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| Naomi Watts was cast in the "Game of Thrones" prequel pilot "The Long Night." File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI |
By Annie Martin, UPI
Naomi Watts will have a starring role in the Game of Thrones prequel.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the 50-year-old British actress was cast in the new HBO pilot from Jane Goldman and George R.R. Martin. Game of Thrones is based on Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire book series.
The new show was the first of several potential "successor series" to be picked up to pilot. It is set thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, with Watts playing a charismatic socialite with a dark secret.
Martin confirmed Watts' casting in a blog post Tuesday. He said the new series will be titled The Long Night.
"Casting is now underway for The Long Night, the first of the Game of Thrones successor series to ordered to film," the author wrote. "HBO has just announced the first cast member: Naomi Watts is coming on board as one of our stars."
Deadline said Goldman will serve as showrunner and co-executive produce with Martin, Vince Gerardis and Daniel Zelman. It previously reported the prequel will begin filming in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in October.
Game of Thrones will return for an eighth and final season in 2019. The series stars Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Lena Headey, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams and Peter Dinklage.
Watts is known for such films as Mulholland Drive, The Ring and Eastern Promises. She also starred in the Twin Peaks revival and the Netflix series Gypsy.
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