A Game of Thrones fan theory could see the mother of all plot twists unveiled in the next instalment of George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.
As fans will know, the paths of Martin’s original books and the HBO show diverged significantly as the epic fantasy series outgrew its source material.
While we’re still waiting for Martin to deliver the final manuscript of The Winds of Winter (which will form the penultimate book in his saga), some eagle-eyed viewers think they’ve already spotted a twist.
One of the most notable plotlines that showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss cut from the TV show (sorry, Lady Stoneheart!) is the emergence of Young Griff, who purports to be the older brother of Daenerys Targaryen.
Of course, we all know that in the adaption, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) was actually unveiled as a secret Targaryen, the love child of Dany’s brother Rhaeger and Ned Stark’s sister Lyanna.
Young Griff (who Tyrion meets on his travels in the book) stakes is claim to be Rhaeger’s first-born son, who like his cousins Dany and Viserys was smuggled out of King’s Landing by loyal followers following the attack by Robert Baratheon.
Many fans, however, think that Young Griff is something of a red herring that Martin has planted in his narrative – but that’s not stopped them fantasising that a third Targaryen could be out there (the dragon does, after all, have three heads).
Now, a new theory (via Inverse) speculates that the actual secret Targaryen might be closer to home…as one of Jon’s best friends.
Namely, that Samwell Tarly is actually elder Aegon, who was adopted by notorious Taragryen sympathiser Randall Tarly and raised as his own.
Of course, Samwell and his father had a notorious feud in both the show and the novels, could this be the route of it? This also begs the question if Samwell, much like Jon, was sent to the Night’s Watch not as a punishment, but as a form of protection.
The world of Westeros certainly isn’t going away time soon, however, so don’t panic.
A prequel is on the way, centred around the Targaryen Dynasty’s arrival in Westeros and the ensuing civil war, which eventually paved the way for the evenrs of the main series.
Entitled House of the Dragon, it’s being overseen by A Song of Ice and Fire scribe George RR Martin, and if reports are to be believed, bosses have already started casting the three main characters.
Game of Thrones is available to stream via NOW TV.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion break record with WAP as they debut at number one in the US
