HBO Exploring Arya Stark–Led Game of Thrones Spinoff After Jon Snow Series Falls Apart

HBO is quietly developing a new Game of Thrones spinoff centered on Arya Stark, though the project is still in its earliest stages and far from guaranteed to move forward.

According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, the potential series is being developed with a writer already attached but no cast confirmed — including Maisie Williams, who famously played Arya in the original show. The network has not officially announced the project, and author George R.R. Martin declined to comment on specifics.

What is clear is that HBO is still searching for the right way to expand the Game of Thrones universe after abandoning an earlier sequel idea focused on Jon Snow.

Why the Jon Snow Spinoff Didn’t Happen

The report sheds new light on the scrapped Jon Snow sequel, which would have followed Kit Harington’s character after the events of the original series. Harington reportedly pushed for a bleak and deeply psychological story, portraying Snow as a traumatized, isolated man living with severe PTSD.

In the proposed storyline, Jon Snow would discard his famous sword, Longclaw, chase away his direwolf Ghost, and spend his days building cabins only to burn them down — a symbol of his inner collapse. Most strikingly, Harington did not want Jon Snow to be a traditional hero and even envisioned the character dying by the end of the series.

Ultimately, HBO decided the concept was too dark to continue developing. In the years since, Harington has said no story ever felt strong enough to justify the project. More recently, he has made it clear he’s ready to move on, bluntly rejecting the idea of returning to the role in any form.

Why Arya Makes Sense for HBO

With the Jon Snow sequel shelved, HBO now appears to be looking at Arya Stark as an alternative gateway back into the world of Westeros — or rather, beyond it.

Arya was last seen sailing west, alone and curious, heading toward uncharted territory. The new project is reportedly set on the continent of Essos, allowing the story to remain connected to Game of Thrones while staying largely separate from its surviving cast and familiar political conflicts.

The series is being developed by Quoc Dang Tran, who previously worked on Apple TV+’s Drops of God. As of now, there’s no indication whether the show would bring back familiar characters or introduce an entirely new supporting cast.

A Franchise HBO Isn’t Letting Go Of

Even if the Arya spinoff never makes it to screen, the report makes one thing clear: HBO is fully committed to Game of Thrones as a long-term franchise.

The network has already laid out a multi-year plan that includes future seasons of House of the Dragon and the upcoming spinoff Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with content mapped out through at least 2028.

Whether Arya Stark’s next adventure becomes part of that future remains uncertain. For now, it’s simply another idea — but one that shows HBO is still determined to keep the world of Game of Thrones alive for years to come.