HBO’s iconic fantasy epic The Game of Thrones has, over the years, grown from a series to a full-fledged franchise. The show has expanded beyond the original series – that aired from 2011 to 2019 – with multiple prequels and spin-offs in the works. While keeping track of all the series in the Game of Thrones franchise in order can be confusing, it is important to understand where each show falls in chronological relation to the others.
Fortunately, George R. R. Martin, the author of five out of a planned seven GoT volumes, has provided a unit of measurement for the passage of time in Westeros: Aegon’s Conquest – either Before the Conquest (BC) or After the Conquest (AC).
This allows for a clear understanding of the timeline and the duration of the Targaryen rule in every series. Despite the complexity, with the right information, everything fits together seamlessly.
On that note, here is an overview of all the Game of Thrones-related series and spin-offs that are currently airing or in development.
All ‘Game of Thrones’ series in order of their chronology
From House of the Dragon to the OG show, here’s breaking down the exact timeline of every Game of Thrones series:
700 BC – Ten Thousand Ships
2 BC to 1 AC – Aegon’s Conquest
77 AC to 90 AC – The Sea Snake/Nine Voyages
112 AC – House of the Dragon
209 AC – The Hedge Knight
298 AC – Game of Thrones
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Now, let’s delve deeper into the timeline.
1. Ten Thousand Ships
Chronological timeline: 700 years BC
Status: In production
The show Ten Thousand Ships is set in 700 years BC, making it the most distant in the timeline of all the Game of Thrones shows. It is currently in development as a prequel that takes place about 1,000 years before the events of the original series.
This prequel will focus on Princess Nymeria, an ancestor of House Martell who founded Dorne. Known for her prowess as a warrior, she was so influential that two characters in Game of Thrones were named after her. The title of the show refers to the number of ships that accompanied Nymeria on her journey from Essos to Dorne, which she later ordered to be burned to prevent any retreat.
Despite some uncertainty about the series’ status, George R.R. Martin has confirmed that the show is back on track. Amanda Segel has been working on the project and has already delivered drafts, while Eboni Booth, a recent Pulitzer Prize winner, is now writing the pilot. Martin expressed excitement about the project on his blog in June 2024, mentioning the challenges of bringing to life the vast world of Ten Thousand Ships.
“She’s an amazingly talented young playwright, and a joy to work with; when not writing and producing her prize-winning plays on- and off-Broadway, she has been kept busy by me and HBO, working on a new pilot for Ten Thousand Ships, a Game of Thrones spinoff about Nymeria and the Rhoynar,” Martin wrote on his blog, adding, “We’re all very excited about this one … though we’re still trying to figure out how we’re going to pay for 10,000 ships, 300 dragons, and those giant turtles.”
2. Aegon’s Conquest
Chronological timeline: 2 BC to 1 AC
Status: Pre-production
In February 2024 screenwriter Mattson Tomlin, known for his work on Terminator Zero and The Batman Part II, confirmed that he was attached to a prequel about the storied uniter of Westeros – Aegon’s Conquest.
Tomlin mentioned to EW that he is currently in the early stages of writing the script and collaborating closely with Martin. The series will draw inspiration from earlier passages in Fire & Blood, a fictional historical account of House Targaryen written by Martin. It will delve into Aegon’s journey to unite the Seven Kingdoms after arriving in Westeros with his dragons. Aegon’s vision of an impending Great War and the importance of dragon fire in defending against it will be key elements of the narrative.
This prequel aims to provide a deeper understanding of Aegon’s character and his pivotal role in shaping the future of Westeros.
3. The Sea Snake/Nine Voyages
Chronological timeline: Between 77 AC and 90 AC
Status: In production
In House of the Dragon, we encounter the individual known as the Sea Snake or Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), a seasoned and experienced veteran of numerous escapades. However, Fire & Blood, Martin’s fictional historical account of House Targaryen that delves further back than the show’s inception, is replete with intriguing anecdotes about the mariner’s fabled Nine Journeys.
The tales of his past exploits could serve as excellent source material for another series, and HBO was initially said to be working on a spinoff titled Nine Voyages in March 2021. Subsequently, the project was rebranded as The Sea Snake, as Martin explained in his blog that “we wanted to avoid having two shows with numbers in the title.” (The other numbered title is Ten Thousand Ships which is the first show in our list of Game of Thrones series in order of their chronological timeline.)
