Game of Thrones may be over but with the prequel-spinoff filming starting, a new adventure has begun. It’s been quiet of late, but news has started to trickle out of Northern Ireland. So it’s time to shed those post-season glums and dive back into filming-season glee!
Rumors are still flying about the title of the new show- it’s unconfirmed whether the title will really be Bloodmoon, or if that’s a production code name, or if that’s entirely a fan fabrication.
News that’s more firm: Local sources tell us that people have been coming and going to Titanic Studios, but production activity is light overall in the area. The large cliff/wall set that’s been in progress for months on the lot is still being worked on, we’re told.
Actors cast in the spinoff have also been spotted in the country, and have been helpfully sharing it on social media!
Jamie Campbell Bower somewhat vaguely last week shared this fun tease:
Off on a new adventure.
— Jamie Campbell Bower (@Jamiebower) May 29, 2019
This tweet from a NI local person confirms the actor was still in Northern Ireland as of yesterday. Having a sandwich apparently. (What’s the menu like over there? It must be a totally different experience. Do they base sandwich names on UK and Ireland transit?)
just saw Jamie Campbell bower tuckin into a subway in a service station in ballymena
— lady lambrini (@pure_m0rnin) June 2, 2019
Two of the spinoff actors- Alex Sharp and Marquis Rodriguez– were hanging out together this week in Northern Ireland and checking out the sights, including the country’s famed hedge maze and the Giant’s Causeway. The two shared images of the sights on Instagram, including shots on Instagram stories.
View this post on Instagram
And it seems like Josh Whitehouse may also be in Northern Ireland judging by this pic:
Update to add: Alex Sharp shared this image of the Titanic Studios lot on Instagram about an hour ago, shortly after we published this post:
Annnnd another update- Georgie Henley has just posted an Instagram story from Belfast’s Victoria Square:
This early in the game, it’s hard to tell exactly what’s happening, but often readings and costume fittings are happening long before filming actually starts. But June was the officially stated filming start date given by HBO so we’re right on track! We should see a lot more sightings over the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled.
Jaime Campbell Bower looks like a Stark in that picture, don’t know why I get a Stark Vibe of him.
I reeeally hope that’s not the title. Too Hollywood.
Raenarys,
GoT always has a production title they put at the top of their scripts and call sheets that’s fake, a code/placeholder name, so my thought was maybe that was it- but it’s hard to say without talking to the person who started the rumor.
And Alex Sharp looks like he could be a Bolton ancestor, based on that one shot. Kinda depressing to think of House Bolton having been around for millennia, but I suppose they are of the First Men. Maybe we’ll get the backstory of what ancient grudge turned them so awful.
Sue the Fury,
Right I get that. I just can’t help but think of Twilight or something of the sort when I hear it lol.
JCB looks like a Greyjoy more than a Stark IMO.
The most interesting question i have at this point is what is it going to look like. None of the armor or architecture or costumes should look like GOT except the wildlings and Children of the Forest. So is this a Bronze Age look or what?
I’m so excited already! 🤸🏼♀️
Raenarys,
He has a strong resemblance to Alfie Allen for sure.
I really hope it’s to do with the bloodstone emperor. A dark sorcerer who consumed human flesh and married a tiger woman, he also could raise the dead and worshipped a dark obelisk that fell from the sky.
They did say we would explore the mysteries of the east, this dude would fit that and would be a very explosive and stand out villain instantly.
That would be some interesting material. Many might be too focused on the local Westerosi legends of the Long Night and thinking that’s the extent that they’re wanting to explore with this prequel. We might have enough clues already to indicate that their scope could be quite a bit more broad. Either way I’m excited to get back into it and hope they can get a quick green light for series. The sooner they get that the better!
It’s so ironic how Jamie Campbell Bower was Waymar in the original GOT pilot and now he is in the spinoff pilot, hopefully if it gets picked up to series he remains in the role this time, although it’s understandable why he chose to go with Camelot at the time, he was only a minor role who got killed off in the first scene in GOT versus actually being the main character, nobody knew how successful GOT is actually going to be at that time .
