Game of Thrones Sequel in Development: What This Means for The Winds of Winter
A sequel to the hit HBO series Game of Thrones is currently in development, revealing a harsh truth about the long-awaited book, The Winds of Winter. Several spin-offs have been in the works since the main show ended in 2019, including House of the Dragon, which is set to air its third season in summer 2026. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ story is next, coming in January 2026, and is based on several short novellas by George R. R. Martin.
Now, six years after Game of Thrones’ finale, sequels are reportedly in development, highlighting a harsh truth about the original book series. In November 2025, George R. R. Martin confirmed that Game of Thrones sequels are in the works, revealing that beyond House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, several other prequels are currently in the early stages of development. According to Martin, there are at least five or six being worked on.
Martin went on to say, “And yes, there’s a sequel or two in the works.” This news comes after a Jon Snow sequel was effectively canceled by HBO in 2024. While it is unclear whether this idea is one of the sequels Martin referenced, it is at least good to know that more adventures in Westeros beyond Game of Thrones are being planned. However, the sad truth is that one or more of these Game of Thrones sequels may be released before the original book series is even finished.
The Game of Thrones IP is Too Big for HBO to Only Make Prequels
The world of Game of Thrones is simply too vast for upcoming spin-offs to remain prequels. Yes, there is a lot of Westerosi history explored in Martin’s original series, which has served as the basis for two prequels, with five or six more in development. However, it is naive to think the stories simply stop at Game of Thrones. Clearly, Martin thinks the same if he is developing sequels to the show.
Whether these sequels are intended as giant continuations of the show on the same scale, akin to a new trilogy of Star Wars movies, for instance, or smaller-scale stories simply set after Game of Thrones remains to be seen. Regardless, Game of Thrones is too big to remain in the past. Evidently, the world of Game of Thrones is simply too vast for upcoming spin-offs to remain prequels.
A Game of Thrones Sequel Coming Out Before Winds Would Feel Weird
Even with that truth in mind, though, a Game of Thrones sequel being released before The Winds of Winter would feel admittedly strange. Many have been eagerly anticipating The Winds of Winter to get a hint at how Martin intends to end A Song of Ice and Fire. As everyone likely knows already, Game of Thrones’ divisive ending was constructed using only minor knowledge of the final two books.
This has led audiences to wait with bated breath for Martin’s official ending, starting with The Winds of Winter and ending with A Dream of Spring. If a Game of Thrones sequel, continuing beyond what will be depicted in Winds and Dream, happens first, this will feel somewhat wrong. In an ideal world, Martin’s stories would have been finished, unveiling the true ending to the series, before Game of Thrones sequels were developed.
