Just as the world continues to process the finale of Game Of Thrones, production is gearing up on HBO’s hotly-anticipated prequel series – one that takes place thousands of years prior to the events of the original show. That new time periods should mean this spin-off show will feel familiar but also new – and now we have a bit more of an idea of what’s going to be in store.
In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, George R.R. Martin – the man behind the original Song Of Ice & Fire novels, and an executive producer on the spin-off series – offered some new tidbits about the upcoming show. One such piece of info was that there will be Starks – the northern family descended from the First Men, who marked viewers’ way into Westerns. Obviously, these will be a completely different generation, far removed from Ned, Robb, Arya and co. “The Starks will definitely be there,” Martin confirmed, also hinting at other familiar returning elements. “Obviously the White Walkers are here – or as they’re called in my books, The Others – and that will be an aspect of it. There are also things like direwolves and mammoths.”
The show is currently shooting with the likes of Naomi Watts, Naomi Ackie, and Denise Gough on board – with Martin claiming that the series will be an ensemble show without any main lead, just as Thrones originally was. While the series is said to be filming under the production title 'Bloodmoon', it doesn’t yet have a confirmed name. While Martin had previously hinted at the title ‘The Long Night’, that ended up being the name of the Season 8 episode depicting the Battle of Winterfell. Speaking to EW, Martin suggested a slightly tweaked title that he likes. “I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind,” he said. “That would be pretty good.”
It’s early days on the prequel at the moment – but stay tuned for more updates in the future, and to see if HBO commits beyond this initial pilot episode order.