New Game Of Thrones Spinoff Will Finally Put Another Stark In The Spotlight
From ScreenRant, bAngel Shaw
There's yet another spinoff being added to the Game of Thrones franchise, and it will once again put a Stark at front and center. This project won't be an HBO TV show like its predecessors, and will instead play out on stage in front of a live audience. Titled Game of Thrones: The Mad King, this production will begin performances during the summer of 2026 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. It's a unique twist for the franchise, but one that promises to be every bit as thrilling.
Game of Thrones: The Mad King will revolve around the Trouney at Harrenhal, which catalyzed Robert Baratheon's rebellion against King Aerys II Targaryen and his son, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. The Tourney takes place approximately 15 years before Game of Thrones' first season, so the play will feature younger versions of many of the characters we know and love (or love to hate).
The Upcoming Game Of Thrones Play Will Finally Tell Lyanna Stark's Story
The Starks are easily the most important figures of Game of Thrones, next to the Targaryens. However, we haven't had a member of this family play a role of importance in any of the existing Game of Thrones spinoffs. Now, we get a brand-new Stark protagonist, and she's someone whose story is profoundly linked to the franchise's central narrative. Lyanna Stark, sister of Ned and the woman whom Robert Baratheon considered his one true love, stands at the very center of the rebellion against the Targaryens. In many ways, if it weren't for her, all of Game of Thrones wouldn't have happened.
Like many Stark characters, Lyanna will be a thrilling subject for her own story. She's described George R.R. Martin's books as being very similar in appearance and personality to Arya Stark. Game of Thrones: The Mad King's director, Dominic Cooke, stated in an interview that Lyanna is "a live wire," adding that her rebellious nature makes her a unique figure among the high ladies of Westeros. Since we never got that Arya Stark spinoff, a story following her aunt—the woman behind so much of the events of Game of Thrones—is an exciting alternative.
The Mad King Story Is The Perfect Way To Show Where The Starks' Tragedies Began
The Trouney at Harrenhal is a great place to kick off Lyanna Stark's story, since this is when Rhaegar Targaryen scandellously crowned her the queen of love and beauty rather than his own wife, Elia Martell. This act enraged Robert Baratheon, who was already betrothed to Lyanna. It was precisely this moment that eventually led to Robert's rebellion, and, in a very real way, all the subsequent misfortune faced by the Starks in Game of Thrones.
Robert's becoming king turned out disastrous for the Starks, since his marriage to Cersei Lannister resulted in Ned's execution, Sansa's imprisonment, Arya's exile, Rob's death, and nearly endless more tragedies. Had Rhaegar and Lyanna not had their secret romance, Robert might never have risen against the Targaryens. At the very least, he would have married Lyanna and not Cersei.
Of course, had Rhaegar and Lyanna not had their secret romance, Jon Snow would never have been born. The Night King might never have been defeated, and the Long Night would have turned Westeros into a kingdom of the dead. It's all inherently linked. Game of Thrones: The Mad King will offer a chance to witness the inception of that chaos, catalyzed not just by a Targaryen but, finally, by a Stark.
Images credit: ScreenRant/Angel Shaw
Angel Shaw is a Lead Writer and Peer Mentor on ScreenRant's New TV team, covering new-release TV shows across all major streaming platforms. She has been a writer with ScreenRant since 2022 and specializes in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy.