The Game Of Thrones prequel might be close to adding two more stars in ‘key roles’.
The officially untitled prequel (which George RR Martin claims is called The Long Night) has already cast Naomi Watts, and two other names are set to join her if the latest rumours are to be believed.
Sheila Atim and Denise Gough are apparently in talks with writer Jane Goldman and casting director Lucina Syson as they try to land actors for the main parts, say That Hashtag Show.
Atim’s role is said to be ‘one of at least six roles meant to be filled by people of colour’ after talks with Black Panther star Letitia Wright reportedly fell through. Meanwhile Gough’s part is ‘a critical role in the series’.
Neither actress has been confirmed.
Star of London’s West End Sheila has appeared in ITV drama Harlots and the series Bounty Hunters, while Irish actress Gough has been in BBC dramas Apple Tree Yard and Paula.
Watts recently admitted that she didn’t have a chance to catch Game Of Thrones when it first aired, but is doing plenty of binge-watching now in order to get up to speed.
She confessed: ‘‘I am late coming to it, I have to say, but that’s how I am with lots of things in life. ‘I am binging it right now and studying. It’s very exciting.’
The period the prequel is set in is strongly tied with the Long Night, an intense Winter which lasted an entire generation pitting the Westeros population in a battle against the undead.
Turning back to the current series, we finally have some more info about season eight after HBO released a new trailer.
The trailer takes us through the highlights of the past seven seasons.
As the highlights play, the trailer reads: ‘Every battle. Every betrayal. Every alliance. Every risk. Every fight. Every sacrifice. Every oath. Every death is all #ForTheThrone.’
While there’s no new footage to dissect, it’s a nice hype-building reminder to binge watch the entire run all over again.
The company announced the eighth and final season will be simulcast on both Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in April next year, with a more specific release date yet to be announced.
Creators David Benioff and DB Weiss teased that the opening shot of season eight will tease the start of a huge fight across Westeros, much like the beginning of season one did.
The pair revealed to Entertainment Weekly that season eight will kick off will Daenerys arriving at Winterfell with her armies to face off against the White Walkers.
This will reflect the first episode in season one back in 2011 with Robert Baratheon arriving at Winterfell to ask for Ned Stark’s help in King’s Landing.
Game Of Thrones returns in April 2019.
MORE: When is MasterChef The Professionals on and who is judging?
MORE: When is Vikings season 5 part 2 back on? Release date, trailer, cast and more details
