Sophie Turner reflects on the possibility of Game of Thrones Season 9 and why it may never happen

Sophie Turner discusses the challenges of reviving Game of Thrones and the possibility of a potential Season 9.

Sophie Turner in a still from Game of Thrones

As Sophie Turner has pointed out, there are several reasons why Game of Thrones shouldn't (or probably couldn't) return for what would essentially be season 9. Even after all this time has passed since the series concluded, fans of the HBO series are still very divided on the show's controversial ending. The combination of those two factors makes the prospect of a ninth season intriguing.

Challenges of Game of Thrones Season 9

We were closest to a direct continuation of Game of Thrones up until the Jon Snow spinoff series, which would have brought Kit Harington back. Regrettably, they were unable to devise a viable plan for that, leading to its abandonment. Turner, meanwhile, has shown interest in a Game of Thrones comeback; yet, her remarks reveal both the issue and the solution. The actor enjoyed playing Sansa and wonders where she is now, but if they return, it must be the same cast and crew. Otherwise, she wouldn't return, and it would just be season 9. Turner doesn't think they will do season 9. She wonders where her character would be in five years. Will her reign continue in the North? Could she effectively lead? Is it possible that another horrific war has emerged?

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The main obstacle to a continuation of Game of Thrones is, as Turner correctly points out, the fact that practically any such continuation would amount to nothing more than season 9. Season 8 of the series was met with criticism, yet the show's unprecedented production value is hard to replicate. With such a large cast and crew, it would be extremely difficult to coordinate everyone's schedules to return to the series, even if they all wanted to.

Kit Harington's perspective on the series finale

Plus, there's no assurance that anyone involved with Game of Thrones would be interested in coming back. Because it is such a demanding production for everyone involved, the toll it had taken on them became apparent towards the conclusion. In response to criticism of the series finale, Harington stated that if there was any fault with the end of Game of Thrones it's that they were all so f**king tired, they couldn't have gone on longer.

The merits of a ninth season of Game of Thrones are another contentious issue. Using it to address the ending's issues could be appealing, but there's a danger it might reinforce those issues—like Bran Stark's rule—instead of solving them. Some events, such as Daenerys Targaryen's death, are unchangeable for those who didn't like it—unless a second resurrection occurs, which would be difficult to justify.

Unless there's a huge time jump, pretty much any Game of Thrones spinoff that picks up where season 8 left off would struggle to be considered merely season 9. No matter which character it chooses to follow—Sanya in the North or Jon Snow beyond the Wall—it begs the question of other characters' whereabouts, actions, and lack of involvement, which suggests that the entire cast and crew will likely have to return. They are all still in Westeros at the same time, which is problematic.

Arya Stark as a potential spinoff focus

The one show that deviates from this rule is the one that follows Arya Stark's (Maisie Williams) journey after she departed from Westeros in the series finale to see what lies beyond. It would be reasonable for a spinoff to center on her alone without addressing events elsewhere, as she has already departed the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. It would be perfectly okay if Jon Snow and Sansa didn't make an appearance; her journeys would take months if not years. Audiences may still wonder, but there's a clear reason to steer clear of that subject, unlike any previous sequel.

Not only would an Arya Stark spinoff be able to sidestep issues involving recurring characters and cast, but it would also feature a compelling plot. Unlike Jon Snow's journey North of the Wall, which allowed him to heal from his trauma, Arya's ending was all about discovery, so audiences could discover those things with her. This is in contrast to the endings of other characters' arcs, such as Sansa and Bran becoming rulers.

Characters, settings, and even entire regions of the world that have never been portrayed before or of which no one is even aware could be introduced in an Arya-centric story. People don't fully understand Arya yet, which allows for further exploration and growth of her authentic self. They knew her for a long time as a girl, and later they knew her as an outcast and a vengeful person; but who is Arya? Having been one of the best characters in Game of Thrones before, she now has a renewed sense of equilibrium, a sense of purpose, and a recuperated identity, all of which might make her an interesting figure to watch.

Making an Arya Stark spinoff a reality is far more challenging than simply saying that one should happen. It's far simpler than season 9, because all it takes is for Williams to agree to star, but there's no guarantee she will. While the actor didn't explicitly rule out the possibility of a Game of Thrones revival in 2022, she did note that several factors would have to align for it to materialize. Williams clarified that she is not denying the possibility of a Game of Thrones revival in 2022, but she also refrained from mentioning it in this interview to avoid any misunderstandings. "The spin-off! It's on its way!" Due to the fact that it is not. The timing and the individuals involved must be perfectly aligned. It must fit into Game of Thrones and its spinoffs. Williams needs to wait for the perfect moment.

Animated series and its focus on Corlys Velaryon

The animated series, another upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, will chronicle Corlys Velaryon's Great Voyages. A major character from another series embarked on a grand quest of discovery over nine voyages around the world, accumulating a considerable fortune; however, the similarities between the plot points suggest that an Arya spinoff is unlikely.

However, there's no doubt that a sequel to Arya would be an even greater hit for HBO. The network would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to produce it because it is a logical extension of the main show with one of its most beloved characters. Compared to Game of Thrones season 9, it seems less feasible but still conceivable.

HBO's focus on expanding the franchise rather than continuing it

Considering how many series have comebacks, that's possible. However, HBO is determined to develop the Game of Thrones franchise rather than merely renewing it. Given the challenges of reuniting all of the original cast members and the potential dangers to the show's heritage, this is highly unlikely to materialize.

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