{
  "id": 17458,
  "title": "Game of Thrones: The Mad King Reveals Full Stage Cast and First Portrait",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/game-of-thrones-the-mad-king-reveals-full-stage-cast-and-first",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-01T21:35:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IGN",
    "slug": "ign",
    "url": "https://www.ign.com/articles/game-of-thrones-the-mad-king-cast-first-look"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The first portrait and full cast for the upcoming stage adaptation of George R. R. Martin's Game of Thrones: The Mad King has been unveiled. Scheduled to premiere on August 8, 2026, at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, the prequel is set to run until September 5, 2026. This production, adapted by Duncan Macmillan from Martin's A Game of Thrones series, marks the 30th anniversary of the original novel's publication. Directed by Dominic Cooke, the play delves into the final years leading up to the events of the novels, offering a glimpse into a significant period of Westerosi history. The ensemble cast features notable actors such as Tanisha Spring, Elizabeth Ayodele, Mariah Gayle, Callum Woodhouse, Harmony Rose-Bremner, Luke Brady, Noah Ritter, and Michael Abubakar. Key characters like King Aerys II Targaryen, Queen Rhaella Targaryen, Princess Elia Martell, and Eddard Stark are among those portrayed in the production. The creative team, led by Dominic Cooke and Duncan Macmillan, includes puppetry specialists Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, costume designer Georgia McGuinness, and lighting designer Jon Clark, among others.",
  "summary": "See the first official cast photo for Game of Thrones: The Mad King stage play, featuring King Aerys II, Rhaegar Targaryen, Young Ned Stark, and more.",
  "key_points": [
    "Stage adaptation of Game of Thrones: The Mad King unveiled",
    "Premieres August 8, 2026, at Royal Shakespeare Theatre",
    "Cast includes Tanisha Spring, Elizabeth Ayodele, and others"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}