Naomi Watts joins HBO's Game of Thrones prequel series
The two-time Oscar nominee is the first actor to join the prequel series led by Jane Goldman and George R.R. Martin.
The path to legitimacy for HBO’s highly anticipated prequel series starts with Naomi Watts. Variety first got the scoop revealing the two-time Oscar nominee will play a “charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret.”
HBO’s prequel series will chronicle Westeros’ descent from the ‘golden Age of Heroes’ thousands of years before the world of George R.R. Martin’s Seven Kingdoms existed. X-Men scribe Jane Goldman and GoT mastermind himself, George R.R. Martin co-wrote the pilot and will serve as the series showrunners.
George R.R. Martin was first to share his excitement confirming Watts’ casting announcement along with the title to HBO’s successor series: ‘The Long Night’. Back in July, HBO President Casey Bloy’s teased the prequel’s ensemble will include “strong female characters” and “very complicated leads”. Fair to say Watts checks both boxes in her accomplished career.
Production for the pilot episode was originally slated for October at The Paint Hall in Belfast’s Titanic Quarters. Incidentally that happens to be the same production location for David Benioff and D.B. Weiss’ 2019 Star Wars spin-off. While there are still a few hurdles to overcome, it appears production will now take place early 2019 with a premiere likely for 2021.
Expect additional casting announcements as Goldman, Martin, and HBO continue to round out what should be an exceptional ensemble!
