Summary
Game of Throneswas a phenomenon unlike almost anything seen on television. It’s no surprise that George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world has been mined for spin-off potential with multiple new series already in the works at HBO, but not all of them made it that far.
Game of Thronesis set in Martin’s fictional fantasy world of Westeros, which spans across vast locales and multiple cultures. Much ofGame of Thronestakes place within the seven kingdoms with Winterfell, King’s Landing, the Vale, and Dragonstone being frequent locations for the story. However, Martin has occasionally taken fans across the narrow sea to the Free Cities, often where Daenerys Targaryen was seen venturing through the cities like Qarth and Mereen before she made her way to Westeros. Many corners of Westeros are largely unexplored on screen, but it appears there were plans to explore at least one of those corners on television at one point.
Another Canceled Game of Thrones Spin-off Revealed
Game of Thronesauthor George R.R. Martin wrote inhis most recent blog postabout the inspiration behind his fictional location of Braavos, which he said wasn’t based on Venice as many of his readers believe, but is an amalgamation of places, including Amsterdam. The most important tidbit that the author dropped, however, is news of aGame of Thronesspin-off series that would have been set in Braavos. Martin said the idea was in development at HBO, but that they “shelved it” a few years ago. The author said he still hoped to return to the Braavos story idea, but that he would wait untilhis upcomingWinds of Winternovel was complete.
“One of these days I need to write that story about Braavos we were developing for HBO. They shelved that one a couple of years back, alas, but that does not mean I won’t go back to it… after ‘Winds of Winter’ is done, of course.”
Braavos is one of the Free Citiesin Martin’s fantasy world and it gets a fair bit of screen time inGame of Thrones. It serves as the home of the mysterious Faceless Man Jaqen H’ghar and the House of Black and White, which Arya Stark visits in Season 5 of the TV show. It is also notablyhome to the Iron Bank of Braavos, aka the most powerful financial institution in theGame of Thronesworld. Arya’s sword-fighting teacher inGame of ThronesSeason 1, Syrio Forel, is another notable character from Braavos.
Martin didn’t divulge further details about what the Braavos series would focus on, butGame of Thronescertainly left many lingering questions about the Free City. Arya was invited into the world of theFaceless Men in Season 5, but the exact nature of their organization is still left to the imagination. A series exploring their origins would certainly have been interesting, but it seems it may remain a mystery for now.
HBO has been working with Martin on multiple spin-offs in theGame of Thronesworld since the series ended. Some have made it to air, like the Targaryen prequelHouse of the Dragon, or theupcomingA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Others, like Naomi Watts’Bloodmoonseries which would have explored the White Walker’s origins, got as far as filming the pilot before being canceled.
It seems like a Braavos-focusedGame of Thronesspin-off won’t eventuate on HBO. However, if Martin does indeed go ahead and write the Braavos story as he said he hopes to, perhaps the network will take a second look.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones, based on the Song of Ice and Fire book series by George R.R. Martin, tells the sprawling story of warring families in Westeros. This includes the Starks, the Lannisters, the Baratheons, and the Targaryens. Along with human conflicts, Westeros is also threatened by the re-emergence of dragons, and an undead enemy from beyond the Wall.
