A Fifth 'Game Of Thrones' Spinoff Is Coming Because Four Aren't Enough

When it comes to spinoff shows, “Game of Thrones” doesn’t want to be spokes on a wheel. It wants to break the wheel!  

Series author George R.R. Martin cleared up news about the development of HBO’s four “Game of Thrones” spinoffs on his Not A Blog Sunday, revealing that a fifth show is now in the works with a secret writer. Surprise!

We had four scripts in development when I arrived in LA last week, but by the time I left we had five. We have added a fifth writer to the original four. No, I will not reveal the name here. HBO announced the names of the first four, and will no doubt announce the fifth as well, once his deal has closed. He’s a really terrific addition, however, a great guy and a fine writer, and aside from me and maybe Elio and Linda, I don’t know anyone who knows and loves Westeros as well as he does.

If there are five spinoffs on the way, HBO might be in need of some of that Lannister gold to pay for them. But Martin himself thinks it’s unlikely that five new shows will be making it on-air.

For now, the author wants us to know that there is an order for five pilot scripts and he is working with all the writers, not just two as previously reported.

Also, the spinoffs aren’t going to be spinoffs like we usually think of them. They’re all going to be prequels from stories we likely haven’t heard before:

So all of you who were hoping for the further adventures of Hot Pie are doomed to disappointment. Every one of the concepts under discussion is a prequel, rather than a sequel. Some may not even be set on Westeros. Rather than ‘spinoff’ or ‘prequel,’ however, I prefer the term ‘successor show.’ That’s what I’ve been calling them.

But there won’t be any Robert’s Rebellion or Dunk and Egg prequels as of now. Sorry, everyone.

And for those who are wondering, Martin reiterated that he’s still working on his next book in the “Song of Ice and Fire” series, The Winds of Winter. But, oh sweet summer child, you probably shouldn’t expect it to come anytime soon.

At least we have the possibility of five new “Game of Thrones” shows on the way.

Open that wine, Tyrion. It’s time to turn up.