HBO Preps ‘Game of Thrones’ Spin-Off Series With George R.R. Martin

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Game of Thrones’ Photo: Keith Bernstein

HBO is developing four potential Game of Thrones spin-off series that will explore different time periods in George R.R. Martin’s expansive Westeros universe. Writers Max Borenstein, Jane Goldman, Carly Wray and Oscar-winner Brian Helgeland have been tapped to work with Thrones author on developing new premises. 

“There is no set timetable for these projects,” HBO said. “We’ll take as much or as little time as the writers need and, as with all our development, we will evaluate what we have when the scripts are in.”

D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, the Game of Thrones show-runners, will serve as executive producers on the new projects, but will not contribute as writers. The writers tapped for the Game of Thronesspin-off series have amassed an impressive mix of credits. Borenstein recently penned the Godzilla reboot and Kong: Skull Island. Wray served as a staff writer on Mad Men and now writes for HBO’s The Leftovers.

Goodman wrote the screenplay for X-Men: First Class. Most recently, she penned the screenplay for Tim Burton’s adaptation of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

Helgeland is a Hollywood veteran, having won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for L.A. Confidential and scoring another nomination for his take on Mystic River. Helgeland also wrote the Jackie Robinson biopic 42, Man on Fire and A Knight’s Tale. The Game of Thrones spin-off marks his first foray into television in decades, having previously contributed to the horror series Friday’s Curse and Tales from the Crypt.

Game of Thrones begins its seventh season July 16th and wrap up its impressive run next year after Season Eight.