Game of Thrones could get up to four spin-offs. What does the choice of writers tell us about what's coming?

Spin-offs are coming – and HBO is going all in. The network are doubling down on additional adventures from Westeros (and beyond?) by announcing the development of not one, not two, but possibly four (!) spin-offs from the main Game of Thrones series. Bring. It. On.

HBO announced – via Mashable – that four writers are attached to work in tandem with George R.R Martin over the production of upcoming spin-offs. Head Thrones scribes D.B Weiss and David Benioff won’t be writing but are attached, alongside Martin, as executive producers.

So, when will the spin-offs hit our screens? Probably expect more news post-season 8, but, for now, there’s nothing set in stone, as HBO state: "There is no set timetable for these projects.  We'll take as much or as little time as the writers need and, as with all our development, we will evaluate what we have when the scripts are in."

So far, so very, very little to go on. Or maybe not. Let’s check out who those writers are…

Jane Goldman, best known for her work on the Kingsman series, as well as X-Men: First Class, seems to specialise in ensemble, exceedingly cool action pieces. That’s certainly right up Game of Thrones’ alley. My best guess? A Night’s Watch prequel.

Max Borenstein has a monstrous CV – literally. He’s penned Godzilla and Kong: Skull Island and, although this is just speculation, it would hardly be surprising to see him brought in as a go-to monster guy. Something to do with dragons, perhaps?

Brian Helgeland has previous with swords and shields, having written A Knight’s Tale. But it’s LA Confidential that really catches the eye. Imagine a neo-noir Thrones crime tale with all of the twists and turns we’ve come to expect from Westeros.

And, finally, Carly Wray has previously written for Mad Men and The Leftovers. Interestingly, they’re both slow-burn, character pieces. Hardly Game of Thrones’ forte but this is the most intriguing of the lot. Could we be getting a slower-paced treatment of Westeros? A political drama, or something similar?

What Thrones spin-offs would you want to see? Something to do with the First Men would probably go down well, or maybe finally catching a glimpse of the Mad King – with sporadic appearances by Jaime Lannister. Or maybe, just maybe. Rowin’ with Gendry (crosses fingers).

Image: HBO