I wonder if they’ll pull a Ned Stark and one of the top-billed cast members, Naomi Watts, will die in the penultimate episode of the first season 😂 Either way, I’m still going through withdrawals to properly be excited for the successor show.
it’s unconfirmed whether the title will really be Bloodmoon, or if that’s a production code name, or if that’s entirely a fan fabrication.
I did notice during The Last Watch that the show title on the cast’s scripts during the table read was titled “The Faith of Angels.” I guess Bloodmoon can also be a production code name.
[EDIT]: P.s. If anyone else needs a show to attach themselves to, I started watching Chernobyl, which is AMAZING! And Nina Gold is yet again one of 2 casting directors so there are few familiar faces: Maester Luwin, Nora (King’s Landing mother from S8), Jeor Mormont, Dagmer Cleftjaw, and Pypp.
Dark Sister,
Chernobyl has been incredible. Nice to see those familiar GOT actors!
I am loving Joe Dempsie in Deep State. And Owen Teale (Ser Alliser Throne) just
popped up today in episode 5 of season 2 when I watched!! I felt right at home!
Thank so much Sue for your sneak peak on what’s up with the Prequel (yet to be named for sure). The stories of the bloodstone emperor sound really interesting if they go that route.
I doubt they’ve even decided on a title yet. Working name to put on boxes and scripts needs to be something.
BeardedOnion,
That sounds interesting! I’d be into learning about that.
Just added another pair of images- Alex Sharp posted again on Instagram, this time showing the Titanic Studios lot with an H&W crane.
edit: annnnd now Georgie Henley in Belfast. Ha. When it rains, it pours.
I’ve been hearing such good things about Chernobyl, I need to get on the train!
It’s decent. It feels a bit like they’re stretching it out a little bit to even get the five episodes but it is worth watching.
I don’t know if I can handle Chernobyl. Too depressing. But I’m enjoying our dear Good-Meat-for-the-Dogs Myranda (Charlotte Hope) as The Spanish Princess!
I’m really enjoying both Chernobyl and The Spanish Princess. Charlotte has been great.
As for the prequel/spinoff, I hope JCB is better in this compared to The Last Kingdom. I found him pretty awful in that.
*Regbo not JCB.
Do we know if Ramin Djawadi is doing the music? Or how many of the same production people are involved?
Clob,
The hosts of a podcast I listen to are always saying how great it is. And now you all are telling me GoT actors are it… So I think that’s all I need to know 😉
Bit of insider info that’s secretly between us but they’ve been filming up the north coast & Carnlough direction all last week 😁
Dark Sister,
Yes, Chernobyl is AMAIZING. Maybe, it fails to capture the atmosphere exactly (I still remember everything too well, including how the radiation hit and reading Legasov’s secret report in 1988 at the age of 14), but the fundamental theme about the cost of lies and how at some point certain people decided not to lie any longer is captured and revealed extremely well. Kudos to Craig Mazin, savior of the GoT pilot! The only dissapointment is that he couldn’t save the finale, but Chernobyl was worth it. Can’t wait for the last pisode.
Hodor,
That makes sense based on the Jamie sighting and this: http://watchersonthewall.com/new-game-thrones-prequel-set/
Thanks!
Roberta Baratheon,
Why do you find the story of Chernobyl depressing? Yes, shit happens, especially on the bloodlands of the Easter Europe, but in general it’s not a story of one man (chef-liqudator Valery Legasov) who made a stand against the lies and told those big truths that broke the Soviet Union. And it doesn’t matter that he had to die for it: everyone dies, but he was given a chance to make the world a better place and used it. So, compared to GOT, Chernobyl is much brighter and inspirational. I do recommend to watch it.
Yep, its good. I’ve been watching that series also. I saw that Donald Sumpter (Maester Luwin) was in it, but didn’t notice or recognise the other GoT actors you mention. Its on later in the early hours of tomorrow morning (UK time) so see if I can spot them.
