HBO has found its first cast member for the as-yet-untitled Game of Thrones spinoff prequel pilot, with the cable network announcing that Naomi Watts is set to portray “a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret”.
The spinoff has been developed by Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass, Kingsman), who co-created the project with A Song of Ice and Fire creator George R.R. Martin. Although specific details are being kept under wraps, it has been revealed previously that the potential series will chronicle “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.”
SEE ALSO: George R.R. Martin wants Game of Thrones spinoff to be titled The Long Night
In addition to this project,HBO was developing a further four potential spinoffs from its epic fantasy series, although one of those has since been shelved. There’s no word yet as to when we might expect the show to arrive, should it make it to series, but with the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones set to air this coming summer, one would have to assume that HBO will be keen to get the prequel up and running ready to fill the GoT gap in 2020.
The Game of Thrones spinoff marks the latest TV role for Oscar-nominee Watts, who has recently been seen in Netflix’s Gypsy and Showtime’s Twin Peaks, and is gearing up to portray Gretchen Carlson in the limited series The Loudest Voice in the Room.
