sets sail upon is said to be home to krakens and sea dragons, according to legend).
Arya could sail all the way to the Far North, to the shadow lands of Asshai or the former empire of Yi Ti in the East, or the largely unexplored continent of Sothoryos in the South. It could continue her arc, and perhaps even, eventually, end back in Westeros, once her adventures are over. There are possibilities for many great adventures in an Arya sequel, making it the easiest and most exciting way to continue Game of Thrones.
Could A Game Of Thrones Spinoff About Arya Stark Actually Happen?
What Are The Chances Of Maisie Williams Returning?
It’s one thing to hope for a Game of Thrones sequel about Arya Stark, and quite another for that to become a reality. As it stands, no such show is in the works at HBO, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. The network, along with George R.R. Martin, is clearly keen to take on the right opportunities to expand its franchise. While it is being patient, there are multiple Game of Thrones spinoffs in development, though only House of the Dragon season 2 and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight are outright confirmed.
A big question over the sequel is whether Maisie Williams would return for an Arya spinoff. Back in 2022, the actress said that she was open to the idea, but that there was no guarantee it would happen or that she’d actually do it. She said:
“I’m not saying it would never happen, but I’m also not saying it in this interview so that everyone goes… [gasps] ‘The spin-off! It’s coming!’ Because it’s not. It has to be the right time and the right people. It has to be right in the context of all the other spin-offs and the universe of Game of Thrones . […] It has to be the right time for me .”
Even if Williams were to return, the Jon Snow spinoff proves that doesn’t mean it’d automatically be ordered to series. Harington was a driving force behind the show, but that didn’t make it happen. However, the fact an Arya spinoff should, in theory, have more story to tell would potentially make it easier if HBO decided to explore making it. The other spinoffs are all prequels, so if the network does want a more direct continuation of Game of Thrones, bringing Arya back is the obvious choice.
