Westeros will never be at peace and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series has plenty more to offer fans in 2027 and beyond, as entertainment journalist Chris Stead discovers.
Can you believe it’s already been seven years since HBO’s iconic Game of Thrones TV series came to its spectacular, if controversial, end? For those of us who love the books, it has been an agonising 15-year wait since book five, which doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon given books six and seven appear to have stalled.
Thankfully, the show has gone on in other ways, giving those of us clamouring for more an opportunity to jump back into Westeros. Here is how you can get your Game of Thrones fix in 2026, and what to expect in 2027.
House of the Dragon
Like most fans, I felt the quality of the last few seasons of Game of Thrones dipped considerably, even though I remained fixated to the wonderful performances and characters. When the first spin-off, House of the Dragon, landed, I approached with caution.
Thankfully, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. In many ways it got back to what the original series did so right – focusing on character and the high-stakes political chess that is the game of thrones. All while filling us in on the Targaryen backstory, filling in the events that unfolded some 190-170 years before Daenerys got herself some dragon eggs.
Three seasons are all now available on HBO Max in Australia to be streamed in full. While a fourth and final season is in production with an expected release date in 2028.
If you’re not familiar with HBO Max, the app will feel like a familiar experience across all devices, utilising the accepted horizontal tiled approach. At its highest subscription tier, you get 4K and Dolby Vision support, too.
All of HBO’s TV series can be found there, dating back to the likes of Band of Brothers, True Detective, Sopranos and The Wire, all the way through to modern classics like The White Lotus, The Pitt and The Last of Us. A Harry Potter series is the hottest topic for 2027.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
While perhaps not the second spin-off many of us wanted – more Jon Snow please! – at least Knight of the Seven Kingdoms had proper source material. A spin-off not just as a TV show, it’s based on George R. R. Martin’s Dunk & Egg stories, also set in Westeros.
Moving up to roughly 100 years before the original series, the Targaryens are well entrenched on the Iron Throne and both magic and dragons are long forgotten. It follows Dunk (Ser Duncan the Tall), a large, naive, good-hearted hedge knight, and Egg, his sharp, bald-headed boy squire who knows far more about how the world works than his master.
The first season faithfully covers The Hedge Knight novella, building around a jousting tournament at Ashford and Dunk’s quest for glory, respect and a place in the world.
The episodes are short (around 30–35 minutes and only six in total), but the story is small, intimate and character-driven rather than epic. The chemistry between perfectly cast leads Peter Claffey (Dunk) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) is great. As are the supporting cast. While the production values hit the high-water mark HBO has set for itself.
Stick with it through the sluggish start, as it builds warmly and without the brutality of its sister projects. It’s an easy watch overall; light-hearted at times and not awfully deep. But exists specifically for an audience already invested and wanting more. You’ll like it.
A second season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, covering the second novella, The Sworn Sword, is expected to come out early 2027, too. The book isn’t tournament based either, and instead follows a land and water dispute in the Reach, so expect something different.
Like all the Game of Thrones content, it’s only available on HBO Max in Australia.
What’s Next for Game of Thrones
HBO and its parent company Warner Bros have no plans on slowing down with Game of Thrones. Four more spin-offs are in various stages of production, without being formally locked in. Plus, there’s a film.
Ten Thousand Ships:
This is a prequel following the Rhoynar warrior queen Nymeria, who led her people by sea across the world and ultimately to Dorne (in the far south of Westeros). Legend tells she then burned her fleet to prevent a retreat. Set around 1,000 years before the main series it’s expected to lean into female-led, feminist themes.
Status: In development for a long time now, with initial scripts scrapped.
The Sea Snake / Nine Voyages:
This will focus on Corlys Velaryon, aka the Sea Snake, from House of the Dragon, chronicling the early nautical voyages that built his legend and fortune. It’s set a few decades before the events of House of the Dragon and could end up being animated.
Status: Concept stage.
Snow:
A sequel set after Game of Thrones, following Jon Snow in the North beyond the Wall after his exile, with Kit Harington attached to star. There’s also rumours my other favourite character, Arya Stark, may also have a role.
Status: On-and-off again, but there’s demand.
The Golden Empire:
An animated expansion set in Yi Ti, the mystical eastern realm of Essos far from Westeros. It’s loosely modelled on imperial China and steeped in ancient myth and legend. It would explore a part of Martin’s world never seen on screen, well outside the Seven Kingdoms.
Status: The concept art has reportedly been praised by George R.R. Martin, but little more than that is known.
Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest (film):
This story would dramatise the foundational event of Westerosi history: Aegon I Targaryen’s conquest of the Seven Kingdoms roughly 300 years before Game of Thrones. His sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys and their dragons Balerion, Vhagar and Meraxes, are also involved in establishing the Targaryen dynasty.
Status: Confirmed and being written by TV veteran Beau Willimon (House of Cards, Andor).
