House of the Dragon was the first Game of Thrones spinoff, but it certainly won’t be the last. Even earlier Game of ThronesFinally, HBO has been exploring ways to continue telling stories in Westeros. Now that House of the Dragon itself is a great success (even if season 2 was a bit divisive due to its shorter episode count), which will only improve plans for the franchise, which will expand with A knight of the seven kingdoms‘ release sometime in 2025.
Beyond that, HBO is developing multiple Game of Thrones Spinoffs, ranging from one about Aegon’s conquest to an animated series following Corlys Velaryon on adventures around the known world, and more. House of the Dragon Season 3 has also been confirmed, and the show will end with season 4. However, there is one story in the world of George RR Martin that is currently not set for adaptation, but would be a particularly perfect replacement for HOTD.
The Blackfire Rebellions explained
It is a key part of House Targaryen’s history
The first Blackfyre Rebellion, which was a civil war between the Targaryens and the Blackfyres, took place in 196 AC, roughly 100 years earlier Game of Thrones timeline, and over 60 years later House of the Dragon Season 2 takes place. The conflict is rooted in the actions of King Aegon IV Targaryen, alias Aegon the Unworthy, who is the son of Viserys II Targaryen, and thus the grandson of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen. Aegon IV had multiple bastards and legitimized them on his deathbedIgnite a battle of succession.
The Great Bastards of King Aegon IV Targaryen |
||
---|---|---|
Name |
Mother |
Loyalty |
Daemon waters |
Daena Targaryen |
Blackfyre |
Egor Rivers |
Barbara Bracken |
Blackfyre |
Mia Rivers |
Melissa Blackwood |
Unknown |
Gwennis rivers |
Melissa Blackwood |
Unknown |
Brenden Rivers |
Melissa Blackwood |
Targaryen |
Sierra Seastar |
Serenity of Lys |
Targaryen |
Aegon’s first-born son was a bastard named Daemon Waters, who later took the name Daemon Blackfyre, beginning a cadet branch of House Targaryen. Daemon was acknowledged by his father, and even given the Valyrian steel sword, Blackfire (from which he took the name). However, Aegon was succeeded on the Iron Throne by his true-born heir, Daeron, but his reign was not entirely smooth.
A confluence of factors, including a sense of Daemon’s own greater claim, legitimacy due to the Conqueror’s Sword, and Daeron giving greater influence to Dorne over others, eventually led to Daemon made his own claim to the throne, over a decade after Daeron was crowned king. This started a fierce civil war that divided the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, lasting about a year and resulting in major casualties and, eventually, the exile of the Blackfires to Essos. However, this was not the end of the story, as four more Blackfire rebellions occurred over the next 64 years.
A Blackfire Rebellions show could be the perfect House of the Dragon replacement
It offers similar drama to HOTD and Game of Thrones
As another Targaryen civil war, The Blackfyre Rebellion feels like a natural choice to follow House of the DragonShowing once again how the Targaryens will so often be their own downfall extends the theme of the current prequel. The story has a lot of similar elements to both HOTD And game of thrones, With family drama, political intrigue, and great battles, but with its own unique beats and characters that can set it apart.
Daemon Blackfire is at the heart of it, a character who is smart, charming, fierce, beautiful, and among the greatest warriors who ever lived, especially with the sword Blackfire in his hand.
There are some key players, and some of them may be among the best we’ve seen in these Game of Thrones Franchise. Daemon Blackfire is at the heart of it, a character who is smart, charming, fierce, beautiful, and among the greatest warriors to have ever lived, especially with the sword Blackfire in his hand. King Daeron, in contrast, is wise and good-natured, but relies more on his words and his intellect than he does skill on a battlefield, allowing for a different kind of rivalry.
There is also the rivalry between Brynden Rivers, aka Bloodraven, and his half-brother Aegor Rivers, aka Bittersteel, two great warriors themselves who are important parts of Game of Thrones Story: Brynden becomes the Three-Eyed Raven, and Aegor is the founder of the Sellsword group The Golden Company. Both Bloodraven and Bittersteel held romantic feelings for their half-sister, Shiera, herself a fascinating character, considered the most beautiful woman alive and a practitioner of dark magic.
With the deep personal drama, the various machinations, and a clear opportunity for spectacle – One key action, the Battle of the Redgrass Field, may include the best sword fight ever Game of Thrones Show – Then there is a lot of potential to this story. At the same time, it can be different from House of the Dragon Since the Targaryens’ dragons had all died at this point (actually around 50 years earlier), and because it’s a tighter story.
With five rebellions in total, what I would really love is an anthology-style show telling each one in turn, which would have some returning characters and actors.
With five rebellions in total, what I would really love is an anthology-style show telling each one in turn, which would have some returning characters and actors. This would allow it to be a long-running series, but also keep it fresh and do something different to any other show in the franchise.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms can set up the Blackfire Rebellions
The rebellions are important in the tales of Dunk and Egg
The first Blackfire Rebellion is an important part of the background A knight of the seven kingdomsHistory and timeline. The first book in Martin The Tales of Dunk and Ai novels, The Hedge KnightTakes place in 209 AC, just thirteen years after the rebellion. This was also what would be the last year of Daeron II’s life and reign, and not all the wounds of the civil war had fully healed. Multiple characters in the novels fought in the rebellion, and it still defines them in many ways.
Upcoming Game of Thrones spinoffs |
||
---|---|---|
Title |
Description |
Status |
A knight of the seven kingdoms |
An adaptation of George RR Martin’s The Tales of Dunk and Egg novels |
Season 1 releasing in 2025 on HBO and Max |
House of the Dragon |
Ongoing Game of Thrones prequel, tells the story of the Targaryen Civil War, A Dance of Dragons |
Season 3 expected in 2026; Season 4 will be the last |
Aegon’s conquest |
The story of King Aegon I Targaryen and the conquest of Westeros with his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya |
In-development |
10,000 ships |
A spinoff about Princess Nymeria leading her people the Rhoynar to Dorne after a war with the Valyrian Freehold |
In-development |
No voyages |
An animated show about Corlys Velarion’s great voyages, where he sailed around the known world |
In-development |
The Golden Empire (unofficial) |
An animated show set in the empire of Yi Ti, which is in the far east of Essos |
In-development |
tobacco |
Another live-action Game of Thrones spinoff |
In-development |
tobacco |
Another animated Game of Thrones spinoff |
In-development |
The Blackfire Rebellions are an even bigger part of the second novella, The swordSince it revolves around a rivalry with a very direct connection to the war, we get a lot more of that story related directly to us. Then, in the third novel, The Mystery KnightBloodraven actually appeared. A knight of the seven kingdoms would be able to offer tantalizing teases and a taste of the Blackfire Rebellion, which would be perfect if HBO made a show about it yet House of the Dragon.