George RR Martin: No ‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoffs and No Assurance of 2017 Release Date for ‘The Winds of Winter’

 George R.R. Martin
George R.R. Martin at a book signing for ''A Dance of Dragons'' July 14, 2011. AP Photo/Charles Sykes

"Game of Thrones" creator George RR Martin has clarified there will be follow up shows once the epic fantasy series runs its course on HBO but not necessarily spinoffs. And "The Winds of Winter" remains unfinished so it makes sense not to expect a 2017 release date.

Martin took to his blog to confirm the recent announcement made by HBO that the saga surrounding Westeros will be extended beyond the Game of Thrones Season 8. He revealed that projects are now underway and there are ongoing collaborations with five different writers. But Martin made clear HBO was not talking about GoT sequels or prequels.

Whatever will be finalized later on, they will be called "successor shows," according to GRRM. "I don't especially like the term "spinoff," and I don't think it really applies to these new projects," Martin said, explaining that the end products are actually fresh story lines that will make use of "secondary universe," as the general setting.

There was no intention to look back or move forward coming from the Game of Thrones as Martin dismissed the possibility of "Robert's Rebellion" or the "Dunk and Egg" as among the projects being developed by his team. GRRM said Robert's Rebellion, seen by many as the precursor to the Game of Thrones storyline, will be fully discussed by the time "A Song of Ice and Fire" gets completed.

Essentially, the author was hinting whatever questions GoT fans have on Robert's Rebellion they will be sufficiently addressed when The Winds of Winter and "A Dream of Spring", volume six and seven respectively of ASOIAF, are completed.

"By the time I finish writing A SONG OF ICE & FIRE, you will know every important thing that happened in Robert's Rebellion," Martin wrote on his blog.

And to further clarify, Martin said it would be an exaggeration to expect five successors shows to the Game of Thrones. The truth is HBO contracted his team of five writers to develop five pilot scripts that in reality will not lead to the production of equal numbers of television series.

Ideally, five news shows to replace the Game of Thrones would be great but the GoT creator reminded his blog followers: "Decades of experience in television and film have taught me that nothing is ever really certain... but I do think it's very unlikely that we'll be getting four (or five) series. At least not immediately."

None of these pilot scripts will lead to spinoffs, prequels or sequels, Martin reiterated.

As for TWoW that is now six years in the making, GRRM is clear on this subject. "I am still working on Winds of Winter and I will continue working on it until it's done."

Will the tome be wrapped up and hopefully get a 2017 release date? Such a prospect seems bleak considering the many things that keep Martin awake and busy - the five pilot scripts, four new books outside of ASOIAF and the ongoing work on TWoW.

It could be that The Winds of Winter will materialize this year but GRRM said he would need a little help from Science. "I will confess, I do wish I could clone myself, or find a way to squeeze more hours into the day, or a way to go without sleep," Martin said.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.