New Game of Thrones Prequel To Show the Reign of Daenerys’ ‘Mad King’ Father

by

I’m so excited! We finally know when and where we can see the story of the Targaryens’ fall firsthand. This summer, the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon is going to premiere Game of Thrones: The Mad King, and I can’t wait to experience George R.R. Martin’s epic tale in such a famous and dramatic setting.

Game of Thrones: The Mad King play to debut at Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Game of Thrones: The Mad King tells the story of the grand tournament at Harrenhal, a lavish event that ultimately sparked Robert’s Rebellion and brought an end to the Targaryen family’s 300-year reign. The play is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s novels by Duncan Macmillan, and will be directed by Dominic Cooke.

The story takes us back to a time before the current events, as winter begins to end at Harrenhal and spring is on the horizon. A grand feast is held the night before a jousting tournament, filled with romance and speculation about the competitors. However, beneath the surface, those unhappy with the cruel King Aerys are secretly plotting against him, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

This story is especially meaningful to those who enjoyed the first series. It centers around Aerys II Targaryen, also known as the Mad King—the father of Daenerys Targaryen and the ruler Jaime Lannister famously killed, a deed that earned Jaime the nickname “Kingslayer.”

The tournament featured younger versions of familiar characters, like Ned Stark, Robert Baratheon, and a teenage Jaime Lannister, before he became a member of the Kingsguard.

Martin was genuinely surprised by how much his ‘Game of Thrones’ world has grown. He originally envisioned it as just a single book – a space for his imagination – and never expected it to become so much more. He particularly admired the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as the perfect venue to bring his stories to life.

Priority tickets go on sale April 14th. If you want to get tickets early, consider becoming a Royal Shakespeare Company member for access before the general public.

Read More

2026-02-19 08:46