HBO hires writer for Game of Thrones prequel “10,000 Ships”

HBO is going forward with its network of Game of Thrones prequel series. We know that House of the Dragon, about a brutal Targaryen civil war that happened over 100 years before the original show, is going forward; they’re shooting it as we speak. Now, Deadline reports that HBO has hired Amanda Segel to write the prequel 10,000 Ships.

10,000 Ships is about Princess Nymeria of the Rhoynar. Over 1,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones, she lived with her people on Essos. However, they came into conflict with the Valyrian Freehold, and lost a fight against their air force full of dragons. Nymeria uprooted her people from their home along the banks of the River Rhoyne and led them on a sea journey all the way to Westeros, where they settled in Dorne. Legend has it that Nymeria burned her fleet of 10,000 ships upon landing, a symbolic gesture that confirmed that Dorne was their new home, and that there was no going back.

This is one of the vaguer stories in George R.R. Martin’s mythology, but clearly there’s potential for some good drama. There’s lots of conflict, Nymeria sounds like a formidable character and we would get to see the Valyrians at the height of their power. As for Segel, she’s written on shows like The Good Wife and The Wife, and produced series like Helstrom and Person of Interest.

A Game of Thrones prequel about Princess Nymeria of the Rhoynar is in active development

Although HBO has hired a writer for the show, it doesn’t necessarily mean that 10,000 Ships is happening. After all, the network got all the way to the pilot stage with another prequel, Blood Moon, before cancelling that. The only show we know we’re getting for sure is House of the Dragon; HBO ordered that one straight to series.

That said, HBO has some interesting things in the works. Rome creator Bruno Heller is said to be developing a show called 9 Voyages, about the younger days of Lord Corlys Velaryon, who’s a key character on House of the Dragon. Then there’s a rumored adaptation of Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg series, which has my vote for the show I’m most eager to see happen. There’s also Flea Bottom, a show set in the poorest part of King’s Landing, and an animated series of an undetermined nature. And let’s not forget that there’s a play about the Tourney at Harrenhal coming.

We’re sure to hear more sooner or later. Watch this space.

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