House Of The Dragon's The Prince That Was Promised Reveal Makes Me Feel Better About Jon Snow's Sequel Cancelation

House of the Dragon season 2 included a tease of the Prince That Was Promised, and in doing so made the cancelation of Game of Thrones' Jon Snow spinoff seem better. House of the Dragon season 2's ending had its biggest connection yet to Game of Thrones, with the appearance of Daenerys Targaryen, a White Walker, and the Three-Eyed Raven as part of a weirwood tree-influenced sequence.

Daemon Targaryen's vision of Daenerys et al was important for the prequel's own story, but also for the wider franchise. With her appearance in the sequence preceded by a red comet, as well as being linked to the battle against the White Walkers, then it suggested Daenerys was the Prince That Was Promised all along in Game of Thrones (if not the A Song of Ice and Fire books, which is TBC). Of course, Thrones itself didn't do a huge amount with that in the end, but it does at least make me happier that the Jon Snow sequel won't happen.

Jon Snow Seemingly Not Being The Prince That Was Promised Is Better After His Sequel Cancelation

I'm Glad His Story Won't Continue After Game Of Thrones' Ending

Image via Max

Initially, I'd thought House of the Dragon had been set to add more to Jon Snow's story and the idea he was the Prince That Was Promised. Certainly, the reveal of Aegon the Conqueror's song of ice and fire dream, which itself was connected to the Prince That Was Promised, could have been taken as being about Jon, since he was the one to unite the realm against the White Walkers.

That, in turn, would have made Jon's Targaryen parentage more important, since Game of Thrones season 8 didn't dive too deeply into what it really meant for him (and was more about what it meant to Daenerys). Reckoning with all of this in some way - Jon dealing more with actually being half-Targaryen, and more openly talking about how he feels regarding it - could have been one of the bigger advantages of Jon Snow's spinoff.

However, by suggesting that Jon isn't the Prince That Was Promised, House of the Dragon doubles-down on the idea that him being a Targaryen ultimately didn't matter.

However, by suggesting that Jon isn't the Prince That Was Promised, House of the Dragon doubles-down on the idea that him being a Targaryen ultimately didn't matter. And if that's not something that's going to be on the table for his spinoff show, or at least an idea that we're being told isn't as important elsewhere in canon - then I'm happier it won't happen, given the lack of obvious story options for the show after Game of Thrones' ending.

Related Game Of Thrones: Everyone Who Knew Jon Snow Was A Targaryen Before Him Jon Snow learning he was a Targaryen became a key point in his character arc, but he was one of the last to learn who his real parents were.

Jon not being the Prince That Was Promised also makes his Game of Thrones fate better. I think there's something a little more powerful in him not being the prophesied savior but just a decent person who always tried to do the right thing, and an added tragedy in him having to kill Daenerys if she truly was said hero.

Jon Snow's spinoff was first reported as being indevelopment in June 2022, and it was revealed two years later it was no longer moving forward.

I wish the show had done a lot more with the prophecy, but I like the idea of the bittersweetness in the prophecy and how chasing destiny led to Dany's downfall. With House of the Dragon adding to that, then I prefer Jon's ending left as-is, not meddled with in a spinoff.

It's For The Best Game Of Thrones' Jon Snow Spinoff Isn't Happening

Harington Himself Revealed They Couldn't Find The Right Story

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Ever since it was first announced, I'd been caught in two minds about Jon Snow's spinoff. On the one hand, the idea of continuing Game of Thrones so directly, with Kit Harington returning, is a tantalizing prospect, bringing back something millions of people had loved and obsessed over (myself very much included). And in terms of character, there could be some potential in exploring his trauma and the weight of having to kill Daenerys.

Upcoming Game of Thrones Spinoffs Title Description Status A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms An adaptation of George R.R. Martin's The Tales of Dunk & Egg novellas Season 1 releasing in 2025 on HBO and Max House of the Dragon Ongoing Game of Thrones prequel, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war, the Dance of the Dragons Season 3 expected in 2026; season 4 will be the last Aegon's Conquest The story of King Aegon I Targaryen and the conquest of Westeros with his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya In-development 10,000 Ships A spinoff about Princess Nymeria, who led her people the Rhoynar to Dorne after a war with the Valyrian Freehold In-development Nine Voyages An animated show about Corlys Velaryon's Great Voyages, where he sailed around the Known World In-development The Golden Empire (unofficial) An animated show set in empire of Yi Ti, which is in the far East of Essos In-development TBC Another live-action Game of Thrones spinoff In-development TBC Another animated Game of Thrones spinoff In-development

On the flip side, I think Jon Snow's Game of Thrones ending was close to perfect, bringing his story full circle and further adding to the bittersweet feeling, giving him a relatively happy and peaceful ending that he deserved, but colored by tragedy. Since Jon's Game of Thrones spinoff isn't happening because Harington and the writers couldn't find a story worth telling, then I think it's for the best things aren't going ahead, and House of the Dragon season 2 just adds to that belief.