4 wild details from The Mad King that completely change Game of Thrones canon

A new Game of Thrones stage play, The Mad King, adds major lore changes to Targaryen history.

It portrays Aerys as traumatized and paranoid, linking his behavior to the Summerhall disaster rather than simple madness.

The play also shows Rhaegar and Lyanna as true believers in prophecy, while recontextualizing Elia’s role in the story.

These changes could reshape long-running fan debates about the Mad King, the Prince Who Was Promised, and the canon behind A Song of Ice and Fire.