Game Of Thrones Prequel: Everything We Know About The Westeros-Based Spin-Off So Far

The dust settled on Game Of Thrones just months ago, but producers are already cracking on with work on various spin-off series and one has even begun filming .

The new show – which George R.R. Martin would like you to call a “successor show” – already boasts an A-list cast, jam-packed synopsis and special effects plan... but is still missing a title. 

Hopefully inspiration will strike soon. 

Here’s what we can tell you about the new drama...

Who’s in it? 

This is an easy question as the cast list has already been announced, and there are a lot of names you’ll recognise. 

The show doesn’t have a lead actor, instead featuring a gigantic ensemble of well-known names, who have already gathered in Northern Ireland for filming. 

The cast includes (deep breathe needed) Naomi Watts, John Simm, Miranda Richardson, Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth), Jamie Campbell Bower, Denise Gough and Richard McCabe (Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams).

Sheila Atim (Harlots), Ivanno Jeremiah (Humans), Georgie Henley (The Chronicles of Narnia films), Alex Sharp (How to Talk to Girls at Parties) and Toby Regbo (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) will also star.

You can see a full list of every person involved here . 

Who’s in charge? 

Jane Goldman and author George are going to be credited as the creators of the show, both holding snazzy executive producer titles too.

What will it be called? 

Bloodmoon is thought to be a working title but don’t be surprised if it’s called something else by the time it arrives on our screens.

A number of other possible titles have been mooted by George too though, including The Long Night.

He also recently told Entertainment Weekly : “I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind. That would be pretty good.”

When will it be set? 

The events of the show will take place around five thousands years before Game Of Thrones, HBO previously announced, revealing a summary that explains : “The series chronicles the world’s descent from the Golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour.”

George later revealed that back then, Westeros was split into far more than seven kingdoms too. 

He told Entertainment Weekly : “Eventually you get back to where there are a hundred kingdoms — petty kingdoms — and that’s the era we’re talking about here.”

Will any familiar characters appear? 

Given how early it is set in Westeros history, no. Well, apart from White Walkers, “or as they’re called in my books, The Others”, George previously said. 

The Lannisters will not be there but the Starks will and “there are things like direwolves and mammoths”.

What will happen in the show? 

A HBO synopsis reads: “From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend, only one thing is for sure: It’s not the story we think we know.”

What other spin-off programmes are there?

Writing shortly after the series eight finale aired, George RR Martin teased that he’s working on a whopping eight new shows – but they won’t all be “Westeros-related”.

So how many of them will be? Three, it seems . One is this – which on his blog, George has also called “The one I’m not supposed to call The Long Night” – and the two others “remain in the script stage but are edging closer”.

He wrote earlier this year: “What are they about? I cannot say. But maybe some of you should pick up a copy of FIRE & BLOOD and come up with your own theories.” [sic]

George published Fire & Blood, a history of Westeros, last year.

Could there be any more? 

Who knows – but fans are calling for Arya Stark to get her own series. 

The season eight finale of GoT showed the youngest Stark sister deciding to turn her back on Westeros and set sail for the unexplored shores west of the seven kingdoms. 

As many fans have pointed out, this is surely the perfect premise for a spin-off. Who wouldn’t want to see what the Night King-slaying assassin-turned-explorer gets up to next? 

It’s rare we say this, but hopefully HBO bow to fan pressure on this one.