First Look: Character Portrait released for George R. R. Martin’s Game Of Thrones: The Mad King

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George R.R.Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King. Photo by Seamus Ryan © RSC.

Ahead of the official opening for the world premiere of George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King, a new play based on novels by George R. R. Martin, adapted by Duncan Macmillan and directed by Dominic Cooke, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) releases a group portrait introducing members of the company in character for the first time. The release marks the 30-year anniversary for the original publication of George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones, the first novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Left to right, the portrait includes Tanisha Spring as Ashara Dayne, Elizabeth Ayodele as Princess Elia Martell, Mariah Gale as Queen Rhaella Targaryen, Callum Woodhouse as Lord Robert Baratheon, Michael Shaeffer as King Aerys II Targaryen, Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, Luke Brady as Brandon Stark, Noah Ritter as Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark.

Enter the world before.

A long winter thaws in Harrenhal, and spring is promised. At a lavish banquet on the eve of a jousting tournament, lovers meet and revellers speculate about who will contend. But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot. Far away, the drums of battle sound.

Family bonds, ancient prophecies, and the sacred line of succession will be tested in a dangerous campaign for power. Who will survive? Who will rise?

'Wars aren’t won by those with most cause, but whose story’s best told.'

George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King is a sweeping new stage epic from the world of George R. R. Martin. Spanning the final years before the events of the novels, this powerful drama reveals a legendary chapter of Westerosi history.

George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones: The Mad King will run at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon until Saturday 5 September 2026 with official opening night on Saturday 8 August. Running time 4 hours including a 20 minute interval.

For details of the cast and creatives, and to book tickets, please visit the RSC website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/ Box Office: 01789 331111.