
Although the author may not finish the Game of Thrones book series as originally intended, the world of Game of Thrones continues to expand with new stories and content.
As a huge fan, it feels like there’s always more Game of Thrones content! Between the books that aren’t finished and all the new shows on HBO, now there’s a play too! I’m really excited about Game of Thrones: The Mad King, which the Royal Shakespeare Company is putting on this summer.
Here is how they describe the play:
Step back in time to a world on the brink of change. As winter ends and spring arrives at Harrenhal, a grand feast is held before a jousting tournament, filled with romance and whispers about the upcoming competition. However, beneath the celebrations, a secret plot against the cruel and unstable king is brewing. Meanwhile, the sounds of war echo in the distance. This is a story of family, destiny, and the fight for the throne – a dangerous struggle where loyalties will be tested and only the strongest will survive. Who will claim victory?
George R.R. Martin, the author of the books that inspired Game of Thrones, created the stage play. Duncan Macmillan helped adapt the story for the stage, and Dominic Cooke is directing the production.

No casting was announced for the show as of yet.
The Game of Thrones stage play is similar to The First Shadow, a Stranger Things prequel that recently debuted in London and moved to Broadway (where it’s still playing at the Marquis Theater). Both shows explore the backstory of their respective worlds.
This summer, a new play called Game of Thrones: The Mad King will debut at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. If it’s a hit, it’s likely to move to Broadway. On television, the Game of Thrones story continues with two prequel series – House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – and more are currently being planned.
10 Controversial TV Recasts That Fans Still Can’t Get Over

Darrin Stephens in Bewitched
It’s generally risky for a TV show to replace a main character, but Bewitched did just that, swapping out the actor who played Darrin Stephens, Samantha’s husband. Dick York, the original Darrin for the first five seasons, was injured while filming the movie They Came to Cordura before even starting on Bewitched. This led to a long hospital stay, a spinal condition that worsened over time, and a lifelong dependence on pain medication. Filming Bewitched was physically demanding for him, and after collapsing on set near the end of season five, he chose to leave the show. Dick Sargent then took over the role of Darrin for the remaining three seasons until the series ended.

Ellie Ewing in Dallas
Similar to what happened on Bewitched with York, actress Bel Geddes had to leave Dallas after undergoing emergency heart bypass surgery. Her health issues made it impossible to continue playing Miss Ellie Ewing, the show’s matriarch. Instead of removing the character, the show replaced Geddes with Donna Reed for the eighth season. Thankfully, Geddes recovered and returned to the role a year later, continuing to play Miss Ellie until the show’s fourteenth and final season. It was likely confusing for viewers to see a new actress take on such a well-known character while the rest of the cast seemed to carry on as usual.

Aunt Viv in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
When an actor is suddenly replaced on a TV show, it’s usually due to disagreements with the show’s creators. This happened when Janet Hubert, who played Aunt Vivian Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, left the series. Her departure caused a lot of discussion among fans, particularly because the role was immediately recast with Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played Aunt Viv for the rest of the show. Later, details emerged about the real reason for the change. Hubert’s pregnancy, which was incorporated into the show’s storyline, technically broke her contract. Combined with a conflict with Will Smith – who accused her of trying to make the show about her character – she was fired. Hubert later wrote that this decision significantly harmed her career.

Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones
Fans of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series expected Daario Naharis, introduced in Season 3 of Game of Thrones as an ally to Daenerys Targaryen, to become a significant character. So, it was jarring when the show recast the role with a completely different actor. Ed Skrein, who originally played Daario, had a very distinct, almost Fabio-like appearance, which was replaced by Michiel Huisman’s darker look—a dark beard and a casual haircut. Neither actor’s appearance matched the character’s description in the books, where Daario is known for his electric blue hair. Initially, reports suggested Skrein left to star in The Transporter Refueled, but he later stated he would have continued playing Daario if not for behind-the-scenes issues, simply calling it “politics.” The exact reasons remain unclear, but the political landscape of the Free Cities in Essos is notoriously complicated.

Batwoman in Batwoman
Ruby Rose’s role as Batwoman on The CW was historic, especially because both the actress and her character, Kate Kane, are gay. The first season of the show was a success, but Rose didn’t return for the second. Several factors contributed to her departure, including a serious back injury, pandemic-related production issues, and reports of mistreatment on set. For the second season, Javicia Leslie was cast as a new Batwoman, Ryan Wilder, who discovers the Batwoman suit after Kate Kane vanishes. Concerns that the new casting would diminish the show’s commitment to inclusivity proved unfounded, as Ryan Wilder is also gay and Leslie identifies as bisexual.

Reggie Mantle in Riverdale
It’s easy to think of Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica as the only important characters in Riverdale. However, the show featured a lot of supporting characters with surprisingly detailed storylines. One example is Reggie Mantle, Archie’s rival. He started as a minor character but became a key part of the show—though he was played by two different actors. Ross Butler played Reggie in the first season, establishing their competitive high school relationship.
In season two, Charles Melton took over the role as Reggie’s storylines grew. Butler left to focus on 13 Reasons Why, and he didn’t hold any resentment about the recast. In fact, Riverdale brought Butler back for a special arc called Rivervale, where he played an alternate version of Reggie (“Reggie Prime”) and even had a showdown with Melton’s version in a gunfight.

Capheus in Sense8
Aml Ameen initially played Capheus, the kung fu-loving bus driver with psychic abilities, in the first season of Sense8. Toby Onwumere took over the role in the second season. While the official reason given for Ameen’s departure was creative differences, reports surfaced suggesting disagreements with co-creator Lana Wachowski. Some viewers wondered if transphobia played a part – both Wachowskis and co-star Jamie Clayton are transgender women – but those involved quickly denied those claims. It seems that sometimes, disagreements about the show’s direction are simply what they appear to be.

Laurie in That ’70s Show
Lisa Robin Kelly played Laurie Forman, the troubled sister of the Forman family, during the first three seasons of That ’70s Show. Though the character was written out mid-season three with the explanation that she was going to beauty school, she later reappeared in Season 6, now played by Christina Moore. While it seemed like a simple recast, the reason for Kelly’s departure was actually heartbreaking. She tragically lost a child, which led to struggles with alcoholism that prevented her from continuing in the role, even when the show brought the character back.

James Kent in True Blood
Though not every part of the show holds up today, True Blood was innovative in how it depicted LGBT+ characters. It used the struggles of vampires as a sometimes awkward symbol for the experiences of queer people, and featured a diverse cast. However, Luke Grimes, who initially played the vampire James Kent, was replaced by Nathan Parsons after only one season.
The change reportedly happened because the show planned to have James end his relationship with Jessica (played by Deborah Ann Woll, a friend of Grimes) and begin a romance with Lafayette (played by Nelsan Ellis) in Season 7. According to reports, Grimes disagreed with the showrunners about portraying a gay relationship and was subsequently fired and replaced.

Geralt in The Witcher
Netflix’s series The Witcher has had a mixed reception from fans. Some appreciated its unique storytelling with different timelines and changes from the original books and games, while others preferred a more faithful adaptation. Henry Cavill’s performance as Geralt was almost universally praised, making his departure and replacement by Liam Hemsworth surprising. The main reason for Cavill leaving seems to be disagreements with the writers about how the character was portrayed, though details are scarce and limited to general reports of ‘creative differences’.
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2026-02-18 23:28