George R. R. Martin Stands Impressed by 'Game of Thrones: The Mad King,' Announces Special Surprise for UK Fans

Published 09/04/2026, 12:49 AM CDT

via Imago

George R. R. Martin, who was thrilled to watch Game of Thrones: The Mad King come to life, had a surprise for UK fans. Over the last decade, his Game of Thrones universe has expanded beyond the original HBO series, which premiered in 2011, with several spinoffs. Now, it has made its way to the stage as well, with a talented cast bringing the larger-than-life history of Westeros to life.

So, it was not surprising that the author was in attendance to watch the play. It is the first-ever stage adaptation of Martin’s work. Now, the play could be headed for a tour, as Martin hinted in a new post praising the production.

George R. R. Martin had high praise for The Mad King and an announcement

George R. R. Martin recently shared a new blog post detailing his experience watching Game of Thrones: The Mad King. He heaped praise on the production and the overall execution. Moreover, he revealed that the play will soon head to London, giving UK fans a chance to experience it.

“I had a splendid time in Stratford-upon-Avon for the premiere of Duncan MacMillan and Dominic Cooke's epic new stage production of Game of Thrones: The Mad King. And furthermore, I'm thrilled to announce the production will be moving on to London to share the experience with a wider audience,” he wrote.

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Now, the move to London, as announced, was expected by many and seemed even more likely following the play’s success. Inspired by Martin’s beloved franchise, The Mad King follows the final years before the events of the novels. Written by Duncan Macmillan, the play is directed by Dominic Cooke.

Michael Shaeffer plays King Aerys II, while Noah Ritter portrays Prince Rhaegar Targaryen. Callum Woodhouse, Michael Abubakar, Harmony Rose-Bremner, and Mariah Gale are also part of the cast. The play debuted this summer at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

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As the prequel play moves to London to enchant a new audience, many Game of Thrones fans are still waiting for the conclusion of Martin’s original novel series.

Fans are frustrated over the delay in the next novel

While Game of Thrones concluded after eight seasons, George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is far from over. The author has revealed that two more novels remain to be written. The last book, A Dance with Dragons, was released in 2011, the same year Game of Thrones premiered.

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The next book, The Winds of Winter, is highly anticipated, but there has been no major update on its release. More than a decade has passed since the last novel arrived, leaving fans frustrated as they wait for Martin’s version of the story’s ending. Until then, perhaps fans can revisit the Game of Thrones series, its various spinoffs, or the prequel play. 

‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’: Where to Watch and Everything You Need to Know

What do you think about Game of Thrones: The Mad King? Let us know in the comments.

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Pritha Debroy

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Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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