George R. R. Martin’s Ned Stark ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel Officially Arrives in 2027

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Sean Bean as Ned Stark standing in a green field and holding a sword in Game of Thrones.

Published Nov 11, 2026, 7:30 PM EST

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It's been seven years since Game of Thrones ended, but Westeros has hardly been sitting around waiting for winter to arrive. Between House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, George R. R. Martin's fantasy universe has continued exploring the generations of bloodshed, betrayal, and bad family decisions that eventually led to the original series, but there's one particularly important chapter of Westerosi history that fans have spent years hearing about without actually getting to witness. Until now.

Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a stage prequel featuring a young Ned Stark, is officially heading to London in 2027 following a sold-out world-premiere run at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. Adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the play takes place roughly two decades before the events of the original Game of Thrones television series.

Its story centers on the legendary tournament at Harrenhal, where the actions of Rhaegar Targaryen, Robert Baratheon, Lyanna Stark, and the famously unstable behavior of King Aerys II Targaryen threaten to plunge the Seven Kingdoms into chaos. The second half of the play focuses on Robert's Rebellion as he attempts to rescue Lyanna and overthrow the Targaryen dynasty.

Who's Involved in 'Game of Thrones: The Mad King'?

Macmillan is best known for his work on projects like People, Places and Things, Every Brilliant Thing, and 1984, and it's he who adapted Martin's world for the stage, while Cooke brings experience from productions including Follies, The Crucible, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The show also features incredible puppetry by Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, whose other work includes the award-winning stage adaptation of Life of Pi.

The Stratford-upon-Avon cast featured Michael Shaeffer (The Salisbury Poisonings) as King Aerys II Targaryen, Noah Ritter as Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Callum Woodhouse (All Creatures Great and Small) as Robert Baratheon, Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark, Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, Luke Brady (The Last Kingdom) as Brandon Stark, Maxim Ays as Jaime Lannister, Marty Breen as Catelyn Stark, Marcello Walton as Ser Jonothor Darry and Tywin Lannister, Alexander Newland as Rickard Stark, and Elizabeth Ayodele as Elia Martell.

Game of Thrones: The Mad King arrives in London's West End in 2027. The venue, performance dates, ticket details, and London cast have not yet been announced. Stay tuned to Collider for all the latest news and updates on the biggest and best movies and shows heading to your favorite streaming platforms soon.