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George R. R. Martin confirms second Game of Thrones prequel, teases series title

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HBO has a Westeros-sized void to fill in its programming plans thanks to Game of Thrones‘ controversial conclusion, but the already announced prequel series won’t be the only show to return to the wildly popular fantasy series’ mythology. A second prequel series detailing the history of House Targaryen is also in development, and is close to receiving a pilot order.

Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin confirmed in a blog post that a series based on his two-volume A Song of Ice and Fire tie-in, called Fire & Blood, is in the works, following an earlier report from The Hollywood Reporter. The Targaryen-focused series is not the same as the one starring Naomi Watts, Martin said, which has already filmed its pilot. Both projects will proceed at HBO simultaneously.

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Martin cautions that “‘moving closer to a pilot order’ is NOT the same thing as ‘getting a pilot order,'” and that the second prequel series still has a ways to go before getting HBO’s official green light. This new series has a title, but it won’t be “the obvious” one, Fire & Blood. It will have dragons.

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Finally, Martin claims that HBO is developing a third Game of Thrones prequel, although he didn’t share any further details. Two more Game of Thrones prequels, including one by Game of Thrones series writer and director Bryan Cogman, have already been canceled.

While the first, still-untitled prequel series will be set thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, the second prequel series will unfold just 300 years before the events of the eight-season show. The series’ script will be penned by Ryan Condal (Colony) and Martin. The first volume of Fire & Blood was published in November 2018, and chronicles the rise and fall of the royal family that ruled Westeros prior to the events of Game of Thrones and established Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) claim to the Iron Throne.

Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss are attached as executive producers on all of the Game of Thrones prequels, but are not actively involved in any of the projects after signing a massive deal with Netflix to produce exclusive content for the streaming service.

One of the most widely watched original series of all time, Game of Thrones wrapped up its eight-season saga with a polarizing final arc that inspired no shortage of debate among fans, as well as a widely circulated petition to refilm the entire season. Complaints aside, the series earned 161 Primetime Emmy Award nominations over the course of its run, with 47 wins so far and more likely to come at this week’s Emmy Awards.

Updated on September 17, 2019: Added official George R. R. Martin confirmation of second prequel series and additional details.

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Rick Marshall
Rick Marshall
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