Winter is here, well not the winter we have been waiting for. HBO first announced the idea of expanding the ‘Game of Thrones’ universe May of 2017. With new creators, Max Borenstein, Brian Helgeland, Carly Wray, Jane Goldman, and Bryan Cogman. But don’t worry, David Benioff and Dan Weiss will serve as hands to the throne, I mean executive producers. Also, George R.R. Martin will still have a say in how his fantasy franchise will play out in the –successors shows.

The untitled series takes place a thousand years before the events ‘Game of Thrones.’ Following the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hours. HBO teases “Only one thing is for sure: From the horrifying secrets of Westeros’ history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East of Starks of legend –it’s not the story we think we know.”

Placing the timeline of the prequel around a period in Westeros known as “The Long Night.” The Long Night as we know was an impossibly long winter in which men waged their first war against the White Walkers. Now as for the “Age of Heroes,” referring to an era from which several mythological figures hail: Bran the Builder, and Lann the Clever perhaps? Their bloodlines are credited as the forefathers of the Stark and Lannister lines. Bran is best known for building the great Wall of Westeros.

HBO has set the production of the pilot episode for early 2019. Confirmed cast members include: Naomi Watts as a charismatic socialite with dark secrets, Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jaime Campbell Bower, Shelia Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp, and Toby Regbo.

As far as key regions that the prequel will take place based on casting. The ‘Game of Thrones’ successor could spend time in the Summer Islands, Valyria, Sothoryos, Slavers Bay, Volantis, Lys, Esos and Ghiscar.