George R.R. Martin Bringing 'Game Of Thrones' To Broadway With New Prequel Story

Good news, “Game of Thrones” fans! George R.R. Martin is bringing back Ned Stark, Jamie Lannister, and other classic characters from his novels and popular HBO series. The bad news, unfortunately, is the story he is going to tell is set to be on stage.

According to THR, Martin is bringing a previously untold “Game of Thrones” story to Broadway in a new play that will feature younger versions of classic characters. The play comes from producers Simon Painter and Tim Lawson and will be written by Martin alongside award-winning playwright Duncan MacMillan. The play will be directed by Dominic Cooke.

READ MORE: George R. R. Martin Signs Massive Five-Year Deal With HBO, So Say Goodbye To The Books

Here’s the official description of the play:

“The play will for the first time take audiences deeper behind the scenes of a landmark event that previously was shrouded in mystery. Featuring many of the most iconic and well-known characters from the series, the production will boast a story centered around love, vengeance, madness and the dangers of dealing in prophecy, in the process revealing secrets and lies that have only been hinted at until now.”

For those wondering what story is being told, the play is said to show the events of the famous Great Tourney at Harrenhal, which took place 16 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.” the tournament featured folks Jamie Lannister, Lord Robert Baratheon, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Prince Oberyn Martell, and Ser Barristan Selmy. In attendance also were Ned Stark and his sister Lyanna Stark. It’s a story that has been referenced in the show and novels but never fully fleshed out.

“The seeds of war are often planted in times of peace,” Martin said. “Few in Westeros knew the carnage to come when highborn and smallfolk alike gathered at Harrenhal to watch the finest knights of the realm compete in a great tourney, during the Year of the False Spring. It is a tourney oft referred during HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ and in my novels, ‘A Song of Ice & Fire’ … and now, at last, we can tell the whole story… on the stage.”

READ MORE: HBO Has 3 More ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spinoffs In Development

He continued, “An amazing team has been assembled to tell the tale, starting with producers Simon Painter, Tim Lawson and Jonathan Sanford. Their knowledge and love of my world and characters has impressed me from the very first, and their plans for this production blew me away since the first time we met. Dominic Cooke, our director, is a former artistic director of London’s Royal Court Theatre, who brought Shakespeare’s dramas of the War of the Roses to television, and our playwright, Duncan Macmillan, has previously adapted George Orwell and Henrik Ibsen, among others. Working with them (back before the pandemic, when we could actually get together) has been a treat, and I am eager for our collaboration to resume. Our dream is to bring Westeros to Broadway, to the West End, to Australia… and eventually, to a stage near you … It ought to be spectacular.”

As of now, HBO is not involved with the production, but the report claims the studio could become involved at a later date. It’s also unclear if this is one of the stories that might have been adapted for a spinoff series or not. Regardless, if you’re a fan of “Game of Thrones” and were hoping to see more of the characters you know and love, this might be your best chance. Lord knows it might be a while (if ever) for Martin to finish the novels.