20 new shows that could become the next Game of Thrones

Blood Moon (HBO)

What better way to duplicate a super-popular TV series than essentially do it again? Hence the plethora or sequels, prequels, reboots, re-imaginings and spinoffs currently abounding in the film and TV universe. Having long feasted on the financial and critical success of Game of Thrones, HBO certainly isn’t immune to the reboot virus; the company’s leading salvo comes in the form of a prequel, and there may ultimately be more than one.

The Untitled Game of Thrones Prequel (with the working title Blood Moon) is set 5,000 years before the events of the original series, in an era when Westeros is splintered into a hundred petty kingdoms. We don’t know a lot about the story, but author George R.R. Martin has said that he’d like for the show to be called “The Long Night,” since it takes place at the close of the Age of Heroes when the White Walkers first invaded Westeros. Martin has since walked that statement back, explaining that HBO hasn’t committed to anything one way or another.

While it’s somewhat disappointing that the familiar Thrones TV show characters aren’t involved, it would be fascinating to see an earlier period in the development of Westeros, one filled with warlords, more potent and prevalent magics, heroes building their own legends and, of course, the tale of the first Long Night and White Walker invasion. We’d also love to find out the story behind the creation of the Night King, and to get a look at those ice spiders.

The Untitled Game of Thrones Prequel series is expected to premiere sometime in 2020, assuming HBO picks it up to series. HBO’s attempt to replicate its Thrones success is certainly a gamble, though they do have the hugely successful first series as their launchpad.

Potential: Massive is the word. HBO has the established Game of Thrones brand and a waiting audience; if they blow this, they can only blame themselves.