George R.R. Martin fans ‘annoyed’ over Game of Thrones prequel The Mad King

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George R.R. Martin revealed he’s working on a new stage play based on the world of Game of Thrones, called ‘The Mad King.’ While some are excited, many fans of the ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ books are disappointed, as they’ve been waiting for the next book in the series for a long time.

It’s an exciting time to be a fan of this fantasy world! “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” has been very popular, a second season is coming, and the third season of “House of the Dragon” will premiere on HBO in June 2026.

So, I just heard they’re making a stage play called Game of Thrones: The Mad King! It’s going to be a prequel, focusing on that huge tourney at Harrenhal. Apparently, that’s where everything really kicked off leading to Robert’s Rebellion – I’m super excited to see how they bring that story to life on stage!

So, I was really excited about this, but it looks like we in the US won’t be able to see it right away. It’s actually premiering over in the UK, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Honestly, though, that’s not even the biggest bummer. Something else is really bothering fans, and it’s not just the location.

George R.R. Martin fans divided over Game of Thrones play

Many fans are frustrated because George R.R. Martin still hasn’t finished writing “The Winds of Winter,” the second-to-last book in his popular “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. This is a complaint that has been made repeatedly.

For fifteen years, the author has been working on a novel, and people have repeatedly asked him to finish it. He’s even called it “the curse of my life” due to how long it’s taken and how much it’s weighed on him.

Progress has been slow partly because Martin is working on many other projects, especially those related to the Game of Thrones world. He recently updated his “Not A Blog” website to announce a play about the Mad King.

He said watching the Royal Shakespeare Company perform Westeros feels so surreal, he sometimes wonders if it’s all a dream.

I’m a big Shakespeare enthusiast, and it probably won’t surprise anyone to hear that I especially love his history plays. My favorite of these are the ones focusing on the Wars of the Roses.

George R.R. Martin jokingly admits he’s behind schedule on his book, ‘The Winds of Winter,’ and says he wants to finish writing it before considering a guest appearance on ‘House of the Dragon’.

— ScreenTime (@screentime) July 23, 2022

We’ve assembled a fantastic creative team for this production. The adaptation will be done by Duncan Macmillan, who won awards for his work on ‘People, Places and Things,’ and the direction will be led by Dominic Cooke, the new artistic director of the Almeida Theatre. He’s previously directed successful shows like ‘Good,’ ‘Follies,’ and ‘The Hollow Crown’.

It’s been both exciting and a privilege to work with these talented individuals. Priority tickets will be available starting April 14th, and fans who want to be the first to know when they go on sale should consider joining the Royal Shakespeare Company as a member for updates.

I was reading the A Song of Ice and Fire subreddit, and someone pointed out something really funny. Apparently, it’s the only franchise they can think of that’s had three TV shows made from it, but the books the shows are based on are still unfinished – and might never be finished! It’s a pretty wild situation when you think about it.

One person joked that they’d likely see a spin-off novel focused on fire magic before they ever got the next book in the main A Song of Ice and Fire series. Another fan said they’d even be happy with a stage play adaptation of The Winds of Winter at this point, addressing the author, George R.R. Martin.

Someone else added that it would have been great to see these books completed, but as they are now, it’s frustrating. However, they think if this project is successful, it might finally convince George to approve a TV series about Robert’s Rebellion.

The Mad King play could reveal Ice and Fire mysteries

Many fans are disappointed that plot points originally expected to be revealed in the upcoming Ice and Fire books are now appearing in the stage play instead.

Okay, so I’m really excited about this new Game of Thrones prequel, ‘The Mad King’. Basically, it takes us way back before the events of the show we all know. The story starts with winter ending and spring arriving at this huge castle called Harrenhal. There’s this big, fancy party happening before a jousting tournament, and everyone’s hooking up and gossiping about who’s going to compete. It’s setting the stage for a lot of drama, I can feel it!

However, hidden from view, concern is growing over the ruthless actions of the king. Within his own court, those who disagree are secretly planning a rebellion. Meanwhile, the sounds of war are drawing closer.

A struggle for power will put family ties, age-old predictions, and the rightful heir to the throne to the ultimate test. As battles rage, it won’t be the most justified side that wins, but the one that controls the narrative.

George R.R. Martin says he has no intention of abandoning ‘The Winds of Winter,’ as finishing the book is extremely important to him and he wouldn’t consider it a success if he didn’t. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter)

— ScreenTime (@screentime) January 16, 2026

Because the play takes place during the tournament at Harrenhal – the same one where the enigmatic Knight of the Laughing Tree first appeared – it has the opportunity to finally show that meeting and reveal more about the political conflicts that led to Robert’s Rebellion.

A Reddit user expressed disappointment that the story of the Knight of the Laughing Tree and its mysteries might be revealed in a separate play, away from the characters who originally presented it and are crucial to understanding its significance.

I sympathize with Martin, but his decision to continue the story after the Storm arc seems more and more misguided with each passing year. Another commenter expressed similar disappointment, saying it feels like he’s lost interest in the project.

One person pointed out that the identity of the Knight of the Laughing Tree was revealed outside of the book series itself. They also predicted we’ll likely find out that Jenny of Oldstones is the song Rhaegar played, which caused Lyanna to weep.

George R.R. Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’ Play to Open at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
byu/DemiFiendRSA ingameofthrones

I’m so excited! Someone just pointed out that we’re finally going to get official confirmation that Lyanna was the Knight of the Laughing Tree. And it sounds like we might even find out if she went with Rhaegar of her own free will – which I always suspected she did, honestly!

Okay, so not everyone is hating on this news – a lot of us are actually really excited to see how this game translates to the stage! I saw someone comment that it’ll be fascinating to watch the story play out as a live performance, and honestly, I agree. I’m really curious to see what they do with it.

Someone else commented, saying that despite everything else, this was a really meaningful gesture for George, knowing how much he loves Shakespeare.

Another fan commented that they’re excited to finally see Rhaegar and Lyanna as fully developed characters, considering how much of a mystery they remain in the original series.

Someone also pointed out that the ‘Winds’ series won’t be released as long as the author is still living, and that’s actually beneficial for fans because it allows him to continue developing the story and its world.

If you’re like me and can’t get enough of Game of Thrones, you should definitely check out the info on that Jon Snow spin-off they’re making. I also put together a quick guide to all the Targaryen kings, and another one covering everything about the Seven Kingdoms – perfect for brushing up on your lore!

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2026-02-19 14:21