A Jon Snow sequel is in the works, but this Game of Thrones spinoff doesn’t sound like a particularly good idea after how his story ended.
A Jon Snow sequel is in the works at HBO, which is a risk and doesn’t sound like a great idea, but not because Game of Thrones season 8, and in particular the show’s ending, was bad. When Game of Thrones ended in 2019, it seemed as though that was the last viewers would see of any of those particular characters. Prequel spinoffs appeared inevitable, which has proved to be the case; House of the Dragon releases in August 2022, and HBO reportedly has various other projects in development, such as 10,000 Ships and The Tales of Dunk and Egg. What wasn’t expected was shows continuing Game of Thrones story, but it turns out Jon Snow wasn’t the only one who knew nothing.
In addition to those above series (and more), there is reportedly a Jon Snow sequel show in development. Few other details have been confirmed so far, though actor Kit Harington is said to be reprising his role as Jon Snow, real name Aegon Targaryen. Game of Thrones’ ending saw Jon kill Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), leading to him being sent back to the Night’s Watch. Although done under the guise of punishment, it was clear this was an ending Jon himself was happy with (albeit with some bittersweetness to it).
With that, Jon’s spinoff isn’t bad because the finale was so hated and suffered such a backlash, but rather the opposite. The final scene of the show saw Jon heading beyond the Wall with his Ghost, Tormund Giantsbane (Kristover Hivju), and the other remaining Wildlings, and it’s this that the spinoff works against. By its very nature, the Jon Snow sequel has to change this from being the endpoint on his story, and that’s a major risk because it was so perfect. Game of Thrones’ ending was divisive but, despite some leaps in how it got there (including no obvious requirement for a Night’s Watch), Jon Snow ending back beyond the Wall, a place where he found his first, truest love and another family, was among the most fitting of all its conclusions. It wasn’t one that hinted at or needed a follow up, but that what is now happening.
Jon Snow’s ending beyond the Wall meant his story had been brought full circle and that, more importantly, he could finally find a sense of peace. After years of fighting, even dying, and then having to fight some more, losing loved ones along the way and always choosing what was right, this was a chance for Jon to simply live his life. Jon’s Game of Thrones ending suggested a sense of fulfilment, albeit while still carrying the many scars he’d picked up along the way, and it was a poignant note to end things on, rather than one that demands to be revisited. His life wasn’t over, but viewers did say goodbye; to revisit it feels a bit like doing a sequel to Lord of the Rings showing Frodo in the Undying Lands (something even J.R.R. Tolkien only briefly touched upon) – sure, you can do it, but is there much point?
Of course, there have been plenty of doubts about many a prequel and sequel over the years that’ve been proved wrong. With the right creative team, then it could work, despite the lack of any obvious kind of story to be told. But when Jon Snow’s ending was already the best part of Game of Thrones’ finale, and with plenty of other stories in Westeros worth telling (including those shows being discussed and many more besides), then it’s a big risk to take in telling it at all.
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