Game of Thrones: The Mad King Set for 2027 Launch

The Mad King lives on! Just a day before the Royal Shakespeare Company’s sold-out run of Game of Thrones: The Mad King wraps up in Stratford-upon-Avon, it’s been confirmed that the production will make its way to London in 2027.

George R.R. Martin, the mastermind behind Game of Thrones, shared the exciting news on his blog. He expressed his delight about the premiere, stating, “I had a splendid time in Stratford-upon-Avon for the premiere of Duncan Macmillan and Dominic Cooke’s epic new stage production of Game of Thrones: The Mad King, and I’m thrilled to announce that the production will be moving on to London to share the experience with a wider audience.”

Details regarding the London venue and dates are still under wraps, and casting announcements are yet to come. Fans are hopeful that many original cast members will return. Directed by Dominic Cooke and penned by Duncan Macmillan (Every Brilliant Thing), The Mad King serves as a prequel to HBO’s Game of Thrones series, which itself is based on Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels. The play dives into the events leading up to Robert’s Rebellion, particularly focusing on the jousting tournament at Harrenhal. Audiences will see younger versions of beloved characters like Ned Stark and Robert Baratheon, alongside legendary figures such as Lyanna Stark, Rhaegar Targaryen, and the Mad King himself. At its core, the narrative revolves around the romance between Rhaegar and Lyanna, which fans know ultimately leads to the birth of Jon Snow.

Under the Royal Shakespeare Company’s direction, Martin’s intricate world of political intrigue takes on a fresh perspective, enhanced by stunning puppetry that brings the jousting scenes to life. In a review, it was noted that, “It’s hard to point to anything particularly uninspiring about The Mad King that stems from its own flaws… Judging it on its own merits transforms The Mad King into a masterpiece of pure Shakespearean art, rather than a prequel to a once-great-now-middling fantasy TV series.” Fans of the original show and lovers of Shakespearean theater alike should keep an eye out for updates on the London production as they become available.

The Mad King also adds layers to popular fan theories surrounding The Prince Who Was Promised, Daenerys, and Jon Snow.