Thanks to SFFGazette.com, we have a first look at Game of Thrones: The Mad King following its opening night in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The Iron Throne has been recreated and reimagined (the sword being held aloft at the top is a nice touch), while the Mad King—King Aerys—looks suitably, well, mad.
Many of these characters have never been seen on the page or screen, and the stage play—directed by Dominic Cooke—is set to run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 5 September, 2026. There's been talk of The Mad King heading to London, and if that's a hit, then it would likely find its way to Broadway, similar to Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
The play, adapted by Duncan Macmillan from George R. R. Martin's novels, is set years before the events of Game of Thrones. The story takes place during a jousting tournament in Harrenhal, exploring a pivotal moment in the lives of characters Ned Stark, his sister Lyanna, Jamie Lannister, and Robert Baratheon.
The Mad King will reveal more about Lyanna's budding romance with Rhaegar Targaryen, the son of Aerys, the titular Mad King, played by Michael Shaeffer. As you may recall, Rhaegar and Lyanna are Jon Snow's parents.
Here's the official description for Game of Thrones: The Mad King:
A long winter thaws in Harrenhal, and spring is promised. At a lavish banquet on the eve of a jousting tournament, lovers meet, and revellers speculate about who will contend. But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot. Far away, the drums of battle sound. Family bonds, ancient prophecies, and the sacred line of succession will be tested in a dangerous campaign for power. Who will survive? Who will rise?
Noah Ritter plays Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, with Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark and Callum Woodhouse as Lord Robert Baratheon.
The cast also includes Luke Brady as Brandon Stark, Alexander Newland as Lord Rickard Stark, Miles Barrow as Benjen Stark, Mariah Gale as Queen Rhaella Targaryen and Lady Shella Whent, and Marcello Walton as Ser Jonothor Darry and Lord Tywin Lannister.
Joining them are Maxim Ays as Ser Jaime Lannister, Daisy Franks as Cersei Lannister, Edem-Ita Duke as Oberyn Martell, Elizabeth Ayodele as Princess Elia Martell, Hughie O’Donnell as Lord Varys, Kel Matsena as Ser Arthur Dayne, Daniel Hawksford as Ser Barristan Selmy, Richard Hansell as Grand Maester Pycelle, Marty Breen as Catelyn Stark, Tanisha Spring as Ashara Dayne, and Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed.
Game of Thrones: The Mad King will also feature Adrian Christopher as Prince Lewyn Martell, Shaun Yusef McKee as Ser Gerold Hightower, Huw Parmenter as Ser Oswell Whent, Sebastian Charles as Owen Merryweather, Fred Davis as Qarlton Chelsted, and Tom Larkin as Lord Whent and Wisdom Rossart.
Ronan Cullen, Simi Egbejumi-David, Lewis Howard, April Nerissa Hudson, Chelsea Marie, Kate Rowsell, Tom Stacy, Matt Tait, and Tzarina-Nassor round out the sizeable ensemble.
You can take a first look at Game of Thrones: The Mad King in the Instagram gallery below.