Game of Thrones prequel starring Naomi Watts 'cancelled by HBO'

Series was supposed to take place thousands of years prior to 'Game of Thrones'

The Game of Thrones prequel project starring Naomi Watts has reportedly been cancelled by HBO.

According to Deadline, the series’s cast and crew recently learned that the network had decided to pass on the prequel, which is not being picked up for a full series. HBO hasn’t confirmed the news or made an official announcement.

The prequel was meant to be set thousands of years prior to the events depicted in Game of Thrones.

It was commissioned by HBO in June 2018, with Jane Goldman as its showrunner.

George RR Martin, the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire book series, on which Game of Thrones is based, was working with Goldman as the prequel’s co-creator.

HBO had begun teasing the prequel, making cast announcements and revealing plot elements.

A description of the prequel previously released by HBO reads: “Taking place thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, the series 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.”

The Independent has contacted HBO for comment.