Game of Thrones prequel has already started filming in Belfast under the tentative title Bloodmoon
GAME Of Thrones fans are nearly at the end of what has been a rollercoaster decade.
But as next week’s final episode draws closer, work has begun on what will fill the void.
I’m told the show’s prequel began filming in Belfast two weeks ago and has the working title Bloodmoon.
The new series, set more than five thousand years before the events of the current series, will follow the story of the Children Of The Forest.
A source said: “Thrones fans will be delighted to hear things have started with the prequel.
“Those working on the set in Belfast are referring to the series as Bloodmoon. Producers have put together a stellar cast and it will be must-watch telly for anyone who loves Game Of Thrones.”
A teaser for the series, which has Naomi Watts in the lead role, said it would reveal the “horrifying secrets of Westeros’s history to the true origin of the White Walkers”.
The big-budget spin-off is being run by writer and producer Jane Goldman, wife of Jonathan Ross.
She has teamed up with Game Of Thrones author George RR Martin, who confirmed last month that none of the characters or actors from this series will be appearing in the prequel since it is set so many years before. He also revealed there are three more prequels planned.
I just hope they don’t milk this cash cow too much.
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ANDY HALLS’
BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Emma’s ticking ’em off
THE BBC’s big new drama, Years And Years, ticks all of the corporation’s diversity boxes in one go.
The six-parter, which starts on BBC1, centres around the Mancunian Lyons family.
Bond actor Rory Kinnear is dad Stephen Lyons, who lives in London with wife Celeste (played by T’Nia Miller) and their two mixed race children – one of whom wants to be “Trans-human” where she downloads her mind and into a computer.
As you do. Stephen also has a disabled younger sister Rosie (Ruth Madeley), and a gay brother Daniel (Russell Tovey), who is about to get married but is cheating with a Ukranian refugee.
The show also stars Emma Thompson as motormouth politician Vivienne Rook, whose controversial opinions divide the nation at a time when the world is on the brink of nuclear war.
Writer Russell T Davis did not have to look far for inspiration for the unsettling character. He said: “There’s a bit of Boris Johnson in there, a bit of Nigel Farage.”
Looks like the impartiality box is the only one the Beeb didn’t tick.
Strictly pros say ‘axe Aleks’
STRICTLY Come Dancing pro dancers are not impressed with the decision to keep talent booker Stefania Aleksander after her post about cocaine.
The Beeb executive, who was responsible for the show’s celebrity line-up, put a snap of a handwritten list of items to take to Ibiza – which included the Class A drug at the end.
Now the dancers have had enough and believe she should be punished for being unprofessional, especially as they are all so careful on social media.
A telly source said: “The dancers think she is a bad example and not helping them clean up the show’s general look.
“Stefania also took the mickey when she had a long, drawn-out, public friendship with shamed comedian Seann Walsh, which came as Katya Jones was punished by not being given a celeb dancer.
“Like the bosses, they are desperate to move the show away from all the scandal and think it would be better if she left.”
Soapbox
IN Emmerdale, Priya urges David to make a decision, a conflicted Moira hides the truth and Aaron tries to reassure Robert.
Elsewhere, Rhona has an awkward reunion.
In EastEnders, Phil apologises to Louise for interfering, Bex panics when Keanu finds her secret stash of pills, and Stacey tries to find Kat a new man.
In Neighbours, the culprit who planted the gas canisters is identified . . . and it turns out to be the same person who put razor blades in the Kennedys’ apricots.
Must watch
WHAT? PTSD: The War In My Head, BBC1, 10.35pm.
WHY? A heartbreaking documentary looking at a trio of British soldiers who died last year as a result of ongoing struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Biz bit
SPENCER Matthews has hinted he and wife Vogue Williams have bagged a second series of E4’s Spencer, Vogue And Baby Too.
Speaking at Centrepoint’s The Big Broth event, he said: “We’re hoping to do more – we really enjoyed it.
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