Game of Thrones: The Mad King
Stage play by Duncan Macmillan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Game of Thrones: The Mad King is a stage play by Duncan Macmillan. It is an adapted prequel to the epic high fantasy novel series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin.
| Game of Thrones: The Mad King | |
|---|---|
| |
| Written by | Duncan Macmillan |
| Based on | |
| Genre | |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 8 August 2026 |
| Place | Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon |
| Directed by | |
Production
On 18 February 2026, it was announced that the play would be presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company, with its world premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, directed by Dominic Cooke. Full casting was announced on 29 May 2026.[1]
Previews were scheduled to begin on 20 July 2026, however the first weeks previews were cancelled,[2] one with just a few hours notice.[3] The opening night is scheduled for 8 August, running until 5 September.[4][5][6]
The play is set 10 years before A Game of Thrones,[7] amidst a tournament at Harrenhal. Members of the inner circle of the titular Mad King Aerys II plot against him, as fears grow about his accelerating ruthlessness.[8]
Cast and characters
| Character | Stratford-upon-Avon |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| King Aerys II Targaryen | Michael Shaeffer |
| Prince Rhaegar Targaryen | Noah Ritter |
| Lord Robert Baratheon | Callum Woodhouse |
| Eddard Stark | Michael Abubakar |
| Lyanna Stark | Harmony Rose-Bremner |
| Queen Rhaella Targaryen / Lady Shella Whent | Mariah Gale |
| Cersei Lannister / Golda Whent | Daisy Franks |
| Brandon Stark | Luke Brady |
| Ser Jaime Lannister | Maxim Ays |
| Catelyn Stark | Marty Breen |
| Lord Varys | Hughie O’Donnell |
| Ser Jonothor Darry / Lord Tywin Lannister | Marcello Walton |
| Lord Rickard Stark | Alexander Newland |
| Prince Oberyn Martell | Edem-Ita Duke |
| Princess Elia Martell | Elizabeth Ayodele |
| Ashara Dayne | Tanisha Spring |
| Ser Arthur Dayne | Kel Matsena |
| Ser Gerold Hightower | Shaun Yusuf McKee |
| Ser Barristan Selmy | Daniel Hawksford |
| Grand Maester Pycelle | Richard Hansell |
| Lord Whent / Wisdom Rossart | Tom Larkin |
| Benjen Stark | Miles Barrow |
| Howland Reed | Islam Bouakkaz |
| Ser Oswell Whent | Huw Parmenter |
| Prince Lewyn Martell | Adrian Christopher |
| Yoren | Lewis Howard |
| Owen Merryweather | Sebastian Charles |
| Qarlton Chelsted | Fred Davis |