HBO Renews Game of Thrones Spin-Offs Through 2028, Hints at Jon Snow Series Revival

Nov 23, 2025

HBO just dropped a bombshell for fans of Westeros: HBO has officially renewed two major George R.R. Martin-backed spin-offs through 2028, with a third season of House of the Dragon arriving summer 2026—and its final season set for 2028. Meanwhile, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will return in 2027, making this the first time HBO has ever aired two Game of Thrones series in the same year. The announcement, made by Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming, on November 23, 2024, wasn’t just about scheduling—it was a statement. The network is betting big on Westeros, and the most tantalizing whisper? The long-shelved Jon Snow sequel series might be coming back.

Two Series, Three Years, One Universe

House of the Dragon, based on Martin’s Fire & Blood, is already a hit. Filming for Season 3 began in spring 2024 in the UK and wraps this December, with post-production pacing toward a summer 2026 premiere. The season promises epic battles, dragon warfare, and the unraveling of House Targaryen’s internal fractures. Ryan Condal, the showrunner, has teased that the Targaryen civil war will escalate in ways viewers haven’t seen since the original series’ peak.

Then there’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms—the Dunk and Egg story set nearly 90 years before the original Game of Thrones. Scheduled for a January 2026 debut, it’s a grittier, more grounded tale of a young squire and his knightly mentor. Ira Parker, who co-created the series with Martin, called it "an underdog story with heart," and HBO clearly believes it’ll balance the darker, more political tone of House of the Dragon. The dual release strategy—January and summer 2026—is unprecedented. It’s not just content; it’s a calendar takeover.

The Jon Snow Shadow

Here’s where things get interesting. The original series ended with Jon Snow exiled beyond the Wall, a broken hero who saved the realm but lost everything. For over a year, HBO worked on a direct sequel focused on his life after the Battle of Winterfell and the fall of King’s Landing. Kit Harington, who played Jon, was reportedly eager to return. But creative disagreements surfaced: How do you give Jon a meaningful arc after his controversial finale? Some writers wanted him to become a reluctant leader of the North. Others pushed for a quiet, wandering existence. The tension stalled the project.

Now, Orsi’s comments hint at a shift. "We’re always exploring new corners of George’s world," she said. "And yes, some stories we put on pause might find their time again." That’s the closest HBO has come to confirming the Jon Snow series isn’t dead. It’s just… hibernating. Martin himself has said he still believes Jon’s story has legs—especially if the new series can explore the psychological toll of being the man who killed Daenerys, only to be cast out by those he saved.

Why This Matters

After the backlash to Season 8, HBO’s reputation in fantasy TV took a hit. Fans felt betrayed. The network’s response? Double down—not with one reboot, but with five to six spin-offs in various stages, according to Martin. That’s not just expansion; it’s damage control with ambition. House of the Dragon restored credibility. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers nostalgia with a fresh lens. And if Jon Snow returns? It could be the emotional anchor the franchise needs.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about legacy. HBO is trying to rebuild trust by honoring the world Martin built, not just the TV version. They’re investing in deep lore, not just spectacle. The fact that they’re releasing two shows in the same year, with different tones and timelines, shows confidence. And the potential revival of Jon Snow? That’s the wildcard that could either redeem the franchise—or make fans feel like they’re being manipulated again.

What’s Next?

The next 18 months will be critical. If A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms lands well in January 2026, HBO will likely greenlight more spin-offs quickly. If House of the Dragon Season 3 delivers the scale and emotional weight fans crave, the door opens wider for Jon Snow. But here’s the catch: the network can’t afford another misstep. The fanbase is watching. Every casting choice, every script draft, every trailer drop will be dissected.

Martin has already confirmed that other projects are in development—including one set in Essos, another in the Free Cities, and a rumored dark fantasy centered on the Night’s Watch. The universe is expanding. The question isn’t whether HBO will keep going. It’s whether they’ll do it right.