Another series I found, this time on the Sci-Fi channel, was ‘Project Bluebook’. Was amusing to see the main character – Dr J. Allen Hynek is played by Aiden Gillen (aka. Lord Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish).
Looks like many of these ex GoT actors are getting plumb roles in other films and TV productions. Best of luck to them 🙂
Anybody slam trough Good Omens yet? I just started last night. Pretty good so far 🙂
There was an offhand line in the first episode I couldn’t help but think was directed to GoT/ something about the apocalypse aiming to be a cinematic spectacle being shown in as many countries as possible…
James Cosmo was one of the miners that had a couple lines.
Ralph Ineson was a Russian general
Josef Altin was one of the soldiers – probably least noticeable
Inga,
Haven’t had time to start watching Chernobyl yet, but am in the middle of reading the recently released book “Midnight in Chernobyl”. Very, very interesting; I highly recommend it. I was in my early teens when the accident happened, so it’s really cool to learn more about it as well as how dysfunctional things were in the USSR.
I love the approach they took to this, hiring a bunch of great writers to write pilots and picking the best idea.
I love that Jane Goldman won out in the end as I’m a huge fan of hers and Matthew Vaughn’s collaborations.
I love that George is working closely with Jane.
I love that they cast Naomi Watts as the lead.
I love what Casey Bloys has to say about HBO’s approach to the spin offs.
Now I don’t want to hear any negativity from you guys on this, ya hear?
Fienix,
Thank you, I’ll try to find it. But to me it’s a very personal story, and it’s more liek a story of reaction to catastrophy and the committment to do something to prevent things like that from happning again. And although my part was very minor I still had it in the war aginst the lies (and I won:)
Sue, Do we know anything about if the pilot will get a get-go, how long the seasons of this spinn-off will be. Same as GoT? 10? Or maybe 12?
What do you think we can expect?
Dark Sister,
Don’t know if this is a real spoiler so I post in in spoiler tags. But if I’m not wrong an actor or actress on the show stated something about his or her character.
Inga,
You we’re there? :O Or do I understand it wrong? (Want to know you’re story :D)
kevin1989,
Typo with the name in spoiler tag:
Kevin1989,
I was about to ask… Meryl Streep??
As for the actual actress/character, that is something specific but vague that was mentioned within the casting notice:
https://watchersonthewall.com/naomi-watts-has-signed-on-for-jane-goldmans-game-of-thrones-prequel/
Clob,
Thanks for the info. The series will probably be repeated and if so I’ll look for the characters you mention. I believe tonight is the final episode so doubt if they’ll appear in that one. Perhaps Donald Sumpter will as he’s appeared in most (if not all) so far.
Donald Sumpter and Michael McElhatton are also in it.
Sister Kisser,
I doubt it, the show was filmed way before the final season of GOT even aired and i don’t see how that can be related to GOT in any way, it was just a social commentary on how humans enjoy seeing carnage and despair at all times .
kevin1989,
I doubt it’s going to be 12, HBO hasn’t been doing shows that are longer than 10 episodes in a long time,in fact nowadays seems 8 episodes at most is the standard . Less money to spread on multiple episodes and also less issues with having actors sign on a project .
Jack Nabble,
I am not suggesting it was commentary on season 8 in particular- just the concept of showing the apocalyspe as a “cinematic television show” to be seen in as many countries around the world as possible- seemed to me a reference to Thrones. I think the line, though subtle, left plenty of room for nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Given Gaiman and Martin’s relationship- I wouldn’t put it past him. Also, it really is crazy how vast GoT has reached- more so than any other “cinematic” tv show- and I have also seen it argued that asoiaf has apocalyptic/ragnarok-ish undertones.
JCB’s performance in Camelot kinda makes me wish he would be cut (again) from the pilot if the spin-off got picked up. Then again, the performances by Joseph Fienes and Eva Green (to name but two) were equally cringe-worthy, so maybe that was mainly due to that show itself…
Coolness; hopefully this’ll go well and be great. “Bloodmoon” is probably just a placeholder or codename. I look forward to a properly long night, and I reeeeally want the Valyrian/Essosian prequel next. :-33
Am I the only one who can’t see anything in those instagram photos from the titanic lot? 😋
Loving that we’re getting some new scoops though to whet our appetites!
