Jon Snow returns: Possible storylines for HBO’s Game of Thrones spin-off

Image: Game of Thrones/HBO
Image: Game of Thrones/HBO
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Kit Harington’s Jon Snow was hands down one of the best things about Game of Thrones. He remains a fan favorite even four years after the show ended, so naturally fans got excited when we learned that HBO is developing a sequel series about the character. According to Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, the series is Harington’s brainchild, who brought in his own creative team to pitch the show. He called it Snow.

The latest update on the sequel is that producers are working on it, but there’s “no determination on whether it can go all the way.” If this show does go forward, we would expect it to continue the stories of characters who survived through to the end of Game of Thrones. While Emilia Clarke is unlikely to reprise her role as Daenerys Targaryen, actors like Maisie Williams (Arya Stark), Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth), and John Bradley (Samwell Tarly) have all signaled that they’re to the possibility of returning.

If this show happens, it could essentially serve as a ninth season of Game of Thrones. Let’s take a look at the possible storylines Snow could explore:

Game of Thrones
Credit: HBO

Jon Snow in the North

When we last saw Jon Snow, he was headed into the icy north with Tormund Giantsbane and what remained of the wildlings after being exiled from the Seven Kingdoms. That was the compromise the leaders of Westeros made with Grey Worm, who remained to argue on behalf of Daenerys Targaryen after Jon killed her in the series finale.

Snow could get into what Jon does beyond the Wall. With the Night King gone, there’s no longer much to fear. However, the show can easily create a new danger, perhaps exploring the villain’s origins.

In the Song of Ice and Fire books by George R.R. Martin, the Night King is the name given to the 13th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, who is seduced by a female White Walker, turns to the dark side, and leads the Watch to commit several atrocities. He was defeated by the-then King Beyond the Wall and Brandon Stark of Winterfell. According to Old Nan, the Night King was a Stark as well.

With some tweaks here and there, Jon could fit into the role of Bran the Breaker and defeat a new incarnation of the Night King. He would finally fulfill the role of the “Chosen One,” which is an archetype he was long associated with. The show would need to make sure the new king looked and felt very different from the one we met on Game of Thrones.