Game of Thrones: Let’s dreamcast a Robert’s Rebellion prequel show

Who should play young Robert Baratheon, Ned Stark, Aerys Targaryen and others in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel about Robert’s Rebellion?

Game of Thrones is well over a year gone, but HBO seems determined for it to live on. It’s working on a prequel series, House of the Dragon, as we speak, and we’ve heard that there are several more shows in the pipeline. That includes one about Robert’s Rebellion, the war that toppled the Targaryen dynasty and put Robert Baratheon on the Iron Throne some 16 years before the events of the original series.

We don’t know much about the series as yet, including casting details, story elements, or even whether the project will be a mini-series, a full spin-off show, or a movie or series of movies. My preference would be for movies, since fans pretty much know everything that happens in Robert’s Rebellion after learning about it on Game of Thrones.

That said, it’s still a story worth telling, especially since it would let us meet younger versions of the characters we got to know on the original show. Here are just a few of the central characters expected to playa role, and which actors we think could play them. Let’s start with Aerys Targaryen, Daenerys’ famously mad father:

Aerys Targaryen, the Mad King

1. David Rintoul

Rintoul played the role of the Mad King on Game of Thrones in one of Bran’s Three-Eyed Raven visions. He wasn’t asked to do much, but even just with his one iconic line — “Burn them all!” — he captured the essence of the feared ruler who burned his enemies alive with wildfire. HBO may choose to keep Rintoul for the prequel to keep things consistent.

Rintoul has been working consistently in Hollywood for quite some time; you can see him now as Michael Adeane in The Crown on Netflix.

2. John Noble

Fantasy fans will remember John Noble for ruining grape tomatoes forever in his stirring performance as Denethor in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King. If he could bring an ounce of the Mad King energy he had in that role to Aerys, he would be the perfect choice to bring that character to life. All you would have to do it make his hair white. Otherwise, he’s pretty good to go as is!

3. Ian McKellen

This one comes a little bit out of left field. I include McKellen because, when you’re looking for high caliber, prestige English actors with experience in fantasy, there aren’t many people better. He would bring a level of likability and depth to the character that could help sell the tragedy of his downfall. It was said that Aerys was charming earlier in his reign; he wasn’t always the Mad King.