We’ve long known that five Game of Thrones spin-offs were coming, we’ve speculated on what they could be and already knew what they were not, but with the fifth script getting its writer named, we’re fairly certain we’re in for something just as epic as its predecessor series—because it’s not his first time writing for the world of ice and fire.
Bryan Cogman, the only other writer on Game of Thrones besides showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (and those few scripts Martin penned himself in early days), has been officially confirmed via Entertainment Weekly as the writer of the fifth potential spin-off, and is working quite intensely with Martin to bring this “very exciting period of Westerosi history” to life.
And truly, no one is more qualified to pass the baton to as far as Westeros is concerned. It’s as Martin stated, “If [Benioff and Weiss] have been the kings of Westeros for these past seven seasons, Bryan Cogman has surely been the Prince of Dragonstone.”
Per Martin’s LiveJournal (which is still such a lovely thing to be able to say in 2017), he seems to be very happy with Cogman’s work, and the other spin-off scripts to come:
“I can say that, like the other pilots, it will be a prequel rather than sequel, a successor rather than a spinoff. Bryan’s series will be an adaptation, and one that will thrill most fans of the books, I think, set during a very exciting period of Westerosi history. And I’ll be working with him every step of the way; we’re going to be co-creating the show.
Meanwhile, Jane Goldman, Brian Helgeland, Max Borenstein, and Carly Wray are all at work on the other four successor shows. I’ve been working with them as well (some more closely than others), and I’m excited by some of the ideas they’re coming up with. HBO should have a wealth of material to choose from. (And that’s not even counting the four weird-ass series concepts I’ve come up on my own, just for the hell of it. There are eight million stories in the naked city, and maybe ten times as many in Westeros and the lands beyond the narrow seas).”
Now, what could the story be about? We know all the prequel projects are set before the events of Thrones and will not include any members of the current principle cast. We also know they do not involve Robert’s Rebellion (the events that took place immediately before the series began) or the Dunk and Egg tales from Martin’s novella.
Our money is on the Doom of Valyria, the events that created the Night King (a.k.a. the War between The Children and The First Men), or—if HBO wants to put serious money behind this—The Dance of Dragons. After all, writer of one of the other scripts, Jane Goldman, has already stated that, “as a book reader or as someone who watched the series, you would say, ‘Oh, that! OK.’ Yeah, it would be recognizable as a past event.'”
What portion of Westerosi history are you interested in checking out? Let us know in the comments below!
Alicia Lutes is the Managing Editor, creator/co-host of Fangirling, and resident Khaleesi of House Nerdist. Find her on Twitter!
Want to Brush Up on Your Westerosi History?
- Here are 9 spin-off series we’d totally watch.
- Want a history of the Isle of Faces (which may mean big things for the series finale)?
- And here’s one more potential spin-off—the legend of Aegon’s Conquest of Westeros!
Images: HBO
