Game of Thrones prequel play The Mad King announced
It will take place a decade before the original series
Game of Thrones fans will be thrilled to hear that there's yet another spin-off ahead for the folk of Westeros. Following the original series finale in 2019, we've seen House of the Dragon, set about 200 years before Game of Thrones, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, set roughly 100 years before.
However, the upcoming spin-off - which will be set roughly only 10 years before - will not be shown on the screen, but on the stage instead.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) have announced that Game of Thrones: The Mad King will premiere at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire, this summer, and will be executive produced by author George R. R. Martin himself.
What is the plot of the play?
According to adaptor Duncan Macmillan and director Dominic Cooke, the synopsis is as follows: "A long winter has started to thaw and, for the first time in years, all the great houses come together for a tournament – destined to be the greatest of the age. It feels like a new dawn, full of hope and opportunity. But tournaments always have a darker purpose."
Will any original characters be in it?
In an interview with the RSC, George R. R. Martin revealed that the play will show the events that led to the downfall of the Targaryen monarchy - starting with the infamous tournament at Harrenhal in which Prince Rhaegar (married to Elia of Dorne) gave his favour to Ned Stark's sister, Lyanna - betrothed to Robert Baratheon. Jaime Lannister was also admitted into the Kingsguard at the event.
There may be many other familiar names in the play - especially from the houses Targaryen, Stark, Lannister, Baratheon and Martell.
Who has been cast in the play?
We don't know yet but we'll be sure to let you know when it's announced!
What has author George R. R. Martin said about the play?
He said: "When I first wrote Game of Thrones, I never imagined that it would be anything other than a book. It was a place for my imagination to exist without limits. To my great surprise, it was adapted for a series and viewers have been able to enter the world of my imagination through the medium of television.
"For my work to now be adapted for the stage is something I did not expect but welcome with great enthusiasm and excitement. Theatre offers something unique. A place for mine and the audience’s imagination to meet and hopefully create something magical.
"For me, the RSC was the obvious choice when thinking about putting a Game of Thrones story on the stage. Shakespeare is the greatest name in English literature, and his plays have been a constant source of inspiration to me and my writing. Not only that, he faced similar challenges in how to put a battle on stage, so we are in good company.
"It will be thrilling to watch the events of this new play unfold in a live environment. Duncan’s masterful script honours the world completely, and I am so excited for both fans of the series, and perhaps people who have never picked up one of my books, to experience this new story in a theatre."
Scroll through to see where Game of Thrones was filmed in Northern Ireland:
Larrybane Quarry, Larne
The Stormlands
This retired quarry first introduced us to Brienne of Tarth, King Renly and his wife Margery Tyrell in season two.
Fairhead, Ballycastle
Dragonstone
Northern Ireland's tallest cliff face worked perfectly for Dragonstone. Jon Snow finally met Daenerys and her dragons here.
Saintfield, Co. Down
Battle of the Bastards/Battle of Winterfell
Hidden amongst the lush green pastures in the peaceful village of Saintfield, sits two landmark spots - specifically, the battlefields for the Battle of the Bastards and the Battle of Winterfell. Empty aside from a few barns, with a little imagination and a lot of CGI, these fields were once filled with giants and White Walkers.
Sallagh Braes, Antrim
You'll recognise the landscape from season 6, episode 7: The Broken Man, when the Hound was rescued by a band of villagers in the Riverlands after his brutal beating/stabbing by Brienne of Tarth and Arya Stark.
Shillanavoghy Valley, Antrim
Dothraki Sea
Just beneath Slemish Mountain the Khalasar departs Pentos and rides to Vaes Dothrak.
Ballintoy Harbour, Causeway Coast
The Iron Islands
Home to House Greyjoy – Theon Greyjoy returned home to the Iron Islands and this is where we first meet his sister Yara. Ballintoy also featured as the Free Cities where Varys was born.
Tollymore Forest, Newcastle
Throwback to the first season, fans will recognise this woodland where the Nightwalkers were first spotted and also where the Stark kids found the Direwolf pups. Numerous woodland/snowy forest shots were captured here too.