Inga,
Vie ste dobre doshul! (Bulgarian, but I hope it’s similar to Ukrainian.) 🙂
Indeed… No Donald Sumpter in tonight’s final episode, but instantly recognized Michael McElhatton (aka Roose Bolton) as the prosecutor in the court for those three held responsible for the meltdown.
Black Raven,
Love me some Michael McElhatton. And Iwan Rheon, for that matter.
I swear I was one of the people in the world who was genuinely sad to lose Roose and Ramsay, because those two were amazingly on point.
Fienix,
I’m not from Ukraine: I’m from Lithuania:) Our input was forcing the government to close the Ignalina power plant (the twin of Chernobyl where they actually filmed the series). Massive protests against its expansion erruptd like in a month after Legasov’s suicide (rumor’s about his secret report and its bits spread swiftly) and those protests became an integral part of our independence movement. So, Legasov didn’t die for nothing, not at all.
Hodor,
Thanks!
kevin1989,
Thank you for your interest. No, I wasn’t “there” in terms of Chernobyl or anywhere near: I got my dose of radiation hundreds kilometers away, in Riga (Latvia). My mother took me on a tour there that weekend (due to the 1st of May we had like a short vacation), and naturally we spent that Sunday when the radioactive cloud was passing though Latvia in an open and when the night came we thought we both were gonna die. My mother felt especially bad, and I even couldn’t call a ambulance, because there was no telephone at the place we stayed. But somehow we made it till the morning, crawled to the station, made it home to Vilnius and only then our relatives who were listening to the Voice of America told us that there was an accident in Chernobyl and a massive radiation leak. And the realisation was horrible especially due to the fact that several months earlier the Soviet propogandists showed us a Japanese anime about Hiroshima focused on the effects of radiation. Sure, they wanted to make the point about the bloody Americans to the kids, and afterwards we even had a massive “civil defence” training at school: we got all those instructions what to do and where to go in case of the nuclear war – no-one took it seriously, but we all learned that there were evacuation plans and bomb shelters (there was one even in the building block I lived). Nevertheless, when the real nuclear accident happened, none of those were used: the shelters remained locked and people including kids were send to the 1st of May demonstration instead. So… we drank iodic solution and wine, listened to the stories of the “liquadators”, made jokes… “Field is ploughed by peaceful tractor,/Cross the river burns reactor./Hei, reactor, burn away,/Tomorrow is the 1st of May!” – this was carved on my school desk by someone and the “partorg” of our school made an investigation, but failed to identefy the culprit or replace the desk (school desks were “a deficit”):D. So, by the summer of 1987 the tide began to turn. And here in Lithuania we had the Ignalina power plant, the twin of Chernobyl (where the series were filmed). Right at that period, the power plant was in the process of extention: they were building the 4th reactor block. And there were rumors (true), that there had already been accidents alike Chernobyl, although not on such a scale. So, by the early 1988 a massive environmental movement began to form demanding the closure of the Ignalina 4th block; it’s worth to mention that often physicists were people who chose natural sciences to escape ideological compromising: that’s why they were among the first who chose to speak the truth against all odds. And when the news about Legasov’s suicide spread along with some extracts from his tapes, it was one of the last straws. Our independence movement was officially established in a month; closing the Ignalina power plant became one of the key demands, and one of the first mass rallies also happened there. It was quite risky, because the local town of the powerplant workers was inhabited exclusively by Russians (Lithuanians were not allowed to work in the strategic industries), and when we were going there on the rally we were getting serious warnings that those Russians would be sent to beat us. But they chose not to, and we had a lot of nice discussions on the sreets, and we kind of made a pact – common Lithuanians with the common Russians – that we would do our best not to harm them, and they would do their best not to harm us. And the promise was kept: in 1991 those people also refused to take part in the bloodshed (the Soviets had to bring the army into the streets, though that didn’t work either). So, you see: the idea that there’s a beast in every man (or woman) GRRM wants to prove is simply false. People are perfectly capable of handling there inner beasts and taking personal responsibility for their actions. I know it sounds pathetic, but this was one of those simple truths Chernobyl taught me and I don’t regret even though the price of elecricity has increased considerably since we’ve closed our power plant and it affect my bank account on daily basis:D.
