Under the tentative title of Bloodmoon, the prequel to Game of Thrones is under higher security than the release date of The Last of Us Part 2, but that hasn’t stopped the internet getting a little sneak peek at the upcoming series.
With Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss out (to the joy of some), it’s up to Kingsman writer Jane Goldman to chart a new era of history. So far, we know the diverse cast is made up of the Oscar-nominated Naomi Harris, Poldark‘s Josh Whitehouse, and Harry Potter‘s Miranda Richardson.
Filming on the pilot episode has just wrapped, meaning we’re edging closer to Bloodmoon‘s hopeful 2020 release. A leaked photo from the top-secret set in Italy sees Watts in a dazzling golden outfit. Filmed at Grotta del Turco, the-50-year-old definitely looks the part and is sure to shimmer on our screens.
#new ?| Naomi Watts on the set of #GameOfThrones prequel "Bloodmoon"
— naomi watts source (@nwattsource) July 14, 2019
(shared by kiaruzz91_ on Instagram) pic.twitter.com/jChfMQV5BM
Although the bulk of filming took place in the familiar location of Northern Ireland, Bloodmoonhas also taken a trip to sunnier climes. A series of tweets confirm security was tight at Grotta del Turco. There are reports of an armada of boats trying to keep spying eyes away from the set.
So far, there isn’t much to go on, but we do Watts will be playing “a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret”. Her blonde hair would’ve made her a likely candidate to play a Lannister heiress, but it’s already been confirmed the famous lions aren’t around during Bloodmoon‘s timeline.
Instead, some think Watts could be Nissa Nissa — the doomed lover of Azor Ahai. Although the whole Lord of Light prophecy was awkwardly sidelined in Thrones‘ controversial final season, the legendary hero got plenty of mentions in the show’s eight-season run.
Hopefully, Bloodmoon can fix this and give Azor Ahai the story he deserves. Speaking about her leading role of the fantasy epic, Watts told net-a-porter how she’s feeling nervous about stepping into the wild world of Westeros.
‘I still have fears about [the show], she admitted. “I don’t really know what to prepare for…I didn’t start watching until I was approached about this job.”
“But my brother [photographer Ben Watts], who is heavily into it, told me ‘Under no circumstances are you going to turn this down.’” Watts revealed how she binge-watched the entirety of Benioff and Weiss’ series to prepare for Bloodmoon.
The synopsis for the show confirms Bloodmoon “chronicles the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour.
“From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’s history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend, only one thing is for sure: it’s not the story we think we know.”
Find out more (hopefully) as Bloodmoon continues to keep Game of Thrones fans guessing.
Featured Image Credit: HBO