For fans of Westeros, patience has become a way of life. While we wait for George R.R. Martin's long-promised The Winds of Winter, HBO has been quietly exploring countless ways to expand the realm. Some ideas made it to the screen, but many have vanished into the mist. If you were holding out hope for that Jon Snow sequel or an Arya Stark adventure, you might want to brace yourself.
HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys has confirmed that no additional Game of Thrones spinoffs are currently in development, beyond the two already on the slate: House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. When asked about further expansion, Bloys pointed to the hefty amount of Westeros content already scheduled, saying, "You mean in addition to the Emmy-nominated Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is coming out in the first half of '27? And House of the Dragon? Besides that, no, nothing else."
This news is significant because over the years, HBO has floated numerous potential projects set in Martin's world, from a Sea Snake series to a Dunk and Egg adaptation (the latter eventually becoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms). The impression was that Game of Thrones might evolve into a sprawling, interconnected universe. But Bloys clarified that development doesn't equal a greenlight, explaining that audiences often mistake behind-the-scenes exploration for confirmed shows. "People read about development and they assume that those are greenlit shows, and they're development. And everybody knows that development is just that — you're trying things, you take big swings, not everything comes through."
This pragmatic approach mirrors HBO's broader strategy, as seen with their handling of DC properties. It's a reminder that not every idea will make it to air, no matter how exciting it sounds on paper.
What About the Stars?
Despite the halt on new spinoffs, several original Game of Thrones actors haven't completely shut the door on returning. Sophie Turner, who played Sansa Stark, joked in January 2026 that she'd need to see "the money" before considering a comeback. She expressed satisfaction with Sansa's ending as Queen in the North and said she wouldn't revisit the character just for nostalgia. "Maybe it would be an utter joy, or maybe it would be trying to cling on to something that was magic back in the day that can't be recreated. I would have to see a script."
Kit Harington went further, having actually developed a Jon Snow sequel with HBO. In 2024, he confirmed the project was shelved after they "bounced some ideas around and nothing really lit us up." However, he didn't rule out playing Jon again, saying, "Unless we find something in the future that really lands, there's no point in rushing it."
Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark, addressed rumors of a potential spinoff in September 2026. In an interview with Collider, she reflected on the show's legacy and her own growth, saying, "I think that over the last seven years, the biggest gift has been being able to look back and feel immense pride in what we did. It was such a surreal experience to live." When asked about reprising Arya, she gave a characteristically cryptic answer: "Maybe. I don't know. It changes every day. Tomorrow I might say no, and the day after I might say yes. But today I say maybe."
While the current focus is on House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the door isn't entirely closed for more Westeros in the future. As Bloys noted, development is about taking swings, and some will connect. For now, fans can enjoy the two shows on the horizon and revisit the original series, which continues to dominate streaming charts. Game of Thrones remains a streaming powerhouse, and even minor characters are finding their way back into the fold.
So, while the wait for The Winds of Winter continues, and the spinoff pipeline appears dry for now, the world of Westeros is far from dormant. With two major series in the works and the original still beloved, the realm will keep spinning — just at a more measured pace.
