Game of Thrones prequel series: George R.R. Martin talks timeline

The Game of Thrones prequel series is certainly worthy of excitement, even though it is still really far down the road. Based on when the final Game of Thrones season is airing in 2019 and the current phase of development, the earliest we imagine the new show coming on the air is 2020. Who knows? It could even be later, but we’re crossing our fingers right now hoping that we won’t have to wait longer than a year between the end of the franchise show and the beginning of the new one.

What we know about the prequel at present is fairly clear: It is set far in the past, and that Jane Goldman is going to be writing the series; A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin is also involved behind the scenes as an executive producer and co-creator. His understanding of the universe is pivotal, and we also think that his new book Fire and Blood may have helped to set up the timeline to some degree.

Speaking via Entertainment Weekly, Martin did make one thing abundantly clear when it comes to the timeframe of the prequel series — it is set 5,000 years in the past. There were some reports out there saying 10,000, but that is not the case. Nonetheless, this is a very different world than what we’ve seen on the flagship show and with that, there are going to be different problems and new stories to explore. By setting the series so far in the past, what HBO is getting the opportunity to effectively do here is create an entirely different world for itself that the present won’t by impacted too much by. (We’ve always said that we would’ve preferred a sequel just because it’s more of a great unknown, but we understanding wanting the events of Game of Thrones to feel reasonably finite, at least for now. This may be the next-best alternative.)

Speaking a little bit more about what is coming up, here is some of what Martin has to say:

“Westeros is a very different place. There’s no King’s Landing. There’s no Iron Throne. There are no Targaryens — Valyria has hardly begun to rise yet with its dragons and the great empire that it built. We’re dealing with a different and older world and hopefully that will be part of the fun of the series.”

There are a few castings that we have already heard about for the show, including Naomi Watts and Poldark alum Josh Whitehouse. We certainly expect more news to be coming within the upcoming weeks.

Related News – Check out some other information on Game of Thrones, including some teases on the final season itself

What do you think about the Game of Thrones prequel series being set so far into the past? Be sure to share right now in the attached comments. (Photo: HBO.)