The Game of Thrones untitled prequel series takes place over a thousand years before the hit HBO show. Author of A Song of Ice and Fire and executive producer of Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin shared a few details on what to expect.
“We talk about the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; there were Seven Kingdoms at the time of Aegon’s Conquest,” said Martin. “But if you go back further, then there are nine kingdoms, and 12 kingdoms, and eventually you get back to where there are 100 kingdoms — petty kingdoms — and that’s the era we’re talking about here.”
Fans will be excited to hear that the House Stark will reappear again on-screen, however, there are no Lannisters. A major threat for most of the seasons in Game of Thrones was the White Walkers. The army of the dead has been locked in for another thrilling ride.
“Obviously the White Walkers are here — or as they’re called in my books, the Others — and that will be an aspect of it,” said Martin.
As for the title, Martin seemed to be set on one particular name, while the show is currently being produced under the title Bloodmoon.
“I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind,” said Martin. “That would be pretty good.”
HBO’s President of Programming, Casey Bloys, made it clear that there are no plans to film other prequels until the pilot airs.
“It’s a great world and great IP,” explained Bloys.“We’re going to do the pilot, see how it goes. Is it possible we do another one? Maybe. But I don’t want HBO to become a network that airs just Game of Thrones or Game of Thrones prequels. It should be said that Game of Thrones has been an incredible show for us but what we’re doing is a much more diversified slate so that we’re not in a position that we have to get the Game of Thrones franchise up and running or the lights are going out at HBO. That is not the situation and it never has been.”
Naomi Watts has been cast in the lead role as socialite with details of the character under wraps. Joining her is Josh Whitehouse – another important character. The show is currently being filmed in Northern Ireland.