Skip to main content

HBO to give Game of Thrones fans theories and recaps on After the Thrones

game of thrones after show hbo season 6 18
HBO
HBO is giving Game of Thrones fans a new way to obsess over the hit fantasy drama series. The premium network announced plans today to launch After the Thrones, a new weekly aftershow that will delve into all things GoT. The series will be hosted by Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan, stemming from HBO’s partnership with Bill Simmons.

After the Thrones is described as taking “a lively, humorous and sophisticated look” at Game of Thrones, with installments recapping the latest episode and getting into the nitty-gritty. The hosts will discuss everything from GoT politics to theories — both “absurd and not-so-absurd” — about where the show is headed. The network seems to have a lot of faith in Greenwald and Ryan as hosts, promising that they’ll “discuss the show as only they can.”

Recommended Videos

Having previously hosted the Grantland podcast Watch the Thrones, the duo has already proven to be very well-versed in GoT. Greenwald and Ryan have also gained experience as the hosts of The Watch for Channel 33’s podcast feed for The Ringer. They should be prepared to dive right into the fray and steer the conversation about what showrunners have promised is the best season yet.

Aftershows are often a smart way to engage a TV show’s fandom. AMC, in particular, has been a active in creating such series. The network recently introduced Talking Saul to analyze Better Call Saul, and has previously debuted Talking Dead and Talking Bad for The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad fans, respectively. Like HBO, the BBC was inspired to add an aftershow, After the Black for its sci-fi hit Orphan Black.

After the Thrones will be available each week starting with season six’s April 24 premiere. Viewers will be able to find episodes on Mondays on HBO Now, HBO Go, and HBO On Demand, plus on affiliate portals. So far, HBO hasn’t announced play dates on the network’s main channel, but they’re promised to be announced after they are confirmed.

After the Thrones comes from executive producers Simmons and BSMG president Eric Weinberger. Ryan and Greenwald will co-executive produce.

Stephanie Topacio Long
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
5 questions we have ahead of House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale
Two dragons roar behind Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon season 2.

It may seem like only yesterday that HBO's House of the Dragon returned from its two-year break, but the show's second season is almost over. Only one episode of the season remains and, for perhaps the first time in the series' story, it looks like Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) actually has the upper hand over her enemies. Viewers will have to wait to see how long Rhaenyra is actually able to hold onto her current advantage, but with her army in the Riverlands finally assembled and at least seven dragons and riders at her disposal, the Black Queen has never had a better opportunity than now to make an impact in the Dance of Dragons.

There are, of course, still several mysteries that must be resolved in House of the Dragon's forthcoming season 2 finale in order to determine the exact shape of Westeros' present political landscape. As book readers will already be able to tell you, the Game of Thrones prequel also has the chance to cap off its second season in truly shocking, explosive fashion, if it so chooses.

Read more
House of the Dragon has finally delivered on its biggest promises
Ser Gwayne Hightower and Ser Criston Cole look up in fear in House of the Dragon season 2.

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4.

HBO's House of the Dragon has taken its time getting to the real, fire-breathing drama at the center of its story. The Game of Thrones prequel's first season was largely a preamble — one that concluded with the shocking death of a character whose importance to the show's ostensible lead, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), was larger than it was to the audience. In the episodes since then, House of the Dragon has similarly said goodbye — in sometimes horrifyingly brutal fashion — to several of its supporting characters. All the while, it's done its best to make viewers feel the slow burn of a growing fire that has taken almost 14 full hours of television to explode.

Read more
House of the Dragon’s latest episode foreshadows one major battle
Daemon stands with his sword at the ready in House of the Dragon season 2.

In the latest episode of HBO's House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen's (Matt Smith) taking of Harrenhal doesn't go exactly as he planned. He successfully takes the castle, but there's little excitement to be found in his conquest. He arrives atop the cursed fortress astride his dragon, Caraxes, only to find the castle largely deserted -- save for a few workers and its castellan, Lord Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), who immediately surrenders Harrenhal to Daemon without protest.

While still at Harrenhal, Daemon experiences an unsettling vision. Drawn to a fire-lit room by the sound of a distant woman's hums, Daemon eventually finds himself face to face again with a younger version of Rhaenyra (returning season 1 star Milly Alcock). "Always coming and going, aren't you? And I have to clean up afterwards," Rhaenyra remarks, all while sewing the head of Prince Jaehaerys, the young boy who was decapitated as a result of Daemon's orders in the House of the Dragon season 2 premiere, back onto his body.

Read more