Game Of Thrones Season 9 Chances Have Taken A Huge Blow After Major Daenerys Update

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Despite some rumors, a ninth season of Game of Thrones seems unlikely. Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen, has indicated she’s moved on from the fantasy genre. Game of Thrones was a hugely popular HBO series that originally aired from 2011 to 2019.

The many new shows connected to Game of Thrones show that the world created by George R. R. Martin still has a huge and dedicated fanbase eager for more content. But even with all the demand, it’s looking less and less likely that Game of Thrones itself will be revived with new seasons.

Ever since the controversial ending of Game of Thrones and the generally negative reaction to its final season, many people have hoped for an eighth season. However, several key actors have stated they aren’t interested in returning to their roles, including the show’s biggest star.

Emilia Clarke Is Not Interested In Doing Fantasy Again

Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow, firmly stated in December 2025 to Variety that he wasn’t interested in revisiting the role, even ruling out a potential sequel. Emilia Clarke, known for playing Daenerys Targaryen, echoed this sentiment in January 2026, telling The New York Times she wasn’t looking to do any more fantasy projects, while promoting her show Ponies on Peacock.

Clarke doesn’t think fans will ever see her riding a dragon again, a nod to her famous role as the destined leader in Westeros. For much of the show, her character was a strong, though sometimes ruthless, hero who offered hope for a more honest approach to the often-treacherous politics of Westeros.

The controversial ending of Game of Thrones stemmed partly from the realization that Daenerys Targaryen wasn’t fundamentally different from the tyrannical rulers she aimed to overthrow. Her increasingly erratic behavior ultimately led to her being killed by someone who once supported her, a turn of events many fans felt didn’t align with her character’s development.

Kit Harrington Previously Said He Won’t Play Jon Snow Again

No matter how people felt about the controversial way her story ended, Clarke’s character is almost guaranteed to be involved in any future sequel series. Whether she returned as a living character or through memories, she was central to the original show and would likely be important to any continuation.

As a huge fan, it was really disappointing to hear Emilia Clarke essentially rule out ever revisiting Daenerys Targaryen. It felt a lot like Kit Harington had done when he firmly said he was done playing Jon Snow. Honestly, it stung even more because Jon Snow did survive the series, so it always seemed more plausible he could return. Daenerys’ fate felt much more final, making Clarke’s statement a bigger blow to what fans were hoping for.

Look, I’ve been hearing whispers about a potential continuation of this series, but let me tell you, the stars themselves don’t seem interested. Their reactions were pretty telling – it’s clear the negative response to the finale really soured them on the whole thing, just like a lot of us fans. Honestly, I think the chances of seeing them back together for a sequel are practically zero at this point.

Will HBO Ever Make A Game Of Thrones Sequel?

Let’s be real, I never held my breath for another direct Game of Thrones sequel. That show was insanely expensive to make back in the day, and HBO seems much more interested in expanding the world with prequels like House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. They’re building on the story, just not continuing it directly after the original ending.

With the prequel and spinoff series proving popular, there’s little reason for the cable network to revisit the original show, especially after its controversial ending. Plus, the original cast members are all committed to other projects: Carke is working on Ponies, Harington on Industry, and Peter Dinklage on Dexter: Resurrection, and these commitments extend through 2026.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Proves HBO Can Do Just Fine With Prequels

Sophie Turner’s new thriller, Trust, has quickly become a streaming hit. The rest of the cast are also well-known, having appeared in many popular movies and TV shows. Meanwhile, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are continuing to build out the fantasy world fans love.

Instead of revisiting old stories, these new shows introduce fresh characters, locations, and viewpoints within the established fantasy world. The positive reception of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms demonstrates that exploring new avenues is more successful than simply continuing the original narrative and potentially reigniting fan conflicts.

Reviving Game of Thrones with a sequel series feels like a desperate move and a sign of unoriginal thinking, especially considering the rich world George R.R. Martin has created. There are countless other stories within that universe that could be explored without needing to bring back Emilia Clarke if she isn’t enthusiastic about returning.

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2026-01-14 22:09