Sorry, for the off-topic, just couldn’t help:D.
Agreed, Chernobyl is a stand up mini series worth watching. Those who sought out the truth of the disaster and made it known to the world knowing they would pay the ultimate price so we would all be safer get a rousing hazzaa!!
Oddly, I remember watching Aiden Gillen in the HBO TV series “The Wire” that ran from 2002-2008. In it he played the same type of manipulative, political, underachiever as his character “Littlefinger” in GOT.
With GOT being just a couple of weeks gone, it really feels too early, IMO, to be panting about the prequel. Insufficient mourning time has lapsed for me to feel overly enthusiastic about it.
Inga,
wow, luckily you survived. That also made it clear how dangerous nuclear plants are, with how far the radiation travels.
And true, better pay more and be safe.
I’ve lurked here a few times recently though haven’t commented since the end of the main show as I felt very dispirited regarding all the negativity at the end of GoT.*
I can be a sucker for dramas with a historical background (provided they don’t stray too far from true history) I tried Will but it wasn’t my cuppa. I did think JCB acquitted himself well as Kit Marlowe with what he was given though.
I thought I was alone in not finding EG the greatest French actress since Sarah Bernhardt. I don’t hate her. Camelotwas a dodgy show though as you say and Penny Dreadful wasn’t for me either.
*I’m not denying anyone an opinion and I have commented a couple of times on the forums (for a?) recently
Sister Kisser,
that was a line straight from the book; interesting that GMMR used it, Loving the show, Lines I remember from the book sound just how Id imaging them on screen. Fun!
Inga,
wow, what a harrowing time for you.. I remember those massive demonstrations I was living in Salt Lake at the time (not quite the bastion of liberalis it is today) and we had thousands of protesters in the streets. Very scary time. (refresh my memory, was 3 mile island before or after. i just remember watching China Syndrome just after it happened, and everyone was shocked bout how similar everything was).
Indeed.
ash,
Oh cool. I am excited to read the book/ one of the few Gaiman works I haven’t read yet. Thought I would get to it before the show premiered, but it was not to be.
Glad to hear you that as a book reader, you are enjoying the show.
Inga,
Thank you for sharing your story here, Inga. I am glad you made it, and I feel terrible for what you experienced as a child.
I tend to agree- humans have this great gift of reflection. We can always choose how we want to treat others, regardless of the state of our immediate circumstances.
Sister Kisser,
I read it when it first came out, and it was what turned me on to Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. i reread it often its so delightful. Also got to have my copy signed by both authors when they came to town. So yeah, I like it lots.
ash,
Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania happened several years before Chernobyl, IIRC. There had been many smaller accidents throughout the USSR, but they covered them up not only to keep the truth from their own people, but so they could brag to the world that they didn’t have accidents like that.
Well I’ve gone from unsure to mildly intrigued about the prequel which is a good sign I suppose. The rumoured title sounds a little meh though.
By the way if anyone is suffering from Thrones withdrawal then check out Chernobyl on Sky/HBO you will see a lot of familiar faces!
Haha I had the exact same reaction!
Bloodmoon is strictly a production title. Similar to how Bond 25’s is “Eclipse” or GoTG 3’s is “Hot Christmas”: https://www.productionweekly.com/production-weekly-issue-1136-thursday-march-21-2019-155-listings-34-pages/
A bunch of random blogs read it on a production site and ran with it. There is a reason why no actual reputable Hollywood trade site (Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter etc.) has posted that title.
The title is “The Long Night”. HBO has trademarked it https://trademarks.justia.com/882/22/the-long-88222952.html