The Game of Thrones prequel now has a name, cast and we can finally confirm its plot.
The Long Night is now a real thing we can all get very excited about as details surrounding the spin-off series from HBO’s most successful show of all time are coming in thick and fast.
The latest being that The Long Night will follow the story of Azor Ahoi, aka The Prince That Was Promised, which Game of Thrones fans should be very familiar with, thanks to the prophecy which has flowed through the veins of the fantasy epic and is often referred to by Melissandre.
The Westori prophecy goes that Azor Ahai was a legendary hero who wielded a burning sword called the Lightbarer, chosen to fight against the darkness which loomed over the world.
(Picture: HBO)
However, to make such a weapon, Azor Ahai had to sacrifice his lover Nissa Nissa.
The Red Witch, Melissandre often refers to the ancient books of Asshai, which claim the warrior is to be reborn again after a long summer of evil, with most fingers pointing at Jon Snow – and subsequently spelling danger for Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen.
And, to coincide with the news, Poldark star Josh Whitehouse has been cast as the first male lead alongside previously announced Naomi Watts. So, it’s not implausible to jump to the conclusion that we have out Azor Ahair, right?
Well, writer Jane Goldman (of Kick-Ass and Kingsman fame) has warned is ‘not the story we think we know’ so whatever you think is coming almost certainly isn’t.
Writing on his blog earlier this year, Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin explained: ‘Yes, this is a prequel, not a sequel.
‘This one really puts the PRE in prequel, since it is set not ninety years before Game of Thrones (like Dunk & Egg), or a few hundred years, but rather ten thousand years (well, assuming the oral histories of the First Men are accurate, but there are maesters at the Citadel who insist it has only been half that long).
‘We’re very early in the process, of course, with the pilot order just in, so we don’t have a director yet, or a cast, or a location, or even a title.’
As for Game of Thrones, season eight will be landing on HBO and Sky Atlantic in 2019.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Poldark’s Josh Whitehouse cast in Game Of Thrones prequel The Long Night
MORE: Naomi Watts age, husband and previous films as she is cast for Game of Thrones prequel
