‘Game of Thrones’ new show: 10 forgotten characters for spin-offs

With HBO confirming that House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are the only live-action Game of Thrones new show projects on deck, fans are scanning the original series for underused characters who could carry their own stories. The lighter tone of the Dunk and Egg series has shown appetite for smaller-stakes tales, so the spotlight falls on survivors and side players whose backstories remain wide open.

Podrick Payne's early years

Podrick spent most of his screen time as Tyrion’s quiet shadow, yet his book backstory shows an orphan raised by an abusive uncle and later apprenticed to hedge knights. A prequel could follow his first road journeys before he lands in King’s Landing, matching the episodic format already working for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Daniel Portman’s performance gave Podrick unexpected comic beats that fans still quote, and those same notes of earnest loyalty could anchor a gentler series. Viewers already know he survives the wars, so the tension would come from how he earns his place rather than whether he makes it out alive.

Recent social chatter around the Dunk and Egg premiere often pairs Podrick with the hedge-knight vibe, suggesting the audience is ready for more travelogue storytelling set in the same period.

Hot Pie after the wars

Hot Pie exits the main story running the crossroads inn, a perfect endpoint for a slice-of-life series that tracks the travelers who pass through. Instead of throne-room intrigue, episodes could hinge on pie recipes, local gossip, and the occasional cameo from bigger names still cleaning up their messes.

Ben Hawkey’s cheerful delivery made Hot Pie a fan favorite despite limited screen time, and that same warmth would suit a low-stakes format. The character’s survival instinct also offers built-in commentary on how regular people weather regime changes.

Collider’s recurring “characters who deserve spin-offs” lists frequently name Hot Pie, proving the idea has staying power even years after the finale.

Tormund beyond the Wall

Tormund’s larger-than-life presence and unrequited crush on Brienne have fueled fan casting of a romantic comedy set at Castle Black. Kristofer Hivju has publicly said he’s game, which adds industry momentum to the pitch.

Free Folk culture remains underexplored on screen, and a series built around Tormund could dig into hunting routes, clan rivalries, and the uneasy peace after the Long Night without revisiting big battles.

North-of-the-Wall footage always trends on social media, so a Wildling-led story would tap existing visual appetite while staying clear of the political quagmires already claimed by House of the Dragon.

Grey Worm on Naath

Grey Worm’s final voyage to Naath leaves his future wide open after Missandei’s death. A limited series could track his attempt to integrate Unsullied soldiers into island life, shifting from conquest to uneasy diplomacy.

Jacob Anderson’s restrained performance would carry the weight of a quieter narrative focused on grief and reinvention. The setting also expands the map past Westeros, echoing the “west of Westeros” curiosity that still circulates among viewers.

Winter Is Coming forums keep Grey Worm on their wish lists, indicating sustained interest in Essos stories that do not circle back to the Iron Throne.

Xaro Xhoan Daxos in Qarth

Xaro’s betrayal of Daenerys in season two left his merchant empire intact, yet the show never returned to Qarth. A series centered on the Thirteen’s power plays would offer exotic visuals and political scheming without retreading Targaryen civil wars.

Nonso Anozie’s suave turn gave Xaro instant charisma that could anchor a crime-caper tone. Qarth’s wealth and customs remain memorable set pieces that could be mined for world-building detail.

Collider lists often cite Xaro when fans request Essos adventures, showing the character’s unresolved arc still registers with audiences.

Ygritte's rise among the Free Folk

Ygritte’s death cut short a warrior’s arc that paralleled the independence many viewers admire. A prequel could explore her early raids and the clan politics that shaped her distrust of southerners.

Rose Leslie’s chemistry with Jon Snow made the character iconic, but her solo story offers room to examine Wildling survival tactics without relying on romance plots.

Lists of “characters who deserve spin-offs” consistently include Ygritte, proving her cultural footprint extends beyond her relationship with Jon.

Daario Naharis after Meereen

Daario was left governing Meereen when Daenerys sailed west, creating a natural jumping-off point for mercenary adventures across Slaver’s Bay. A series could follow his shifting alliances as cities renegotiate power without dragons overhead.

Michiel Huisman’s swagger gave Daario a roguish charm that suits a road-and-sword tone. The setting also lets the show address the economic fallout of Dany’s campaign from a sellsword’s perspective.

ScreenRant roundups frequently mention Daario when fans discuss unresolved Essos threads, keeping the character in circulation among theory communities.

Brienne's new Kingsguard

Brienne ends the original series as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, yet the show never explores how she rebuilds the order after years of war. A series could track her recruitment of new knights and the tension between honor codes and political reality.

Gwendoline Christie’s physicality and dry humor would anchor a workplace drama set inside a crumbling institution. Pairing her with Tormund cameos could deliver the lighter tone HBO now favors.

Actor interviews and fan wish lists keep the Brienne-Tormund team-up alive, suggesting the pairing has commercial legs beyond the original run.

Dolorous Edd at the Watch

Dolorous Edd’s bleak humor made him a memorable Night’s Watch brother who somehow survived every disaster. A limited series could follow his reluctant rise through the ranks after the Long Night, focusing on supply shortages and morale rather than epic battles.

The character’s pessimism offers built-in comic relief that still fits the darker edge of the franchise. His survival also lets writers examine how the Watch reinvents itself without the threat of White Walkers.

Cosmopolitan’s “minor characters” lists regularly name Edd, proving even small roles left lasting impressions on viewers.

Next steps for Westeros

HBO’s current slate leaves room for character-driven stories that do not require massive budgets or dragon effects. These ten figures already carry audience affection and open-ended futures, giving any new production a ready-made hook. If the success of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms holds, expect at least one of these supporting players to step into a larger frame before the decade ends.