'Game of Thrones': Jon Snow spinoff experiences roadblock
In a twist that may leave fans disheartened, the much-anticipated spinoff series from HBO's Game of Thrones, focusing on beloved character Jon Snow, has been temporarily halted. Actor Kit Harington revealed this update during a recent interview with Screen Rant. The series intended to delve into the aftermath of GoT Season 8, which premiered in 2019, has been halted temporarily due to "narrative complexities."
'Hadn't ever spoken about it because it was in development...'
Snow (tentative title) was confirmed by GoT creator George RR Martin in 2022. During a fan event that year, Harington suggested that his spinoff would delve into Jon Snow's journey to heal from past traumas following S08's finale. In the recent interview, he said, "I hadn't ever spoken about it because it was in development...I didn't want things to happen where people kind of start theorizing, getting either excited about it or hating the idea...when it may never happen."
Challenges in developing an engaging storyline: Reasons
Harington attributed the pause in the spinoff's production to challenges in developing an engaging storyline. "Currently, it's off the table, it's not happening because we can't agree on a compelling story that excites us all. So, we've decided to take a break from it," he informed the portal. While the project remains "firmly on the shelf" for now, Harington hinted at a possible revisit in the future.
Another 'GoT' spinoff was shelved earlier
This isn't the first time a Game of Thrones spinoff has been shelved. A previous project titled The Long Night was discontinued in 2019 despite costing HBO a reported $30M for its pilot episode. WarnerMedia chairman Robert Greenblatt stated that The Long Night lacked "the depth and richness" of the original series' pilot, leading to its discontinuation when HBO approved House of the Dragon.
Meanwhile, there are other spinoffs in development
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight stands out as the sole recipient of a straight-to-series order. This prequel—adapted from Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas—has finalized its lead cast with Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell and is scheduled to commence filming in the spring of 2024. Meanwhile, House of the Dragon—based on Martin's Fire & Blood—aired in 2022, has proven to be a massive success. Its Season 2 is slated for a June 16 premiere.
