Now that Game of Thrones is done, many fans have a gaping hole in their lives. Rest assured. There’s a spin-off in the works at HBO. In an interview this week George R. R. Martin revealed the first details on the prequel series set in Westeros.
The spin-off will not have leads but will follow the formula from Game of Thrones by having an ensemble cast. I think this is an indication that fans should expect a healthy amount of death in the show. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Martin says:
“I hesitate to use the word ‘lead.’ As you know for Game of Thrones, we never even nominated anybody for
lead actress or lead actor [during awards season] until recently; it was always for supporting [categories] because the show is such an ensemble.
I think that will be true for this show too. We don’t have leads so much as a large ensemble cast.”
The series already started filming in Northern Ireland, and the new show takes place 5000 years before the events of Thrones. The spin-off won’t feature the Westeros that you already know. The country is divided into a hundred ‘petty’ kingdoms.
The only known family to be in Westeros at this time is the Starks, but it’s certain that the production team will find numerous ways to reference the original show. The Starks will have their Direwolves.
The Lannisters aren’t the same as you’ve known them. They are not settled at Casterly Rock, because Casterly Rock is occupied by the
Martin goes on to say that a possible title for the spin-off is The Longest Night, which is a small variation from his own selection.
S.J. Clarkson helms the pilot which stars Naomi Watts, Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, John Simm, Richard McCabe, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley and more.
