Is the Jon Snow 'Games of Thrones' Spinoff Still Happening?

Despite the widely acknowledged disappointment that was the final season of Game of Thrones, the world of Westeros hasn’t lost its appeal for fans. The first spinoff series, House of the Dragon, has been a runaway success for HBO, focusing on the backstory of the House Targaryen and an escalating succession battle between two warring factions within, and will return for its second season in the summer of 2024 if all goes as planned. But that’s just the tip of the spinoff iceberg.

In 2021, HBO announced that it was developing three new shows set in the GoT world, none of which have yet been officially greenlit. And last year, another spinoff was added to the development slate, this one focusing on Kit Harington’s Jon Snow with the working title Snow. Here’s what we know so far about the potential show, including who might be cast and what it could be about.

Related: 78 Best 'Game of Thrones' Quotes

Is the Jon Snow Game of Thrones spinoff still happening?

The show is still on the table, but new comments from HBO CEO and chairman Casey Bloys suggest that fans shouldn't hold their breath for it.

“We always have Game of Thrones scripts in development. We greenlit Dunk and Egg in the spring,” he said, referring to the series order for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, based on GoT author George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas.

“I wouldn’t say there is anything else in that world that is close to a green light or anything, but we are always working on different scripts and ideas.”

Related: Everything to Know About 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight'

What is the storyline of the Jon Snow spinoff?

No plot details have been announced for the potential series; it's simply been billed as “a live-action spinoff series centered on the fan-favorite character Jon Snow.” But the Game of Thrones finale laid the groundwork for an intriguing next chapter for Jon, who was exiled from Westeros after killing Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), and left everything he knew behind to join the Wildings beyond The Wall. His discovery of his true heritage as a Targaryen also played a central role in the season, and assuming the spinoff takes place soon after the ending of Game of Thrones, he’ll surely continue to wrestle with that reality.

What has George R.R. Martin said about a Jon Snow spinoff?

Martin has confirmed that he’s involved with the development of Snow, and has shared a few tidbits about the show via his website, including the fact that Harington himself came up with the concept. “It was Kit Harington who brought the idea to us," the author wrote, adding that Harington handpicked the showrunner and writing staff. “I cannot tell you the names of the writers/showrunners, since that has not been cleared for release yet…but Kit brought them in too, his own team, and they are terrific."

Related: 30 Shows Like 'Game of Thrones'

What Game of Thrones cast members could be in a Jon Snow spinoff?

Kit Harington

Back when the project was first announced, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Kit Harington is attached and will reprise his iconic role as Jon Snow if the series moves forward. But he’s clearly been sworn to secrecy. During a January 2023 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, he dodged Fallon’s question about the project with a coy: “I can’t say anything,” before going on to joke about his motivation for (hypothetically) wanting to play Jon Snow again. "I walk down the street and I get recognized a little less nowadays, and it kind of hurts my ego, you know?” he said. “I'm pretty close to putting on some furs. I got a tally in my head of how few photos I get asked for in a day. And when it gets below a certain number, I think I'll do a spinoff."

Maisie Williams

Since the project is in early development, there’s no word on what other Game of Thrones actors could reprise their roles alongside Harington. But since this is the first potential spinoff series that would be set after the events of the GoT finale, there’s plenty of scope for surviving characters with ties to Jon to show up, including the Stark sisters. Maisie Williams, for one, sounds excited about the show. “We had such a rich show, and there's still so much story to tell,” she told People. “I think it's really exciting, and I think that Kit is such a phenomenal actor. Him playing Jon Snow was just like a cultural reset. I think everything that he touches is magic, and I'm excited to see what it's going to be.”

Gwendoline Christie

Brienne of Tarth is another fan favorite character who could feasibly show up in Snow, and when she was asked about the project, Christie seemed open to the possibility of returning. “Brienne of Tarth is incredibly close to my heart, and I would relish any opportunity to revisit her. I believe she is enduring,” she told Newsweek.

How to watch the Jon Snow spinoff

If Snow makes it to series, it’s safe to bet that it’ll air on HBO in the coveted Sunday night primetime slot. But given the combined impact of the writers' and actors' strikes on Hollywood development and production, it’s bound to be a while before there’s any firm news on the show’s future, let alone a potential airdate.

Next, Fire Will Reign Again! All About 'House of the Dragon' Season 2