HBO Confirms Early Development of ‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoff Centered on Arya Stark – Here Are The Details

HBO is quietly working on a new Game of Thrones spinoff that will follow Arya Stark, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. The project is still in “very early development,” and while a writer has already joined the team, no actors have been cast, including Maisie Williams, who originally played Arya. George R.R. Martin, the author of A Song of Ice and Fire, declined to comment on the project.

This new Arya-focused series seems to be a replacement for a previously discussed sequel that would have centered on Jon Snow. That project, which involved Kit Harington, never moved forward. According to the report, Harington had envisioned a darker story for Snow, portraying him as “a broken man with PTSD” living alone, giving up his sword Longclaw, sending away his direwolf Ghost, and burning the cabins he built. Harington also reportedly wanted his character to die, rejecting the idea of a heroic arc.

HBO ultimately passed on that Jon Snow series, believing it was too bleak. Harington later confirmed he has no plans to return to the character, saying, “No, god no. I don’t wanna go anywhere near it. I spent 10 years doing that. Thanks, I’m alright.”

Now, HBO is taking a similar approach with Arya. The spinoff is expected to explore her journey across Essos, picking up from where she was last seen sailing off alone in the final season of Game of Thrones. The goal is to expand the Thrones universe with a story that introduces new characters while remaining geographically separate from the remaining main cast.

It’s still unclear how far the Arya project will develop, but HBO’s roadmap for the Game of Thrones franchise remains ambitious. Alongside this spinoff, House of the Dragon and Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are planned through 2028, signaling the network’s long-term commitment to building the world of Westeros on screen.

In my view, an Arya-centered series could be a refreshing way to explore parts of Westeros and Essos we haven’t seen before, especially since it gives fans a familiar character without relying on past storylines. What do you think? Would you watch an Arya spinoff? Share your thoughts in the comments.