According to Martin, Nine Voyages is currently in production as an animated show as it details Corlys’ famous trips around the world. Though the exact dates of these voyages are unknown, Fire & Blood reveals that he began his famed voyages by 77 AC and completed them by 90 AC when he married, making this story about 30 years before the character appears in House of the Dragon.
However, the series may change the dates, especially if it includes his romance with his eventual wife, Rhaenys (Eve Best), who was only 16 when they married in 90 AC. It looks like Toussaint and Best are unlikely to reprise their role from House of the Dragon in this upcoming series.
4. House of the Dragon (2022-present)
“There is more than one way to fight a war.” #HOTD streams Sundays at 9pm on @StreamonMax. pic.twitter.com/ufgcC4HHPa
— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) June 21, 2024
Chronological timeline: 112 AC, 186 years before Game of Thrones
Status: Currently airing its season 2
House of the Dragon delves into the Targaryen dynasty at its peak, centuries before Game of Thrones, showcasing the lineage before the dragons’ demise in Robert’s Rebellion (the battles that led to the overthrowing of King Aerys II Targaryen). The two series are intertwined, with characters from GoT tracing their ancestry back to House of the Dragon.
The premiere episode of the HBO show sets the stage by establishing the timeline in relation to Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), the iconic Targaryen from Game of Thrones, indicating that the new show unfolds 172 years before her birth. There is a gap of 186 years between the start of each show as House of the Dragon commences in 112 AC.
Nevertheless, House of the Dragon presents a challenge in terms of timeline due to numerous time jumps in the first season. Season 1 spans from 112 to 129 AC, depicting Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) maturing and becoming mothers before the Dance of the Dragons erupts. The second season progresses a bit further, but without the time jumps.
Following the events of House of the Dragon (expected to conclude with the Dance of Dragons), significant changes occurred before the commencement of Game of Thrones, such as the dragons’ extinction, Dorne’s integration into the Seven Kingdoms, and the vanishing of the Prophecy of Ice and Fire.
5. The Hedge Knight (2025)
Chronological timeline: 209 AC, 80 years after House of the Dragon, 90 years before GoT
Status: In production, eyeing 2025 premiere date
The Hedge Knight, set to premiere sometime in 2025, is the next instalment in expanding the shows like the Game of Thrones universe created by George R.R. Martin. Based on the novella series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the show will follow the adventures of Ser Dunk the Tall and his royal squire Aegon Egg.
Taking place in 209 AC, the series is positioned 80 years after House of the Dragon and 90 years before Game of Thrones. With the potential to feature characters from both previous shows, The Hedge Knight offers a unique perspective on the world of Westeros. Unlike its predecessors, this series will focus more on personal growth and the bond between the two main characters, rather than political intrigue and large-scale battles. While glimpses of the wider world and King’s Landing may be included, the heart of the story lies in the exploits of Dunk and Egg.
6. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Chronological timeline: 298 AC
Status: Aired its eighth and final season in 2019
Serving as the gateway to the enchanting world of Westeros, Game of Thrones did not explicitly establish the year it took place in, as it was the sole series at the time. However, in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire books, the timeline of the show can be traced back to 298 A.C.
This is when Ned Stark, portrayed by Sean Bean, relocates to King’s Landing to serve as the Hand of the King to Robert Baratheon, played by Mark Addy. This pivotal moment sets the stage for the second rise and fall of the Targaryen dynasty, which had ruled several decades prior to the events of the series, allowing Robert to ascend to the throne. Yet, this is merely the beginning of the epic tale.
As the story unfolds, we witness the aftermath of Robert’s demise and the impending war as the White Walkers march towards the southern realms.
While the growth and development of the young characters serve as subtle indicators of the passage of time, other conventional markers are absent. In Westeros, the concept of years is not as straightforward as fans might expect, as the changing of seasons is not governed by natural cycles but rather by mystical forces. These magical influences dictate the duration of each season, which can last for years or even decades. The iconic words of House Stark, ‘Winter is Coming’, serve as a foreboding warning of the dark times ahead, as do the playful yet cautionary words, ‘Sweet summer child’.
Ultimately, seven years after its inception, the series concludes in 305 A.C., leaving viewers with a sense of fulfilment and a bittersweet farewell.
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(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon)
