As we continue our long journey to the final Game of Thrones season [1], we have some extra news that may add just a bit more pep to your step. The previously announced prequel is already moving ahead with full force! Although the project technically hasn't been given a series green light by HBO, those involved are working hard on a pilot episode that will hopefully blow the socks off the studio's executives. Luckily, we haven't totally been kept in the dark; we've gotten plot details [2], special filming information [3], and casting announcements [4] to keep you updated. We thought it high time to put everything in one place.
The Title
According to Entertainment Weekly, the prequel has been tentatively titled [5] The Long Night. Sounds a lot like the whole "Winter is coming" thing, right? Luckily, we have even more insight into what that might mean for this whole new crop of characters.
The Premise
An early description from HBO said the story "chronicles 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's 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." OK, so, wow. Things are really about to get real in prehistoric Westeros.
The Timeline
Initially, reports claimed that the series would take place 10,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones. More recently, George R.R. Martin clarified that it would be "closer to 5,000 years." Even so, that's long before any of our beloved characters. Even Melisandre, who has managed to stay youthful thanks to powerful magic [6], is only 300 years old. We're going so far back, in fact, that we probably won't even meet ancestors of ancestors of ancestors of the likes of Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen.
The State of the World
If you're thinking, "Aw, c'mon, I'm sure we're going to meet some Lannisters and Targaryens," allow us to offer this tidbit from Martin: "Westeros is a very different place. There's no King's Landing. There's no Iron Throne. There are no Targaryens — Valyria has hardly begun to rise yet with its dragons and the great empire that it built. We're dealing with a different and older world and hopefully that will be part of the fun of the series." So, yeah, it's going to be worlds away from Game of Thrones, quite literally.
The Production
The good news is the series has already reportedly begun filming! Over the Summer, we heard word that production had lurched into motion [7] and that principle photography would take place starting in October. That's incredible news; it means we might not have to wait as long as we thought.