Gilles 
For years, Westeros has only ever expanded in one direction: the past.
House of the Dragon tells the story of what came before Game of Thrones. So does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Even the projects that were scrapped were looking in the rearview mirror. Today, however, HBO seems ready to try something different. And this time, it might not just be the story that’s changing, it’s the format.
What we actually know about the upcoming spin-offs
The Game of Thrones universe continues to grow, though with a certain level of caution compared to other massive franchises.
Since the original series wrapped, only House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have actually made it to our screens. Other projects fell by the wayside: Bloodmoon never made it past the pilot stage, and the Jon Snow sequel seems to have been shelved indefinitely.
Meanwhile, HBO is already looking past House of the Dragon. The show is expected to conclude after its fourth season, but some characters might live on through other productions.
The most advanced candidate is The Sea Snake, focusing on Corlys Velaryon. Originally envisioned as a live-action series, the project is reportedly being developed as an animated show, a first for the Game of Thrones television franchise. Actor Steve Toussaint himself has confirmed the project is still alive, even if development seems to be moving at a glacial pace. It’s not a flashy announcement, but it could signal a major shift in strategy.
Animation: Westeros' biggest gamble yet
Since 2011, Game of Thrones has relied on an implicit promise: to present Westeros as a tangible world, complete with sets, costumes, and real actors, or at least, a grounded, realistic aesthetic.
Naturally, choosing animation completely disrupts that logic. And yet, it might be exactly what the franchise needs.
Why it's promising
- Corlys’s voyages cover regions that live-action shows could never show on such a grand scale.
- Asshai, Yi Ti, or Qarth could finally appear without the budget constraints of live-action filming.
- Animation would allow for a deeper exploration of the mythological and exotic side of George R.R. Martin’s world.
Why it's risky
- A portion of the audience still associates Game of Thrones with the prestige of live-action television.
- HBO risks presenting a project that might be perceived as "minor" despite its potential importance.
- The animated aesthetic could dilute the sense of gritty realism that made the saga a success.
Corlys Velaryon might be the best choice possible
The nine voyages of the Sea Snake are arguably some of the most spectacular stories yet to be told on screen in the Westeros universe.
Corlys sailed further than any other explorer of his time. His expeditions took him to Yi Ti, Qarth, and Asshai, building the massive fortune that would make House Velaryon one of the most powerful in the realm.
His status as an adventurer and his relationship with Rhaenys Targaryen make him the ideal candidate for a new spin-off:
• The grand explorations provide epic scale.
• The romance with Rhaenys provides the emotional core.
• The political ambition ties the narrative directly to House of the Dragon.
In other words: HBO already has the ingredients that were central to the triumph of Game of Thrones.
Westeros is expanding in every direction
But The Sea Snake is just one piece of a much larger plan:
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has already been confirmed for a second season.
- 10,000 Ships remains in development and could chronicle Nymeria's exodus to Dorne over a millennium before the events of Game of Thrones.
- Another animated project, tentatively titled The Golden Empire, would explore the lands of Yi Ti.
- George R.R. Martin has confirmed that several potential sequels are also in the works.
For a long time, HBO seemed to be searching for the "next" Game of Thrones, but it appears the studio has now decided to build a true shared universe instead.
The biggest project, however, is the movie
The most significant announcement might not even be a series, as Game of Thrones: Aegon's Conquest is now being developed as a feature film for the big screen.
The story has everything Warner Bros. executives are looking for: the Targaryens, three dragons, a war of conquest, and a foundational event in the history of Westeros.
No release date is confirmed yet and casting remains under wraps, but we do know the script is being handled by Beau Willimon, the writer behind House of Cards and Andor.
That said, given the current stage of development, a release before 2028 seems unlikely.
Waiting for the next series
Between live-action series, animated projects, potential sequels, and now feature films, Game of Thrones is looking more and more like what it long refused to be: an expansive franchise.
The question is no longer whether Westeros will continue to grow, but how far HBO is willing to stretch this universe without losing what made it unique in the first place.
We’ll find out in the coming years…