Game of Thrones' Jon Snow spinoff series axed; Kit Harington reveals why
Kit Harington opens up on development hurdles as the Jon Snow spinoff series hits a dead end.
Apr 10, 2024
Kit Harington as Jon Snow in a still from Game of Thrones
The Game of Thrones spinoff starring Jon Snow is currently not in production at HBO. House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, and other prequel series based on George R.R. Martin's writings ensure that the fantasy franchise lives on even though the main series concluded in 2019. The initial rumours about a Jon Snow spinoff series, set to follow Kit Harington's character in Game of Thrones and serve as a sequel to the show, surfaced in 2022.
Kit Harington confirms halting of Jon Snow spinoff production
Now, while promoting Blood for Dust Harington confirmed to Screen Rant that production on the Jon Snow spinoff series has halted. The project was in the developmental stage until the actor stated that, currently, it's not and it's off the table due to their inability to find the right story to tell. Harington is hopeful that they can revisit the project in the future, despite its current absence.
Because it was in development, the actor hadn't really spoken about it. It was important to him that no one find out it was under development, and he also didn't want people to start making assumptions about it and developing strong opinions about it, even though it might never materialise. In the process of development, one evaluates all potential outcomes to ascertain their significance. At this time, it is not being considered because none of them could come up with a story that they were sufficiently enthusiastic about. Therefore, they have chosen to use it as a tool for the time being. At this point, no, but maybe they will come back to it later, and there's no moving it off the shelf.
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Success of House of the Dragon and other spinoffs
Harington's latest comments seem to have been the decisive factor for the Jon Snow spinoff, which has not progressed significantly since its initial disclosure. House of the Dragon which George R.R. Martin adapted from his book Fire & Blood, has also been a huge success. In 2022, the premiere season shattered HBO's viewing records and was critically acclaimed. House of the Dragon will return for a second season on June 16, with further seasons in the works.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is the sole Game of Thrones spinoff to get a straight-to-series order among the others in development. The prequel, based on George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas, will begin filming in the spring of 2024, starring Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell. Like House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight skips the controversial conclusion of Game of Thrones in favour of events that transpired a number of years before.
Addressing backlash and challenges in Jon Snow spinoff development
The Wildings' portrayal of Jon Snow's character—his banishment from Westeros and his return to the territories beyond The Wall—focused much of the backlash against the 2019 season finale of Game of Thrones. The Jon Snow spinoff, serving as a prequel to Game of Thrones must confront this contentious conclusion directly. The statements made by Harington suggest that the writers of the spinoff were overwhelmed by the endeavour.
Similar to the situation with David Benioff and D.B. Weiss in the later seasons of Game of Thrones the spinoff show Jon Snow also lacks any kind of source material. Maybe this is the most important factor that made the last season of Game of Thrones so disappointing. Because the Game of Thrones series' success depends on faithfully adapting George R.R. Martin's works, it may be for the best that the Jon Snow spinoff series is not in the works.
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