Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp, and Toby Regbo have all joined the pilot in series regular roles. They join previously announced cast members Naomi Watts and Josh Whitehouse.
SJ Clarkson has signed on to direct the pilot in addition to serving as an executive producer. Clarkson was most recently selected to direct the next film in the rebooted ‘Star Trek’ franchise. She also recently executive produced and directed the limited series ‘Collateral’ for BBC and Netflix. Her other directing credits include: the Marvel-Netflix shows ‘The Defenders’ and ‘Jessica Jones,’ the Netflix series ‘Orange Is the New Black,’ HBO’s ‘Vinyl’ and ‘Succession,’ and Showtime’s ‘Dexter.’
The drama is set thousands of years before the events of the HBO flagship. The story chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. A logline from the network teases the plot: “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.”
The show, formerly known as ‘The Long Night,’ is created by Jane Goldman and A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin. The pilot, which was picked up by HBO in June, is based on a story from Goldman and Martin, with the teleplay credited to Goldman. She also will serve as showrunner.
Additional casting on the Game of Thrones prequel is expected to be announced later.
The newly added cast members in detail:
• Naomi Ackie – ‘Doctor Who,’ ‘Yardie,’ and JJ Abrams’ ‘Star Wars: Episode IX.’
• Denise Gough – ‘Guerilla’, ‘Colette,’ and Joe Cornish’s ‘The Kid Who Would Be King.’
• Jamie Campbell Bower – ‘Twilight,’ ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ and Tim Burton’s ‘Sweeney Todd.’
• Sheila Atim – Various stage work and Hulu’s ‘Harlots.’
• Ivanno Jeremiah – ‘Humans,’ ‘The Flood’ and Netflix’s ‘Black Mirror.’
• Georgie Henley – All three ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ films and Starz’s ‘The Spanish Princess.’
• Alex Sharp – ‘To the Bone’ and upcoming film ‘The Hustle.’
• Toby Regbo – ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ and Netflix’s ‘The Last Kingdom.’
Source: Variety and The Hollywood Reporter