The world of Westeros is expanding again, but this time it is taking a different shape. HBO is developing a new project set in the Game of Thrones universe, and it will not be a traditional television series. Recent reports confirm that the network is moving forward with a sequel project focused on a beloved character from the original show, and the plan is to release it as a feature film.
This news marks a significant shift in how HBO approaches the franchise. While House of the Dragon continues to draw viewers and the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms prepares for its January 2026 premiere, this new venture will explore what happens after the events of the series finale. The character at the center of this project is Arya Stark, the youngest daughter of Ned Stark who sailed west of Westeros at the end of Game of Thrones.
Arya Stark Sequel Movie in Very Early Development
According to a detailed report from The Hollywood Reporter, HBO has shifted its focus for a Game of Thrones sequel project. For years, the only sequel idea in development was a Jon Snow spin-off series that would have followed Kit Harington‘s character after his exile north of the Wall. That project, which Harington himself was reportedly interested in exploring as a “broken man with PTSD,” has been pushed aside. HBO reportedly found the idea too dark and difficult to execute.
Now, the network is concentrating on a new concept centered on Arya Stark, with Maisie Williams expected to reprise her role. Insiders confirm the project is in “very early development” at HBO. French screenwriter Quoc Dang Tran, known for his work on Drops of Jupiter, has already been brought on board to write the script.
The setting for this story will be Essos, the vast continent across the Narrow Sea where Daenerys Targaryen began her journey. This detail has raised questions among fans. At the end of Game of Thrones, Arya told her family she was sailing west, toward the unknown waters beyond Westeros where the maps stop. Setting the story in Essos suggests a shift from that original plan.
Why Jon Snow Spin-off Was Set Aside
The Jon Snow series had been discussed for several years. Kit Harington was open to returning to the role, and George R.R. Martin confirmed the project was in development as early as 2022. The concept would have dealt with Jon’s life after he killed Daenerys and was sent back to the Night’s Watch, then ultimately banished beyond the Wall.
However, HBO had creative concerns about the direction. Sources indicate the “broken Jon Snow” concept was too grim for the network to move forward with. There was also the practical matter of Harington’s interest. In a December 2024 interview with Variety, Harington made his position clear when asked about returning to the franchise.
“No, god no. I don’t wanna go anywhere near it. I spent 10 years doing that. Thanks, I’m alright.”
This statement effectively closed the door on the Jon Snow project, at least for the foreseeable future. HBO then pivoted to the Arya idea, which offers a different tone and more creative freedom.
Setting and Story Details for the Arya Film
The Arya Stark movie will take place in Essos, described by insiders as a “Mediterranean-like land.” This setting is familiar to Game of Thrones viewers. Essos is where Daenerys built her armies in earlier seasons, and cities like Braavos—where Arya trained with the Faceless Men—are located there.
This choice of location is interesting because Arya already spent significant time in Essos during her training. Returning there for a sequel suggests her story may connect to skills she learned during those years. However, no specific plot details have been revealed, and no actors have been cast yet besides the expectation that Williams will lead the project.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that HBO is approaching this carefully.
“We are very interested and excited by the prospect of a sequel, but also keenly aware of how high the bar of execution needs to be.”
This cautious approach reflects the network’s understanding of fan expectations after the mixed reaction to the original series finale.
Fan Reactions to the Arya Stark News
The response from the Game of Thrones fan community has been mixed since this news broke in January 2026. Some viewers are excited to see Maisie Williams return to one of the show’s most popular characters. Arya was a fan favorite throughout the series, and her journey from angry child to skilled assassin was central to the show’s success.
However, many fans are expressing concern about undoing the character’s ending. Arya’s decision to sail west was one of the few moments of peaceful closure in a finale filled with controversy. It represented her choosing to leave the violence of Westeros behind and seek something new.
Some critics have pointed out that turning her departure into the start of another adventure risks weakening that moment. If Arya is now traveling across Essos and getting involved in new conflicts, it changes the meaning of her final scene in the original series. Rather than walking away from the cycle of revenge and violence, she would be continuing it in a new location.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Arrives January 2026
Before any Arya movie moves forward, HBO will release its next Game of Thrones project. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres in January 2026 on HBO and will be available to stream on Max in the United States. UK viewers can watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW, with Australian audiences accessing it through Foxtel and Binge.
This series is based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. It takes place roughly 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, following the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, played by Peter Claffey, and his young squire Egg, portrayed by Dexter Sol Ansell. Egg is secretly Aegon Targaryen, who later becomes king.
The tone of this series differs from both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Early descriptions suggest a more grounded, character-driven story about two unlikely companions traveling through Westeros. The trailer, released during Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront in New York, shows a mix of medieval adventure, humor, and heart.
The cast also includes Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen, and Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon. The series filmed in Northern Ireland, returning to locations that served as the backdrop for the original show. Richard Williams, head of Northern Ireland Screen, called it a return to “the home of Thrones.”
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Other Projects in Development
Beyond the Arya movie and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, George R.R. Martin has confirmed that seven spin-off projects are in various stages of development. This list includes three live-action shows and four animated projects. None of these have been greenlit yet, but they remain in consideration at HBO.
Fans continue to express interest in a series about Robert’s Rebellion, the war that placed Robert Baratheon on the Iron Throne. This period includes key events like the Battle of the Trident, the Sack of King’s Landing, and the Tower of Joy, where Jon Snow was born. With A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms bridging the timeline between House of the Dragon and the original series, some viewers hope HBO will eventually fill in these remaining gaps.
House of the Dragon itself continues with Season 3 scheduled for June 2026. The show will run for four seasons total, with the fourth and final season expected to air later.
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