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Naomi Watts to Star in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel

While everything surrounding Game of Thrones seems to be consistently veiled in mystery, we finally have our first big news item about the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel – Naomi Watts is on board! According to Deadline,Watts will be starring as the lead of the prequel’s pilot, which comes from Kingsman writer Jane Goldman and Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin.

Taking place thousands of years before Game of Thrones, the prequel “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.”

Surprinsgly, it was revealed that Watts will be playing “a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret.” Having Goldman serving as both writer and showrunner, it seemed likely that the series would feature a female lead, but Casey Bloys, HBO President of programming, hinted that much like Thrones, the pilot would feature an ensemble cast.

[row]“There are very strong female characters but it’s an ensemble, there are men and women. Jane is a very good writer, we don’t want to limit her to writing female leads. There are a lot of very complicated leads in (the pilot).”[/row]

In addition to Goldman and Martin, the pilot episode will be executive produced by Game of Thrones co-executive Vince Gerardis and Bloodline co-creator Daniel Zelman. James Farrell and Jim Danger Gray of BBC Studios will also executive produce with The Alienist’s Chris Symes co-executive producing. The pilot will be filmed in Belfast at the Paint Hall in Titanic Quarters, the same studio where the Game of Thrones was filmed.

Watts has been nominated for two Academy Awards for her performances in The Impossible and 21 Grams. Most recently she appeared in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks sequel on Showtime and the feature film Ophelia alongside Daisy Ridley. Other credits include Shut In, Divergent series installments Allegiant and Insurgent, St. Vincent, Birdman, King Kong, and The Ring. 

Are you excited about Watts joining the Game of Thrones universe? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!