The end of “Game of Thrones” is near. In April 2019, HBO will begin airing the final 6 episodes of one of the networks biggest hits ever. And in doing so, wrapping up a story that fans have been waiting for years to see. Then, of course, HBO will begin production on the prequel series to take its place, rumored to be titled “The Long Night.” However, according to the prequel’s co-creator George R.R. Martin, “The Long Night” could be very, very different than traditional ‘Thrones.’
READ MORE: HBO Announces Final Season Of ‘Game Of Thrones’ To Premiere In April
Speaking to EW, Martin discussed the new prequel and what makes it different than “Game of Thrones.” The series is said to take place thousands of years before the events of ‘Thrones’ and follow the story of what led to the mysterious Long Night, the “Game of Thrones” equivalent of the Dark Ages.
“… it’s closer to 5,000 years,” said Martin. “But you’re right. Westeros is a very different place. There’s no King’s Landing. There’s no Iron Throne. There are no Targaryens — Valyria has hardly begun to rise yet with its dragons and the great empire that it built. We’re dealing with a different and older world and hopefully that will be part of the fun of the series.”
So, if you’re a fan of Daenerys Targaryen and her pet dragons, you’re out of luck. But then again, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the fantasy elements that have shown up in the later seasons of ‘Thrones’ will be completely removed. But what the time-period of “The Long Night” allows for is the freedom to tell a unique and never-before-seen story in the history of Westeros.
There’s no release date planned for “The Long Night.” However, judging by comments made by HBO execs, it doesn’t appear that the series will debut anytime before 2020.