George R. R. Martin, the famous author behind the Game of Thrones series, is thrilled that a specific part of the story is finally being brought to life on screen.
A new play called Game of Thrones: The Mad King, written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, will premiere this summer at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The play focuses on the events of the Tourney at Harrenhal, which happened roughly fifteen years before the start of the Game of Thrones series – an event frequently mentioned and built up by author George R.R. Martin on his website.
According to George R.R. Martin’s website, he’s announced a tournament event taking place this summer. The event will feature characters like Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, the Stark siblings (Eddard, Brandon, Benjen, and Lyanna), Robert Baratheon, and Elia Martell. Jamie Lannister will also play a significant role.
George R.R. Martin says seeing Westeros come to life on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company is so amazing, it feels like a dream. He’s thrilled to see this historical event from the world of Game of Thrones finally realized and praises the production team. He even notes that the character Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, will be featured, and Martin himself plans to be in the audience.
In George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, the Tourney at Harrenhal marks the start of Robert’s Rebellion. This war ultimately ended the Targaryen dynasty’s nearly 300-year rule and led to Robert Baratheon becoming king. The trouble began when Prince Rhaegar, who was next in line for the throne, won the tourney but chose Lyanna, not his wife Elia, as the queen of love and beauty.
After Lyanna was believed to have been kidnapped by Rhaegar Targaryen, her brothers started a war with the Targaryens. However, Lyanna actually left willingly with Rhaegar, hoping to end his current marriage so they could marry. She had a son before she died, and this child – Jon Snow – was raised as the supposed illegitimate son of her brother, Ned Stark.
The new play, Game of Thrones: The Mad King, is expected to feature a tragic romance. It will bring back familiar characters from the Game of Thrones series – Ned Stark (Sean Bean), Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) – who haven’t been seen on stage since the original show. Rhaegar and Lyanna will also appear briefly through flashback scenes, played by Wilf Scolding and Aisling Franciosi.
As a big fan, I’m thrilled to see the world of Song of Ice and Fire keep growing! This year, we got A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which was a huge hit and is already coming back for another season. Plus, we’re expecting season 3 of House of the Dragon in June, which I can’t wait for!
This approach offers fans a compelling way to see how different versions of the story connect, revealing how decisions made by characters in the past impact future generations. Martin is especially pleased that the Tourney at Harrenhal – a crucial event in Westeros’s history – will be featured in this way.
Tickets for Game of Thrones: The Mad King are expected to go on sale in April 2026.
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2026-02-20 21:11