By Game of Thrones ended in April. A whole lot of fans were none too pleased with its resolution (myself and our Chris Compendio included), but we all move on. Like adults. HBO is also moving on, with filming underway on the pilot episode of the yet-to-be-titled prequel series set within the world of Westeros.
We knew before that the series was indeed a prequel, set nearly 5,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and would date before the iconic Targaryan family and their big, scaly dragons hit the scene. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Song of Ice and Fire creator George RR Martin gave some new insight on the prequel series, and things are sounding promising.
First up, Martin hints at the political landscape of Westeros. “We talk about the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; there were Seven Kingdoms at the time of Aegon’s Conquest. But if you go back further then there are nine kingdoms, and 12 kingdoms, and eventually you get back to where there are a hundred kingdoms — petty kingdoms — and that’s the era we’re talking about here.”
Among those smaller kingdoms, the leading Starks of the original series are set to return in a big way, as are their big furry friends. Direwolves and mammoths will return, and Martin says “the Starks will definitely be there.” Everyone’s favorite debt-payers, not so much. “The Lannisters aren’t there yet, but Castlery Rock is certainly there.” Not that you could expect Charles Dance’s Tywin, solid and bitter as he is, to be around 5,000 years ago, but we might not see any conniving or incest coming from that department. Interestingly though, their home base hangout, Casterly Rock, is occupied by the Casterly family during the time of the prequel. Perhaps we’ll see that great house lose their pad..?
Other tidbits mentioned are the show’s continued commitment to ensemble casting, in that our time will be spent fairly with the various character comprising the cast.
And in terms of the title of the elusive prequel, The Long Night was mentioned as a title Martin was fond of, though things might get even darker. “I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind.”
For more bleak Game of Thrones shenanigans, stay tuned!
George R.R. Martin reveals 5 new facts about HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel [Entertainment Weekly]