HBO are developing another three 'Game of Thrones' spin-offs

HBO are currently working on a trio of prequels of 'game of Thrones' which will all be set before the events depicted in the fantasy drama series - which ended in 2019 after eight seasons - and will tell the stories of characters who played vital roles in the history of the world explored by George R.R. Martin in his novels.

Two of the projects, which have the working titles '10,000 Ships' and 'Flea Bottom', are in the early stage of development and don't yet have writers or showrunners attached.

More progress has been made on the third spin-off, '9 Voyages', which is being developed by 'Rome' co-creator Bruno Heller and will focus on nautical adventurer Lord Corlys Velaryon aka The Sea Snake.

Lord Corlys will also appear in the previously-announced prequel 'House of the Dragon', in which he will be played by Steve Toussaint, though it is unclear if the actor will also star in '9 Voyages' or if there is any crossover planned between the two projects.

'House of the Dragon' will also see Rhys Ifans play Ser Otto Hightower, the loyal Hand of the King, while Eve Best has signed up for the role of Corlys' wife, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, a dragonrider dubbed 'The Queen Who Never Was' because she was passed over as heir to the throne because the realm favoured her male cousin, King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine).

In addition, Sonoya Mizuno will portray slave Mysaria who rises to become the most trusted and unexpected ally to Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).

The 10-episode show - which is expected to launch in 2022 - will tell the story of House Targaryen and is set a few hundred years before the events depicted in 'Game of Thrones'.

Fans of writer George R.R. Martin will be aware that Viserys ruled Westeros around 100 years after Aegon's Conquest. His two children, Rhaenys and Aegon II, went on to fight a civil war over the throne that was famously known as the Dance of Dragons.

'House of the Dragon' is based on the author's companion book 'Fire & Blood' and HBO ordered it straight-to-series.

'Game of Thrones' regular Miguel Sapochnik is set to direct the pilot and additional episodes and he will act as showrunner alongside Ryan Condal, who created the upcoming show with Martin.

This article was first published on BANG Showbiz and is republished here with permission.