In the world of TV production, there are successful shows and then there are megahits. Perhaps the best example of the latter is HBO's fantasy drama Game of Thrones, which ended its sixth season back in June. Fans of the long-running series have already spent six years following the adventures in Westeros, but unfortunately the series is slowly headed towards its end. We have two short seasons to look forward to before the Great Game finally has a winner, and fans are already wondering if HBO will produce a spinoff series. George R.R. Martin's world is extremely rich and detailed, so there are plenty of stories to chose from. But what would it take for a spinoff to become a reality?
HBO's programming president Casey Bloys briefly chatted with The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere of the premium network's upcoming fantasy drama Westworld. When asked about spinoff possibilities, Bloys said the following:
There are so many properties and areas to go to. For us, it's about finding the right take with the right writer
Well, this certainly seems hopeful. Considering the massive success that Game of Thrones has found throughout its tenure on the small screen, I can't imagine that HBO wouldn't want to cash in with a spinoff.
Of course, there are a few obstacles in the way of a Game of Thrones spinoff. Perhaps the largest is that Game's co-creators, showrunners, and writers D.B. Weiss and David Benioff have maintained their disinterest in a spinoff. While they haven't discouraged the concept, Benioff and Weiss have maintained that they personally have no desire in working on another series within the universe. But HBO's Casey Bloys seems unaffected by this response, claiming that they've simply been asked at the wrong time.
You're getting them right when they're about to embark on production. It's a big, big commitment for them, not just their creative force, but also their family life. They're gone for months at a time. So it's a big, big thing. But should we find a property that makes sense as a spinoff or a prequel --- whatever you want to say --- I would not expect them to do it, because they're going to need to decompress for a good amount of time, but it would certainly be nice to have their involvement in some way. At what level? I have no idea.
Touche, Mr. Bloys. This makes a great deal of sense. Producing Game of Thrones is an extremely daunting task that usually spans multiple countries and crews at once. And with the added pressure of finishing the stories that so many fans care about, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff would rather pull their hair out than start planning some sort of spinoff. Plus, Game is still very much alive.
Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if a Game of Thrones spinoff/prequel were to happen. It would be fascinating to see Robert's Rebellion and the Targaryen rule. This might also help to bring back characters who died on the series proper.
