Game of Thrones’ “The Mad King” play could change Jon Snow’s role in season 8
The new Game of Thrones play, “The Mad King,” contains some very interesting new information about Jon Snow that contradicts the plot of the TV series. In the television series, it is finally revealed that Jon Snow is Aegon Targaryen, the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. The two did indeed marry, as Bran Stark witnessed, and thus Jon/Aegon is officially the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, displacing Daenerys from the Targaryen line of succession.
The play, however, tells a very different story. Although Jon is still the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna, the lovers are never formally married. There is, however, some ambiguity here, as Elia Martell – Rhaegar’s actual wife – mentions that she had always agreed with the idea of Rhaegar taking a second wife: one out of duty and one out of love.
A time jump also skips Rhaegar and Lyanna’s escape together, and the second act begins when the couple is already hidden in the Tower of Joy. It is therefore possible that Rhaegar and Lyanna are considered married, but no official wedding ceremony takes place on stage.
Jon Snow without a claim to the Iron Throne
This means Jon Snow is most likely still a bastard and has no official claim to the Iron Throne (although as Rhaegar’s son he could theoretically lay claim to the crown). More importantly, however, Lyanna does not name her son before she dies in childbirth. In the television series, she tells her brother Ned Stark that her son’s name is Aegon. In the play, however, Ned names the infant Jon after Jon Arryn of the Vale, who raised Ned and Robert Baratheon as children.
All of this supports the theory that the television series blended elements from Jon Snow’s story with that of young Reef, also known as Aegon Targaryen. He claims to be the second-born son of Rhaegar (and his wife Elia), supposedly murdered by the Mountain during the Sack of King’s Landing, but actually switched with another child and saved. Although there are many hints in Martin’s books that young Reef is an imposter, this has not yet been confirmed. If young Reef is indeed who he claims to be, he would be the true heir to the Iron Throne – and his name is Aegon.
Since the young Griff was cut from the TV series, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if Jon Snow were to take over parts of his story. What exactly that means for Jon remains to be seen, as his origins didn’t play a significant role in the series.
However, it’s important to note that Martin has already stated that only the books are canon. Since Martin was involved in “The Mad King,” though, we can probably consider the play a kind of semi-canon, just as legitimate as the television series. Ultimately, we won’t know for sure until (or if) Martin has finished the books.
“Game of Thrones: The Mad King” is now playing at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until September 5, 2026. For more information, see our guide to all upcoming Game of Thrones films and TV series set in the world of Westeros.