The Dark Hedges, Ballymoney
Kingsroad
A popular tourist attraction even before the Game of Thrones, this spot features as the grandest highway in Westeros. It runs from Castle Black at the Wall all the way south to the capital, King's Landing.
Murlough Bay, Antrim
Slavers' Bay
Davos Seaworth was shipwrecked and later rescued after the Battle of Blackwater Bay here at Murlough. This is also where Tyrion and Jorah come ashore on Slavers' Bay, only to be accosted by slavers
Quintin Bay, Portaferry
Stokeworth
One of the forgotten filming locations, Jamie Lannister tracks down Bronn at Stokeworth here before asking him to travel with him to Dorne.
Mageramorne Quarry, Antrim
Castle Black and Hardhome
This is the backdrop to Castle Black and Hardhome - while the entrances are real, the huge ice wall and snow were of course created digitally.
Binevenagh, Limavady
Dothraki Grasslands
In season five, Daenerys encounters a horde of house warriors here - the vast landscape and towering cliffs made for a menacing backdrop.
Inch Abbey, Downpatrick
Riverlands
Robb Stark's army set up camp here, as they waited at the Trident to cross. He was also crowned 'King of the North' here after the battle in the Whispering Wood.
Cushendun Caves, Antrim
The Stormlands
Fans will recognise the caves where the Red Priestess Melisandre gives birth to the shadow creature which ultimately kills Renly.
Downhill Strand, Castlerock
Dragonstone
Cast and crew transformed Downhill beach into the shores of Dragonstone, where those who defied the Lord Of Light were sacrificed by Lady Melisandre.
Glenariff, Antrim
Runestone
Littlefinger journeys through Glenarrif with Sansa to meet with Lord Royce and watch Robin Arryn training in The Vale.
Cairncastle, Ballygally
The North
The rugged scenery from the ruins of Cairncastle are used a couple of times throughout the show. In the first episode of season 1, Ned Stark beheads a deserter of the Night's Watch. The team returned in season 3 when Jaime Lannister is released from captivity and on the road back to King's Landing. Baelish also travels through the rolling hills with Sansa, on their way to marry Ramsey Bolton.
Quoile River, Downpatrick
River Run
The Riverlands are home to the Tully's and the scenes of Hoster Tully's funeral were shot along the River Quoile.
Portstewart Strand, North Coast
Dorne Coast
With miles of golden sands, Portstewart Strand was the perfect spot to recreate the most southern region of Westeros. Jaime Lannister and Bronn disguised themselves as Martell soldiers amongst the scenic dunes, to rescue Myrcella Baratheon.
Castle Ward, Strangford
Winterfell
One of the most iconic locations in the Seven Kingdoms, the 820-acre walled demesne of Castle Ward, County Down, provided a prime location for House Stark.
Pollnagollum Cave, Fermanagh
Beric Dondarrion's Hideout
Think back to season 3...this is the 'Brotherhood without Banners' secret hideaway.
Audley’s Castle, Downpatrick
Audleys Castle at Strangford Lough was chosen as a filming location for several scenes from season 1 and season 2. It is the backdrop for King Robert Baratheon's arrival at Winterfell in season 1 and Robb's Camp in season 2.
Toome Canal, Lough Neagh
Old Valyrian Canal
In Season 5, disgraced Jorah Mormont takes Tyrion prisoner, throwing him bound and gagged into a stolen boat and setting sail for Meereen.
Leitrim Lodge, Newry
North of Winterfell
Bran and Rickon Stark take refuge at Leitrim Lodge, in the crypts after Theon seizes Winterfell.
Dunluce Castle, Bushmills
Pyke Castle
The ruins of the medieval Dunluce Castle were used for many of the scenes for Pyke Castle - the House of Greyjoy in the Iron Islands.
Titanic Studios, Belfast
It is here that most of the fixed sets and indoor shoots are made and filmed.
Titanic Quarter, Belfast
On occasion, larger sets were constructed outdoors, including Kings Landing in season 8.
Read more:
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Your guide to the Game of Thrones spin-off
9 Game Of Thrones locations you can actually visit
Here's which characters survived in Game of Thrones season 8