Summary

• Jon Snow spinoff being shelved by HBO avoids potential storytelling challenges and maintains focus on prequel projects.
• The cancellation highlights HBO's commitment to quality over rushing new shows in the Game of Thrones franchise.
• Without source material and unresolved plot holes, a Jon Snow sequel faced significant hurdles in development.

Game of Thrones' Game of Thrones' ending back in 2019, though only one - House of the Dragon - has made it to air so far. However, while most of the shows in development are prequels, Jon Snow's was the only sequel.

It was first reported back in 2022 that Kit Harington was developing a Harington revealing the Jon Snow spinoff has been shelved, as he and the writers couldn't crack the story. Although this is cause for disappointment, as the prospect of seeing Harington as Jon again was exciting, it's ultimately for the best, given what the spinoff would've needed to accomplish.

Jon Snow's Spinoff Would Have Been Game Of Thrones Season 9

Kit Harington's Hero Was The Main Character

Harington's Jon Snow show may have been billed as a spinoff, but that's not entirely accurate. While Game of Thrones' cast was a large ensemble and there were a number of storylines and characters, Jon Snow was, by the end, the show's main character. He had the clearest hero's journey, going from bastard to King in the North, while being the secret heir to the Iron Throne, and was the center of the show's very final scene. Since he's the main character, then it's not just a spinoff, but a real continuation: essentially, it would be Game of Thrones season 9.

That would then bring its own issues. Because of Jon's status, then it would be very hard, if not impossible, to do a spinoff without addressing what was happening elsewhere in Westeros. It would be bizarre, for instance, to not at least have updates on the likes of Bran and Sansa Stark. That's a double-edged sword sharper than any Valyrian steel: to ignore them would make it the biggest thing viewers wondered about; to include them would overshadow Jon's central story, assuming it was something away from Westerosi politics.

In effect, Jon Snow's spinoff would need to work well enough as Game of Thrones season 9, but without literally being Game of Thrones season 9, putting it in what would likely be a lose-lose situation.

Having actors return would be its own hurdle within that - some may be willing for a small role, others may feel they've moved on from the show and it's better left in the past. Whether they return or not, their storylines would need to be addressed. In effect, Jon Snow's spinoff would need to work well enough as Game of Thrones season 9, but without literally being Game of Thrones season 9, putting it in what would likely be a lose-lose situation.

It's Clear Why Game Of Thrones' Jon Snow Sequel Struggled To Find A Story

Game Of Thrones Season 8 Didn't Set Up A Sequel

Harington revealed that the Jon Snow spinoff isn't happening because they couldn't find the right story to tell and, looking back at Game of Thrones season 8, that isn't particularly surprising. While he is still alive, Jon Snow going back beyond the Wall did not set up future stories for the character. It was designed as a full circle moment, for him leaving Westeros and war behind. His fight his over, he's said his goodbyes, and now he can find peace. That's not an easy starting position for a new show.

Jon Snow's spinoff story struggles are even more understandable when considering there is no source material to pull from. Game of Thrones' issues really started when it overtook George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire books, with the lack of blueprint very evident in the final episodes. Given how big a problem that was for the show, which did at least have some notes from Martin to work off, then it'd be even harder to go beyond what would likely be the end of the books' story.

Jon Snow's Spinoff Not Happening Is Still Surprising (But For The Best)

It Seemed Like A Sure Thing For HBO

The Jon Snow spinoff not moving forward at HBO is, in some ways, quite surprising. As mentioned, most Game of Thrones spinoffs in development are prequels - this was the only one continuing the main series. With how popular Game of Thrones was, then having a direct continuation, with the main character and lead actor back, would be a surefire hit.

HBO isn't rushing its Game of Thrones franchise and, as the cancelation of Snow shows, if something isn't right they're prepared to say they don't want it.

That makes HBO shelving the Jon Snow spinoff quite an encouraging sign. It's clear that projects won't go all the way and be ordered to series unless there's a really strong story and a lot of faith in it, which is why only House of the Dragon season 2 and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight are confirmed to be happening. HBO isn't rushing its Game of Thrones franchise and, as the cancelation of Snow shows, if something isn't right they're prepared to say they don't want it.