Game of Thrones prequel begins filming in Northern Ireland; show expected to premiere in 2020

Two months after Game of Thrones reached its end, however divisive it may have been, the shooting of its prequel is officially underway. According to Entertainment Weekly, the filming has quietly begun on the untitled follow-up to the HBO epic fantasy series in a familiar location Northern Ireland, which served as the production hub for GoT during its run through 2011 to 2019. [caption id=“attachment_4514721” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Still from Game of Thrones. HBO[/caption] However, it is unclear if the new show will also be shot in other countries. The prequel pilot comes from writer Jane Goldman and GoT creator and co-executive producer George RR Martin and director SJ Clarkson. Goldman will also serve as showrunner. It will be set thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones. Led by Naomi Watts, the show will also star Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Miranda Richardson, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp and Toby Regbo. Martin has suggested the show will be titled The Long Night, which was also the title of the third episode of GoT final season. If the pilot is greenlit to series, the show is likely to air in late 2020.