Game of Thrones Prequel Pilot Eyeing 2019 Production Start

HBO programming president Casey Bloys has announced at the 2018 TCA’s that the network is hoping to begin production on the in-development Game of Thrones prequel pilot in 2019. Bloys added that the search for a director is also underway.

The big-budgeted spinoff is created by Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass, Kingsman) and GOT author and prequel co-executive producer George R.R. Martin, written by Goldman based on a story by her and Martin. The untitled pilot takes the prequel concept to a new level as it is set thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones. The series 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’ 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.

Goldman is serving as showrunner and will executive produce alongside Martin as well as fellow Game of Thrones executive producer Vince Gerardis and co-creator/executive producer Daniel Zelman (Damages, Bloodline).

Last month, Martin confirmed that none of the characters or actors from the current Game of Thrones series will be appearing in the prequel since it is set ten thousand years before the events of Game of Thrones. He also noted that “three more Game of Thrones prequels, set in different periods and featuring different characters and storylines, remain in active development.”

In addition to the final season of Game of Thrones, HBO’s drama series slate includes Westworld, which recently ended its second season and was renewed for a third, the recently premiered Succession and Sharp Objects limited series starring Amy Adams, the J.J. Abrams’ recently ordered Demimonde, season three of True Detective and the second seasons of Big Little Lies and The Deuce.

Other HBO drama pilot also includes Damon Lindeloff’s Watchmen, Zandaya’s Euphoria, and J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele’s Lovecraft Country.