The Jon Snow spinoff series may not happen in the foreseeable future, and it’s sad to think that we won’t have a fitting place anymore to explore the Wildling clans of the frostbitten forests and shadowy mountains beyond the Wall.
While the Free Folk had a significant amount of screen time in Game of Thrones, it would be interesting to know what happens to them next, especially after the Night King has been defeated, and Jon Snow has seemingly joined them.
That said, these are the Wildling clans, ranked by importance, that could have been featured in the canceled series:
8. Nightrunners
A still of Wildlings in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO
Not much is known about the Nightrunners in Game of Thrones, as they seemingly weren’t prominent or not even mentioned in the series. In A Storm of Swords, the Nightrunners notably joined with Mance Rayder for his attack on the Wall.
The canceled Jon Snow series could be the avenue for fans to get to know these mysterious Wildlings, who usually move under the cover of darkness. Jon encountering them will certainly provide him with a new perspective as he searches for a new purpose outside the Wall.
7. Cave-Dwellers
A still of cave-dwellers in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO
Cave-dwellers, or the cave people, are a clan of Free Folk distinguished by the paint they cover their faces with. The lore also revealed they file their teeth. As their name suggests, they live inside the cave systems of the Frostfangs.
In Game of Thrones Season 3, they were seen marching in Mance Rayder’s army after he united all of the different Wildling clans to assault the Wall. Notably, the cave-dwellers were one of the more isolated Wildling groups, and apparently, everyone hates them. It was never revealed why, and the spinoff could have ultimately touched upon this subject.
6. Ice-River Clans
A still from Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO
A very interesting Wildling clan that we won’t ever get to see is the Ice-River clans, who take refuge near the great ice rivers beyond the Wall, north of the Frozen Shore, and south of the Lands of Always Winter. Did we also mention they are cannibals? Yes, they feast on human flesh.
The Ice-River clans were also part of Mance’s army marching towards the Wall. They have a notable quarrel with the Men of the Frozen Shore, and because they live in a true arctic wasteland with no plants or animals, they raid other tribes, hunt men, and turn them into food.
5. Non-Human Giants
Neil Fingleton in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO
Giants aren’t just fabled creatures in the known world—they actually exist outside the Wall, and we’ve seen them in the series. While the inhabitants of the Seven Kingdoms had never seen one, some Wildlings had interacted with them.
While we can’t classify these giants as technically a Wildling clan, we thought it would be cool to see them again in another spinoff franchise. We’ve seen the likes of Mag the Mighty and Wun Wun, but there certainly are more giants out there lurking beyond the Wall.
4. Hornfoots
Edward Dogliani in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO
The Hornfoots dwell on the Frostfangs and are known for the blackened and hardened soles of their feet, as they do not wear anything on them. In the lore, these folks warred with the Nightrunners before Mance united them.
The show doesn’t clearly state which ones were the Hornfoots, but it is believed that they could be the Wildlings living up in the Frostfang Mountains. The Lord of Bones and his group could be the closest version of the Hornfoots, but we certainly couldn’t confirm unless we get a Jon Snow spinoff.
3. Men of the Frozen Shore
Birgitte Hjort Sorensen in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO
One of the most interesting clans, the Men of the Frozen Shore are divided into two factions: people wearing antlers on their hats and others wearing walrus tusks. Neither gets along well. The Wildlings living near the coasts who decorate their clothing with seashells could be the TV series version of this group.
In the show, they reside in desolate areas surrounded by water, so they get their food from the sea. The book, however, describes them as inhabitants of the Frozen Shore who live in huts of ice.
2. Thenns
A still of Thenns in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO
The Thenns are led by the Magnar of Thenn, who is considered by his people more of a god than a man. They notably have laws and lords in their valley, so they are more sophisticated than other Wildlings. They are great fighters, too: disciplined, obedient, and equipped with better-quality weapons.
In the series, however, the Thenns were depicted as Free Folk who engage in ritual cannibalism and self-scarification. The Jon Snow spinoff could have explored this a little bit more and their difference with the Ice-River clans.
1. Haunted Forest Wildlings
Credits: HBO
Credits: HBO
Credits: HBO
The majority of the Wildlings we saw on the show were from the Haunted Forest, the vast area that covers most of the lands beyond the Wall. They are recognized by their use of animal furs. Many of the characters we know, such as Mance Rayder, Tormund Giantsbane, and Ygritte, seemingly come from this clan.
In the final season, we see Tormund greet Jon upon his return to Castle Black. Together, they head towards the land beyond the Wall with other Wildlings. This could work as the opening scene if we ever had the Jon Snow spinoff.
TV Show:Game of ThronesShowrunners:David Benioff & D.B. WeissBased on:George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and FireNumber of Installments:8Rotten Tomatoes:89% | 85%
Here is a quick FAQ guide for you:
Is the Jon Snow series officially canceled?
Yes, the project has been shelved indefinitely.
Why is the Jon Snow spinoff not pushing forward?
Kit Harington once said that they could not find the right story to tell.
Will we get more Game of Thrones spinoffs in the future?
Yes, there are several planned projects developing at HBO.
Are you still wishing for HBO to revive the Jon Snow series? Let us know in the comments!
Game of Thrones is currently available to watch on HBO Max.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
