Summary

• Jon Snow spinoff still in development, but Harington's return to HBO bodes well for its chances.
• Harington will appear in Industry season 3 later in 2024, which is a sign of his strong relationship with HBO.
• HBO is taking its time developing Game of Thrones spinoffs but, while its cautious approach is understandable, hopes remain high that the Jon Snow sequel will happen.

Game of Thrones' Jon Snow show hasn't yet been green lit, but a 2024 HBO TV show bodes well for its chances. HBO has major expansion plans for the world of Westeros, with multiple Game of Thrones spinoffs in development. However, only two are officially confirmed: House of the Dragon, which will return for season 2 in June 2024, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, which is expected to debut in 2025.

Perhaps the most surprising potential show, though, is a Game of Thrones spinoff about Jon Snow, with Kit Harington set to return if it is indeed ordered to series. Game of Thrones' ending didn't clearly set up more stories for the former King in the North, as his returning beyond the Wall seemed a real conclusion, but Harington and HBO have been developing the Jon-centric series for a couple of years. Although there's no confirmation yet, another of the actor's TV shows could help.

Kit Harington In Industry Season 3 Is Good For Jon Snow's Spinoff

The Actor's HBO Return Increases The Game Of Thrones Sequel's Chances.

The Jon Snow spinoff may not have been ordered yet, but Harington is making his return in a 2024 HBO TV show. The actor has signed on for Industry season 3, joining the HBO/BBC series that follows a group of young bankers trying to make it in the high-pressured high finance world. Harington will play Henry Muck, the CEO of a green energy tech company called Lumi that comes to the forefront in the coming season.

That Harington is working with HBO again does not guarantee anything, of course, but it would make it more surprising if the spinoff wasn't picked up.

The story is a world away from Game of Thrones, but Harington's return to HBO is good news for his spinoff. It's yet another sign of his continued strong relationship with the cable outfit after almost a decade on one of its biggest ever shows, which is also evidenced by the actor being the one to take the Jon Snow sequel idea to the network. That Harington is working with HBO again does not guarantee anything, of course, but it would make it more surprising if the spinoff wasn't picked up.

Kit Harington's other major credits since Game of Thrones ended include Eternals, Extrapolations, and Lot No. 249.

Industry has received pretty good reviews so far, with 86% on Rotten Tomatoes (for comparison, Game of Thrones has 89%), but it's a far cry from the Westeros show in terms of ratings. While that was in the tens of millions, with Game of Thrones season 8 averaging around 46 million viewers overall [per Variety], Industry season 2 averaged just under 100k [via TV Series Finale]. Harington's presence should give the show a boost of star power, though, that could help it. HBO obviously sees Harington as a valuable person to work with, which is good for Jon Snow's spinoff.

Why Game Of Thrones' Jon Snow Sequel Hasn't Been Green Lit Yet

HBO Is Taking Its Time With The Spinoff.

The Jon Snow sequel was first reported to be in development back in 2022 but, two years on, it still hasn't been ordered to series. In May 2023, HBO Drama Chief Francesca Orsi gave a cautious update on the Jon Snow spinoff, saying its future hadn't yet been determined either way:

"We’re just working deeply with the writers to get it in shape for potential greenlight, but at this point, no, no determination on whether it can go all the way."

In November 2023, HBO Programming President Casey Bloys gave his own update on Game of Thrones spinoffs. While he didn't specifically address the Jon Snow sequel by name, it is among the shows in development that he was discussing when he said:

"We always have Game of Thrones scripts in development. We greenlit Dunk and Egg in the spring. I wouldn’t say there is anything else in that world that is close to a green light or anything, but we are always working on different scripts and ideas."

HBO is being very careful with its Game of Thrones franchise. Since the show ended in 2019, House of the Dragon is the only spinoff to have made it to the screen so far. The network is right to take a slow approach: a reported $30 million was spent on Bloodmoon's pilot, only for the Game of Thrones prequel (about The Long Night) to be scrapped. That's not something they'd want to happen again, so it makes sense that, while many projects are being considered, nothing is being rushed and no show is guaranteed.

That arguably goes double for the Jon Snow show, since it's the one spinoff that is directly connected to - and a continuation of - Game of Thrones. HBO already faced backlash for season 8, and so building on that while risking the legacy of the show as a whole with what would be a sequel of sorts (since Jon was the main character) needs a lot of consideration. There's still a good chance it will happen, given it'd likely be a major hit and Harington is keen on it, but the patience is understandable.

What Will The Jon Snow Sequel Actually Be About?

How Will The Spinoff Follow Game Of Thrones Season 8?

Apart from whether it happens, there's another major question mark over Jon Snow's spinoff: what, exactly, will it be about? Jon Snow went beyond the Wall in Game of Thrones' series finale, reuniting with the Wildlings and leaving his family behind. It was a conclusion that suggested a somewhat peaceful future for Jon, with the White Walkers defeated and his time fighting seemingly at an end. That was fitting, but peace doesn't necessarily make for great TV drama.

Jon Snow's sequel could see him returning to Westeros proper, with some event that pulls him back in. The issue with that, though, besides making the show even more like Game of Thrones season 9, is it would require so many other returning actors, and make this much more than just a Jon Snow spinoff. That it's billed as such does imply it will be primarily staying beyond the Wall, but given Jon's good relationship with the Wildlings and the biggest threat being removed, it's unclear what that would entail.

The series may also be a little more introspective, dealing with his lingering trauma, scars both figurative and literal, and guilt over killing Daenerys Targaryen and, for the most part, escaping true punishment.

It's possible a new villain could emerge, as the far North is filled with mystery. Or, perhaps, there could be a rival Wildling clan or leader who challenges Jon, wanting a change to their way of life. The series may also be a little more introspective, dealing with his lingering trauma, scars both figurative and literal, and guilt over killing Daenerys Targaryen and, for the most part, escaping true punishment. There is potential there, but it all depends on HBO giving Game of Thrones' Jon Snow show the green light.