If you didn’t know already, there’s a Game of Thrones prequel in the works based on the George RR Martin book ‘Fire and Blood’, which is set 300 years before the events of the series that we all love and hate.

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There’s no word on any release date yet, but what we do know already is that Paddy Constantine (Dead Man’s Shoes, Peaky Blinders) has been cast as Viserys Targaryen:

According to The Hollywood Reporter, we now have three additional roles confirmed, with Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One), Emma D’Arcy(Wanderlust) and Matt Smith (The Crown, Dr. Who) all locked in for the show.

Here’s a description of their roles straight from the source:

Olivia Cooke will play Alicent Hightower, who is described by HBO as “the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.”

Emma D’Arcy is set as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, described as “the king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything … but she was not born a man.”

Matt Smith will portray Prince Daemon Targaryen, who is the “younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne.  A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon.  But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air.”

I know Matt Smith and Oliva Cooke’s stuff pretty well but not as familiar with Emma D’Arcy’s work. One thing we can say about all three of them is that they have a very Game of Thrones-style look about them, so it feels like good casting IMO.

The show will chronicle the rule and history of the Targaryans from the beginning, and will hopefully bring some of the storytelling and character magic that made the original series so great (before the ending pissed everyone off, that is). They’ve got quite a job on their hands winning back the trust of everyone who stuck with Game of Thrones until the end, so hopefully they don’t muck it up. Either way – I for one am ready to be hurt again.

Never forget:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGXIaPZzOw&feature=emb_logo

For the time The Night King actor wished Game of Thrones ended with the White Walkers slaughtering everybody, click HERE. You and me both pal.