In the long, cold, seemingly endless weeks since Game of Thrones [1] ended, we've been waiting for any and all news about the HBO's upcoming Westeros-inspired prequel [2], and it's finally here! The nameless series, which is currently filming in North Ireland, will take place roughly 5,000 years before Game of Thrones [3] and delves into the early history of the Seven Kingdoms — so a few of our favourite families don't even exist yet!
Because it's set so far back in the past, the show will take place before even House Targaryen and its dragons graced Westeros. But what does this mean for our other favourite Thrones families? "The Lannisters aren't there yet, but Casterly Rock is certainly there; it's like the Rock of Gibraltar," Martin said. "It's actually occupied by the Casterlys — for whom it's still named after in the time of Game of Thrones."
While the prequel predates both the Lannisters and the Targaryens, at least we can look forward to one prominent family from Westeros making an appearance. "The Starks will definitely be there," Martin added. By the grace of the Old Gods and the New, the Starks, as descendants of the First Men, and their loyal direwolves will definitely play a role in the prequel, along with a few new creatures like mammoths and some familiar villains. "Obviously the White Walkers are here — or as they're called in my books, The Others — and that will be an aspect of it," Martin said.
As for the state of the Seven Kingdoms themselves? There will be a lot more than seven. "We talk about the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; there were Seven Kingdoms at the time of Aegon's Conquest," Martin said. "But if you go back further, then there are nine kingdoms and 12 kingdoms, and eventually you get back to where there are 100 kingdoms — petty kingdoms — and that's the era we're talking about here." Yep, 100 kingdoms!
While we thought seven kingdoms rampageing with dragons and wights and cunning Lannisters was a lot to keep track of, it sounds like we'll have even more drama-filled and action-packed Stark storylines to look forward to soon enough. HBO has yet to reveal a premiere date for the show, but it might be released as soon as early 2020. Until then, I'll be here, trying to think up 93 more kingdom names.