George R.R. Martin divulges details about ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel: Starks, Casterly rock, and more!

We didn’t get much of Casterly Rock in ‘Game of Thrones,’ but will the prequel series change that?

More and more information about the Game of Thrones prequel series, tentatively titled Blood Moon (although more on that title in a bit!), is starting to find its way to the internet and to us, the fans still hungry for more Westeros content. This time, no less than the creator of the fantastic world itself, George R.R. Martin, is letting a few new details slip in a new interview!

EW recently spoke with GRRM about the prequel, which is helmed by showrunner Jane Goldman and officially began filming in May (and has seen more and more activity in the last month or so). Martin dropped several tantalizing hints and even suggested a possible new title for the series! Here are the important facts from the interview:

1. Westeros is divided. “We talk about the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; there were Seven Kingdoms at the time of Aegon’s Conquest,” Martin said. “But if you go back further then there are nine kingdoms, and 12 kingdoms, and eventually you get back to where there are a hundred kingdoms — petty kingdoms — and that’s the era we’re talking about here.”

2. Rejoice, Stark stans! Martin confirms the fan-favorite family is around. “The Starks will definitely be there,” he said. And while much has been made about the fact the prequel predates dragons, that doesn’t mean there won’t be other creatures like mammoths and direwolves.

3. No Lannisters…or are there? The prequel predates the rise of the Lannister family, Martin says. But there is another family currently residing in the future Lannister homestead. “The Lannisters aren’t there yet, but Castlery Rock is certainly there … It’s actually occupied by the Casterlys — for whom it’s still named after in the time of Game of Thrones.” Will the tale of how Lann the Clever swindled the Rock away from the Casterlys be told in the prequel?

4. Like GoT, it’s a true ensemble. HBO’s cast breakdown appeared to suggest the show might be led by a trio of female leads (Naomi Watts, Naomi Ackie, and Denise Gough). Asked about this, Martin said the prequel — like Game of Thrones — is more accurately described as an ensemble story. “As you know for Game of Thrones, we never even nominated anybody for lead actress or lead actor [during awards season] until recently; it was always for supporting [categories] because the show is such an ensemble. I think that will be true for this show too. We don’t have leads so much as a large ensemble cast.”

5. Blood Moon, The Long Night, or something different? The prequel is still officially untitled, Martin emphasized, despite the recently-spied production schedule that has Blood Moon at the top. In the past, the author has suggested the title The Long Night, which remains Martin’s preferred title, although there is another similar possibility being considered. “I heard a suggestion that it could be called The Longest Night, which is a variant I wouldn’t mind,” he said. “That would be pretty good.”

More information is available in the full article, but what do you think of these new details? Is this anything that surprises you, or were you expecting some of this? Does this make you more interested in the prequel? Let us know in the comments!

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