George R.R. Martin’s Real Plan for Bran Stark—And Why He Won’t Be King Just Yet

The shocking twist in Game of Thrones Season 8, where Bran Stark is unexpectedly crowned King of Westeros, left fans reeling and questioning how the once-inconsequential Stark could ascend to the Iron Throne. While this conclusion was controversial and a massive departure from what many had anticipated, it was not an invention of the show’s creators, but rather part of a broader plan laid out by George R.R. Martin. However, despite this established trajectory, The Winds of Winter—the highly anticipated upcoming book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series—will not be the moment that Bran Stark takes the throne, for several compelling reasons.

Bran’s Potential Kingship: A Plan by George R.R. Martin

The idea of Bran becoming king didn’t come out of nowhere. In fact, it has been part of George R.R. Martin’s vision for the books from early on. Actor Isaac Hempstead Wright, who portrays Bran in the show, revealed in 2019 that Martin had shared with the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, two key revelations for Bran’s future: the shocking Hodor moment and Bran’s eventual rise to the throne. This twist was not simply a plot device for Game of Thrones—it had been part of Martin’s grand narrative for the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Martin’s fondness for characters whom he describes as “cripples, bastards, and broken things” is evident in the narrative, and Bran has always been at the heart of that theme. As the first POV character in the books after the Prologue, Bran’s journey has always been integral to Martin’s broader vision for the series. But despite these early hints, Bran’s coronation will not come in The Winds of Winter.

Bran’s Story Is Far from Complete

As fans eagerly await The Winds of Winter, it’s important to remember that Bran’s story is far from being resolved, and the book series still has significant ground to cover before he can realistically ascend to the throne. At the start of The Winds of Winter, Bran is still in the cave of the Three-Eyed Crow (or Raven, as the show changed it), honing his powers. His training is not yet complete, and his focus is largely on mastering his warging and vision abilities—elements that will take up much of his narrative in the sixth book. With the looming death of the Three-Eyed Crow, it is likely Bran will face a major transformation, inheriting the full responsibilities of his powers. However, the journey ahead will be far more concerned with his own development than with political power struggles.

Additionally, Bran is still located far beyond the Wall, and it’s difficult to envision a scenario where he could immediately shift his focus to the politics of King’s Landing. Meanwhile, in the south, the political machinations are heating up. Aegon Targaryen, also known as Young Griff, has entered the scene with plans to take the throne, supported by Dorne and the Golden Company. His actions will undoubtedly stir the political pot, complicating any potential claim that Bran could make in the near future.

The Political Landscape in The Winds of Winter

At the same time, the political landscape of Westeros is shifting in ways that suggest Bran’s ascension to the throne will be far from straightforward. Daenerys Targaryen, who is expected to set sail for Westeros in The Winds of Winter, may also play a pivotal role in the battle for the Iron Throne. Her confrontation with Aegon Targaryen could lay the groundwork for another Dance of the Dragons, with both Targaryens fighting for control of the realm.

Bran’s story, meanwhile, is unlikely to intersect with these events in any meaningful way during The Winds of Winter. Instead, his journey will likely remain centered around his powers, his role as the Three-Eyed Raven, and his place in the broader mystical forces of the world, far removed from the immediate political struggles in the south.

A Dream of Spring: The Final Phase

Even when The Winds of Winter finally arrives, it will not mark the end of Bran’s arc, as A Dream of Spring is the final book in the series. This means that the storylines set up in The Winds of Winter will likely lead into the larger conflict of the final book, giving Bran more time to complete his journey. For now, it’s clear that Bran is not positioned to take power in the next book, and his eventual rise to the throne is more likely to occur much later in the saga.

Conclusion

While Game of Thrones delivered a shocking and controversial twist with Bran’s election as king, The Winds of Winter is unlikely to follow that path, at least not in the immediate future. Bran’s story is still very much focused on his mystical development, with his potential kingship likely relegated to the final stages of the overall saga. In the books, it is clear that Martin has a longer, more complex road ahead for Bran, and his rise to power will take time—perhaps not arriving until A Dream of Spring. Fans may have to wait a little longer to see how Bran’s journey truly ends, but one thing is clear: his destiny is still unfolding.