The Game of Thrones universe is expanding to the stage with the upcoming play Game of Thrones: The Mad King, set to premiere on July 20, 2026, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Performances will run through September 5, 2026.
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Written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the production chronicles the final years of King Aerys II Targaryen, infamously known as the “Mad King,” whose downfall triggered 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.
The play will feature characters from the iconic houses of Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, and Martell. In a unique staging choice, the production will take place on a cross-shaped platform, immersing audiences directly “in the heart of the action.”
Tickets go on sale April 22, 2026, with early access for supporters starting April 14. To manage high demand, sales are limited to four tickets per person.
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George R.R. Martin expressed excitement about the adaptation, stating, “Theater offers something unique—a place for mine and the audience’s imagination to meet and hopefully create something magical.”
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The original Game of Thrones series aired from 2011 to 2019, winning 59 Emmy Awards and inspiring multiple spin-offs, including House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The Mad King promises to give fans a fresh, live-theater experience in the world of Westeros.