Game of Thrones prequel star speaks out about cancellation

Last week, Game of Thrones fans learned to their shock that Bloodmoon, a prequel series set thousands of years before the main show, had been cancelled. “After careful consideration, we have decided not to move forward to series with the Untitled Game of Thrones prequel,” the network said. “We thank [showrunner] Jane Goldman, [director] S.J. Clarkson, and the talented cast and crew for all of their hard work and dedication.”

Ready to stem the tide of disappointment, HBO immediately announced that it ordered another Game of Thrones prequel show — House of the Dragon, all about the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons — straight to series. That was very smart, because pretty soon it was all anyone was talking about.

But rumors persisted about what exactly happened on Bloodmoon, which was the title everyone seemed to be using even though technically the project never had a name. I mean, the show had a pilot and a big cast and everything. It had people like Naomi Watts and Miranda Richardson in key roles. Was the production “troubled” from the start, as some reports suggest?

Perhaps some of the cast members can shed some light on these questions. Speaking to Metro about her reaction to the cancellation news, star Naomi Ackie “made a raspberry” (made that “pffffwwwt” sound with her lips) and gave a thumbs down. “Can you put that in [the article]?” she joked. Yes we can.

"This stuff happens…Things get put down. I’m just really excited about what is out there for me now. That was a great project, it didn’t work out. I’m ready to look for more stuff. [I’m] taking it in my stride. This industry will throw you about left, right and center so you’ve got to take it in your stride!"

Ackie’s comments remind me a little of George R.R. Martin’s comments on the cancellation; both of them talk about how, for better or worse, cancelled pilots are a pretty regular thing in Hollywood. Of course, most pilots don’t have this level of scrutiny on them. Either way, it’s a disappointment.

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Again, it’s a good thing HBO was ready with that House of the Dragon announcement. As for Ackie, she has a role as the Resistance fighter Jannah in the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, so she’ll be juuuuuuust fine.

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h/t Deadline