George R.R. Martin reveals ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel title as Naomi Watts joins cast

Filming will begin next year

George R.R Martin has revealed the title of HBO’s Game Of Thrones prequel series, shortly after it was confirmed that Naomi Watts has joined the cast.

The actor, who was nominated for an Oscar for her roles in The Impossible and 21 Grams, is the first cast member to be secured for the new project.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Watts will play “a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret” in the prequel, which is being written by X-Men: First Class‘s Jane Goldman and overseen by GoT writer George R.R. Martin.

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Now, Martin himself has confirmed that the prequel will be called ‘The Long Night’.

Posting on Twitter, he wrote: “Casting is now underway for THE LONG NIGHT, the first of the GAME OF THRONES successor series to ordered to film. HBO has just announced the first cast member: NAOMI WATTS is coming on board as one of our stars.”

Recently, fans speculated HBO may have inadvertently revealed the setting for the series in a new casting call. The descriptions call for a diverse mix of characters leading many to speculate that one of the prequels will be set in the fictional location of Essos, a landmass found to the east of Westeros.

Whilst details about the project are scarce, it has been confirmed that the prequel will take place “thousands of years” before the events in Game Of Thrones. It has been described as documenting “the world’s descent from the golden Age Of Heroes into its darkest hour. And only one thing is for sure: 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… it’s not the story we think we know.”

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The prequel has currently only been given a pilot order by the network but is expected to be given a full season. Filming is expected to begin next year, while HBO have said no follow-up series will be aired until at least a year after Game Of Thrones finishes.

The eighth and final season of GoT is due to air in 2019, with it reportedly due back on April 21. There will be six episodes in the series, rather than the usual 10.

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