‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’ sets stage premiere for July 2026

The world of Game of Thrones is expanding once again—this time beyond the screen and onto the stage.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that Game of Thrones: The Mad King will debut on July 20, 2026, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, with performances scheduled through September 5.

Written by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the production explores the final years of King Aerys II Targaryen—the infamous “Mad King” whose descent into madness ignited Robert’s Rebellion and shaped the events of A Song of Ice and Fire.

Veteran actor David Rintoul will take on the role of the doomed monarch. The play will also feature key figures from Houses Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, and Martell.

In a bold staging choice, the production will unfold on a cross-shaped platform, placing the audience at the center of the action for an immersive theatrical experience.

Tickets go on sale April 22, with early access beginning April 14 for company supporters. Due to anticipated demand, purchases will be capped at four tickets per person.

Author George R. R. Martin welcomed the adaptation, saying he never imagined his work would reach the stage.

“Theater offers something unique,” Martin shared. “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, earning 59 Emmy Awards and launching multiple spin-offs, including House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

With The Mad King, the saga enters a new realm—bringing the drama of Westeros to life in an entirely different way.