If you're waiting for Kit Harington to put on that heavy black cloak or for Emilia Clarke to suddenly reappear on a dragon, I've got some tough news. The original series is done. It's been done since 2019. But when we talk about when is game of thrones coming back, we're really talking about the "Thrones Universe" that HBO is desperately trying to keep alive.
The short answer? Sunday, January 18, 2026.
That is the date everything changes. We aren't just getting one show; we are entering an era where Westeros basically lives on your TV year-round. HBO has pivot-stepped away from the massive, world-ending stakes of the Night King and is leaning into something a bit more... human.
The January 18 Return: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Honestly, the most exciting part about the franchise’s return isn't a massive war. It’s a guy named Dunk and a kid named Egg.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the next big chapter, and it premieres in just a few days on January 18, 2026. This isn't your typical "thousand dragons and a million dead people" kind of show. It’s based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. Think of it as a road trip movie, but with swords and better hair.
The first season is called The Hedge Knight. It’s only six episodes. Each one is about 30 minutes long. That’s a huge departure from the hour-long slogs we’re used to. It follows Ser Duncan the Tall (played by Peter Claffey) and his squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).
If you're wondering when is game of thrones coming back in its most literal sense, this is it. It takes place about 90 years before the main show. You’ll see Targaryens, but they aren't the heroes yet—they’re mostly just the people in charge who are kinda making a mess of things.
Why this show is actually a big deal
Most people are skeptical because there are no dragons. I get it. Dragons are cool. But this show is being handled by Ira Parker, who wrote some of the best bits of House of the Dragon.
Even better? George R.R. Martin is actually involved. Like, really involved. He’s been sharing outlines for up to 12 more novellas with the showrunners. He hasn't even written these books yet (shocker, I know), but he’s already mapped out the lives of these two characters from start to finish. HBO is so confident that they’ve already renewed it for Season 2, which we should see in 2027.
House of the Dragon Season 3: The Summer of Fire
If the "small-scale" stuff doesn't do it for you, you only have to wait a few more months.
HBO head Casey Bloys basically confirmed that House of the Dragon Season 3 is coming back in Summer 2026. June seems to be the target. They just wrapped filming in October 2025, and they’re deep in post-production right now.
You've probably heard the rumors about the Battle of the Gullet. It’s supposed to be the biggest sea battle ever filmed for TV. Season 2 felt a little bit like a lot of talking in dark rooms, but Season 3 is where the "Dance of the Dragons" actually gets bloody.
Here is what the schedule looks like for the next few years:
- January 2026: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1
- June 2026: House of the Dragon Season 3
- Early 2027: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 (likely focusing on The Sworn Sword)
- Summer 2028: House of the Dragon Season 4 (the series finale)
It’s a lot. But for fans who felt the void after 2019, it’s finally a consistent pipeline.
What about the other spinoffs?
This is where things get a little murky. You might have heard about the Jon Snow sequel. Kit Harington himself said that one is on ice because they couldn't find a story worth telling. Honestly? That’s probably for the best. We don't need a show about him moping around the True North for ten hours.
But there are other things in the works:
- Aegon’s Conquest: This is the big one. It’s about the first Targaryen king who took over Westeros. Mattson Tomlin is writing it, and it's supposedly "back to basics"—meaning lots of fire and very little diplomacy.
- Ten Thousand Ships: This one was dead, then it was alive again. It follows Princess Nymeria. Think 1,000 ships sailing across the sea to find a new home. It’s very Odyssey-esque.
- The Sea Snake: A prequel about Corlys Velaryon’s voyages. This was recently changed from live-action to animation because, frankly, filming on the ocean is expensive and difficult.
The Winds of Winter: The Elephant in the Room
We can't talk about when is game of thrones coming back without mentioning the books. George R.R. Martin is 77 now. He’s been working on The Winds of Winter since 2011.
Is it coming out in 2026? Probably not.
He’s said he won’t write any more Dunk and Egg stories until the main book is done. But since he’s giving those outlines to HBO, it feels like he’s accepted that the screen might be where his stories actually finish. It's a bittersweet reality for book readers, but at least we're getting the lore one way or another.
Actionable Steps for the Return of Westeros
If you’re planning to jump back in this January, here is how to prepare:
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- Watch the trailers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. It’s a very different vibe—brighter, more "knights and chivalry" and less "incest and shadows."
- Check your Max subscription. HBO is shifting things around, and with the Germany launch and various mergers, make sure you actually have access before the premiere on the 18th.
- Read the novellas. If you haven't read The Hedge Knight, do it. It’s short. You can finish it in an afternoon, and it’ll make the show so much richer.
- Manage expectations for House of the Dragon. Season 3 is going to be the penultimate season. Don't expect every single plot thread to wrap up this summer.
The world of Ice and Fire is officially a year-round franchise now. Whether that's a good thing depends on how much you still care about the Iron Throne. But for now, mark your calendar for January 18. Dunk and Egg are finally here.