10 Game Of Thrones Theories That Can Be Confirmed In Upcoming Spinoffs

With several Game of Thrones spin-offs on the way, there are several theories about the original series that can be confirmed. After nearly a decade of intense theory-crafting, the infamous Game of Thrones ending left much to be desired, with fans’ imaginations ultimately surpassing the ending’s complexity. Consider the Azor Ahai prophecy theories, for example, which sought to tie one of the main characters to be the mythical “prince that was promised” who would wield a flaming sword, vanquish the White Walkers, and end the Long Night. The TV show never fulfilled that prophecy, but spin-offs still could.

Several Game of Thrones spin-offs are in development, set in different time periods and locations in George R.R. Martin’s world. House of the Dragon is ongoing, has already tied itself directly to Game of Thrones, and could still answer more theories. Aegon’s Conquest, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and 10,000 Ships could answer questions about Westeros pre-dating Game of Thrones. The Jon Snow spin-off could excitedly resolve unanswered Game of Thrones theories. Lastly, The Golden Empire and Nine Voyages could answer questions about the broader world. See every planned spin-off below:

10
Hodor Ancestry

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight

Hodor’s ancestry may not have been a pressing question for Game of Thrones TV viewers, but he was one of the show’s most beloved characters, particularly after his death in season 6. The question of Hodor’s ancestry has been raised among book readers, as George R.R. Martin’s planned A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms novellas are set to take Dunk and Egg up North to Winterfell. On that trip, evidence points to Ser Duncan the Tall having a fling with Old Nan, which would make them Hodor’s great-grandparents.

Game of Thrones fans will remember Old Nan as the woman in season 1 who scares Bran with tales of the Long Night. In the books, Bran has a greenseeing vision of Old Nan, as a young woman, with a tall knight. She’s already confirmed to be Hodor’s great-grandmother, and Ser Duncan the Tall is known to have living descendants still in Westeros at the time of Game of Thrones. Since it’s unclear when George R.R. Martin’s novellas will come out, the TV show may beat him to making this reveal.

9
Melisandre’s Age

Aegon’s Conquest

The reveal of Melisandre’s age in Game of Thrones was a shocking change from the books, leading to theories about her making cameo appearances in various prequels. Her exact age is unknown, but showrunner David Benioff explained that she’s “several centuries old.” Given how House of the Dragon has introduced the idea of Aegon the Conqueror’s Long Night prophecy, it could make sense to tie this to Melisandre. She’s primarily motivated in Game of Thrones to find Azor Ahai, believing it to be Stannis, and being told directly of Aegon’s prophecy could establish her character’s reasoning.

8
The Spiral Symbols

Untitled Jon Snow Spin-off

One of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries in Game of Thrones was the spiral symbols created by the White Walkers. The first was introduced in the season 1 prologue, and more were placed around the show. However, the Night King was defeated, the White Walkers perished, and the meaning of these symbols was never explained. The Jon Snow spin-off could continue exploring the White Walkers’ origins. Unsolved, the symbols create a sense of mysticism, but the overall lackluster execution of the White Walkers in Game of Thrones merits further explanation of their behavior.

7
The Prince That Was Promised

Untitled Jon Snow Spin-off

One of the most exciting Game of Thrones ideas to theorize about for years was that of the Azor Ahai prophecy. Azor Ahai, or “the prince that was promised,” was intended to be a legendary warrior who would defeat evil, wielding a flaming sword. Before the events of Game of Thrones, Rhaegar Targaryen believed himself to be Azor Ahai. Following his death, it could be any number of characters, and fans had found ways to tie nearly every Game of Thrones character to the prophecy.

Unfortunately, Game of Thrones season 8 and the Long Night came and went, and Azor Ahai ended up simply being no one. Much of Game of Thrones season 8’s storytelling was perpetuated by ideas of subverting expectations, resulting in numerous disappointments. With a Jon Snow sequel in the works, given that he was one of the primary Azor Ahai candidates, theories have reignited about his true mission to defeat the White Walkers being incomplete. Trying to retcon Game of Thrones might get messy, but it’s not too late for Jon to be tied to the prophecy.

6
The Three-Eyed Raven Could’ve Been A Targaryen

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight

An unconfirmed book theory that Game of Thrones never even bothered to explore was the origin of the Three-Eyed Raven. The book version’s identity is a mystery, but he’s been commonly tied to a character named Brynden Rivers, a Targaryen bastard exiled to the Night’s Watch who would become the Lord Commander. Eventually, he disappeared in a ranging north of the Wall. This character is alive during the events of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and his true fate could be explored in a later season of the TV series, assuming HBO stretches out the material.

5
The Land Of Always Winter

Untitled Jon Snow Spin-off

The land north of the Wall is some of the most unforgiving in Game of Thrones, but one area, in particular, is uninhabitable even by wildlings. The northernmost part of Westeros is known as the Land of Always Winter, a self-explanatory location inhabited only by the White Walkers as they cultivated strength. In the first book, Bran has a vision of what’s beyond the Wall, looking deep into what he refers to as the “heart of winter.” Now that the White Walkers are gone, it’d be fascinating to see what’s up there, potentially answering questions about their origins.

4
Do People In Yi Ti Know About Westeros?

Nine Voyages

The nation of Yi Ti is never mentioned or explored in Game of Thrones, as it’s further east in Essos than characters in the show ever venture. The Golden Empire show would offer an animated exploration of the location, which is loosely based on Imperial China. However, it’s Nine Voyages, which would follow the travels of Corlys Velaryon, that could tie the location directly to Westeros and Game of Thrones. Given the distance, it’d be intriguing to find out what they know of the western world, particularly of dragons or White Walkers.

3
Can Every Stark Child Warg?

Untitled Jon Snow Spin-off

In George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire novels, Bran isn’t the only Stark sibling who can warg. In fact, all the Starks have the ability to warg, whether or not they realize it. In the Jon Snow sequel, it’d make for a captivating development of his character to establish him as a warg, especially since it’s more common among wildlings. If Arya or Sansa appear, their warging abilities could also be explored.

2
How Greyscale Started

10,000 Ships

Greyscale is a fictional disease that plays a significant role in Game of Thrones. Jorah Mormont notably acquires it in season 5, and Shireen Baratheon bears it throughout the series. Oddly enough, its origins occur in the story of 10,000 Ships​​​​​​. The first known instance of the disease resulted from Prince Garin the Great, who, after being captured in battle, cursed his enemies, calling down a thick fog that gave his foes greyscale. However, the book A World of Ice & Fire specifies this to be mainly a myth, so the actual origins of the disease could be explored scientifically.

1
Maesters Killed The Dragons

House Of The Dragon

The role of the maesters was called into question several times in House of the Dragon season 1, as many audiences believed them to be discreetly poisoning King Viserys. Another House of the Dragon maester theory suggests that they’re partially responsible for killing off the remaining dragons in Westeros. Of course, the upcoming Targaryen civil war will do plenty of their work for them, but the motivation is believed to be that the maesters want to establish a scientific, logical power in Westeros, which is undermined by mythical beasts.

The maesters in Game of Thrones, with exceptions like Luwin and Aemon, have been commonly self-serving characters. In a world without dragon power, the Maesters have vastly more influence over the ruling monarchs. Plus, their historical conflicts with House Targaryen would motivate them to pull strings and turn Targaryens against each other. This would be a fantastic theory to see play out in House of the Dragon, adding depth to the civil war and to the maesters.