Game of Thrones’Jon Snow sequel is no longer happening, and that’s a shame becauseit’s the one thingThe Lord of the Ringsnever did. The initial reports of a Jon Snow spinoff series surfaced in 2022, offering hope that we’d learn what happens to Kit Harington’s character after the events ofGame of Thrones.Sadly, Harington revealed that theJon Snow series is no longer in developmentin July 2024. Given the skepticism surrounding aGame of Thronessequel, this was met with a mixture of disappointment and relief.
However,Harington’s character has one of the most open endings of the entire show, so a sequel might have worked for him. Being banished beyond the Wall opens all kinds of possibilities. Of course, with the Night King and White Walkers seemingly gone, it’s hard to say what threats Jon would face in a spinoff series. Still, there are some loose threads surrounding his character that aGame of Thronessequel could address. Additionally, a new Jon Snow story could have given HBO’s fantasy franchise the chance to do somethingLord of the Ringsdidn’t.
How Jon Snow’s Ending Paralleled Frodo In Lord Of The Rings
The Game Of Thrones Hero’s Journey Is Surprisingly Similar
Jon Snow is often compared to Aragorn fromThe Lord of the Rings,as he’s skilled with a sword, has messy hair, and is even the secret heir to the throne. However,Jon’s character arc also mirrors Frodo’s in a lot of ways— and this is especially true when it comes to their endings. ThroughoutThe Lord of the Rings,Frodo is an unlikely and often overlooked hero, and Jon matches this description as well. Because he’s a bastard, most ofGame of Thrones’major players overlook him. However, it’s thanks to him that Westeros doesn’t fall to a tyrant.
Of course,killing Daenerys for the greater good is a traumatic experience for Jon. As Tyrion puts it, he sacrifices love to do his duty to the realm. And by the timeGame of Thronesends, Jon is obviously struggling with the decisions he’s made. Both aiding Daenerys in her assault on King’s Landing and betraying her leave their mark on him. One gets the sense that he’s lost a crucial part of himself as he rides beyond the Wall with Tormund and the Wildlings. This is true of Frodo at theend ofThe Return of the Kingas well.
Frodo’s exit feels similar to Jon’s, as they both leave the homes they’ve always known filled with trauma and regret.
After his harrowing journey to destroy the One Ring,Frodo eventually makes the decision toleave Middle-earth for the Undying Lands. His departure is much more final than Jon’s, as J.R.R. Tolkien implies that those with corporeal forms cannot return from Valinor after theFall of Númenor. Still, Frodo’s exit feels similar to Jon’s, as they both leave the homes they’ve always known filled with trauma and regret. We don’t learn what happens to Frodo — though presumably he finds peace — but aGame of Thronessequel could have clarified what’s next for Jon.
Seeing Jon Snow After Game Of Thrones Is What We Didn’t Get With Frodo
The Fantasy Franchise Could Have Grappled With His Trauma
Both Frodo and Jon have similar endings, butGame of Thronescould have explored Jon’s trauma further in a sequel series.The Lord of the Ringskeeps the Undying Lands a mysterious location beyond Middle-earth, so viewers can’t see what happens to Frodo after his departure. HBO’s Jon Snow spinoff could have answered this question for Jon, though, going whereThe Lord of the Ringsnever did. So many fantasy series fail to show the toll that their adventures take on the main characters after the fact.Game of Thrones’sequel would have stood out in that regard.
Seeing how Jon heals from the events ofGame of Thronesseason 8 would have made a compelling story on its own.
Seeing how Jon heals from the events ofGame of Thronesseason 8 would have made a compelling story on its own, and that’s not accounting for whatever fantastical threats the sequel would have come up with.HBO’s canceled spinoff could have been a character study, allowing viewers to see a totally new side of Jon — and revealing if he comes back from his lowest point.The Lord of the Ringsand many other fantasy stories leave viewers to wonder if their favorite characters will be okay. The Jon Snow sequel could have offered a definitive answer.
Why Game Of Thrones' Jon Snow Spinoff Isn’t Happening
Despite having the opportunity to expand on Jon’s character,HBO’sGame of Thronessequel isn’t happening because they “couldn’t find the right story to tell.“This is what Harington toldScreen Rant,and it suggests the creators struggled to find an external threat to balance Jon’s internal struggle. The latter offers an intriguing story on its own, but the Jon Snow spinoff would need another conflict to drive things forward. With the Night King and White Walkers seemingly gone, it’s difficult to imagine what that would be.
Jon Snow Being The Prince That Was Promised Fits Game Of Thrones' Story Better Than Daenerys Does
Game of Thrones doesn’t provide a clear answer on who The Prince That Was Promised was, but the franchise’s themes point to it being Jon Snow.
Even Jon’s Targaryen heritage doesn’t mean much when you consider that Bran is on the Iron Throne. Under other circumstances, Jon’s identity could have fueled theGame of Thronessequel’s central narrative. However, Jon is unlikely to take the throne from one of his siblings. He’d also have little reason to, as he doesn’t want the responsibility that accompanies it. And Bran is unlikely to abuse his power. With multiple avenues blocked, it’s easy to see whyGame of Thrones' Jon Snow spinoff isn’t happening — even if it’s disappointing that we won’t see how he fares beyond the Wall.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
