George R.R. Martin is “co-creating” Bryan Cogman’s Game of Thrones prequel

Earlier this week, news broke longtime Game of Thrones staff writer Bryan Cogman would be developing his own Game of Thrones prequel series. That’s in addition to the other four writers already working on prequel shows, bringing the total number currently in development up to five.

Of all the writers involved in these projects, Cogman has the most Thrones experience, and the most face-time with A Song of Ice and Fire creator George R.R. Martin. Martin weighed in on the news on his Not a Blog.

"Bryan Cogman should need no introduction for any GAME OF THRONES fan. He’s been part of the show since the beginning… since before the beginning, actually, since he was first hired as assistant to David Benioff and D.B Weiss way before the series got on the air, before even the pilot had been filmed. From those humble beginnings, he advanced to staff writer, to story editor, to co-producer and producer and supervising producer."

Martin went on to praise Cogman’s work (Cogman wrote episodes such as “Kissed by Fire,” The Laws of Gods and Men,” and “Stormborn”) on the show, noting that Cogman has become the “‘Keeper of the Lore,’ the guy who knew the canon better than anyone (except me, though sometimes I am not even sure of that).” High praise from the man who created the novels on which the series is based.

As for what Cogman’s project will cover, Martin was characteristically short on the details, though he did tease that “Bryan’s series will be an adaptation, and one that will thrill most fans of the books, I think, set during a very exciting period of Westerosi history.” Is there a boring part of Westerosi history?

Martin is involved in all of the prequel projects, which include shows developed by Jane Goldman, Brian Helgeland, Max Borenstein and Carly Wray. However, he admitted that he’ll be working with “some more closely than others.” But by the sound of it, Cogman will be enjoying his full cooperation. “I’ll be working with him every step of the way; we’re going to be co-creating the show.”

Martin did caution that not all five of the prequel projects will make it to air. “[B]ut we could possibly see two or even three make it to the pilot stage, with one series emerging on air in 2019 or 2020.” And that’s his best guess — he stresses that no one knows for sure.

Next: Game of Thrones cinematographer David Franco on shooting the show

Still: take heart, Game of Thrones fans; season 8 might just be the beginning.

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