'House of the Dragon': Game of Thrones prequel series announced

A Game Of Thrones prequel series has been announced and will feature on HBO's upcoming streaming service, the US cable network has said.

The spin-off, titled House Of The Dragon, will focus on the House of Targaryen, made famous in Game of Thrones by Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys and her fearsome dragons.

The new fantasy show will be set around 300 years before events in the original series, which ended earlier this year after a record-breaking eight seasons.

It's also co-created by George RR Martin, whose books the original series is based on.

British actress Clarke won critical acclaim for the fan-favourite role of Daenerys Targaryen in eight seasons of Game Of Thrones.

Emilia Clarke plays Daenarys Targaryen in Game of Thrones. Credit: HBO

House Of The Dragon was announced at an event in Los Angeles, where further details about streaming service HBO Max were revealed.

Ryan Condal, who co-created the prequel with Martin, will serve as executive producer, alongside Miguel Sapochnik.

It will launch in the US in May 2020 and will cost $14.99, around £11.65, per month.

There is no word on a UK release, where Game Of Thrones aired on Sky Atlantic.

The reveal came hours after reports surfaced in the US claiming a previously announced Game Of Thrones prequel, starring British actress Naomi Watts, had been cancelled after its pilot episode was poorly received by executives.

Naomi Watts was the biggest name linked to the previous prequel. Credit: PA

Executive producer Jane Goldman emailed cast members with the news that it was cancelled, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Watts, Oscar-nominated for her roles in 2003 neo-noir film 21 Grams and 2012 disaster film The Impossible, was set to star in the show.

The prequel was set about 5,000 years before the events featured in the original Game Of Thrones.

Speaking when the spin-off was announced, HBO said it would feature "the world's descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour".