The Game of Thrones universe is expanding once again, but this time onto the stage.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that Game of Thrones: The Mad King will premiere on July 20, 2026, with performances running through September 5 at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
The play is written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke.
It chronicles the final years of King Aerys II Targaryen, the infamous “Mad King”, whose downfall sparked Robert’s Rebellion and set the stage for the events of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.
Actor David Rintoul will portray the doomed monarch.
Furthermore, there will be characters from the houses of Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, and Martell.
In a bold move, the production will be staged on a cross-shaped platform, placing audiences “in the heart of the action,” according to the company’s announcement.
Tickets go on sale April 22, with early access for supporters of the organization beginning April 14.
Demand is expected to be high, with sales limited to four tickets per person.
George R.R. Martin welcomed the adaptation with enthusiasm.
He shared, “When I first wrote Game of Thrones, I never imagined that it would be anything other than a book… For my work to now be adapted for the stage is something I did not expect but welcome with great enthusiasm and excitement. Theater offers something unique. A place for mine and the audience’s imagination to meet and hopefully create something magical.”
The original HBO series ran from 2011 to 2019.
It won 59 Emmys and spawned multiple spin-offs including House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Now, with The Mad King, the saga ventures into live theater, promising fans a new way to experience Westeros.
