HBO has announced the cast of the Game of Thrones prequel series with Naomi Ackie, a Black British actress, nabbing the lead role, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The news comes more than one year after Stars Wars actor John Boyega criticized the series for its lack of Black actors in his July 2017 GQ cover story.
“There are no black people on Game of Thrones,” Boyega said.
Ackie, who is relatively unknown in the United States, appeared in Idris Elba’s feature directorial debut, Yardie. She will next appear in J.J. Abrams’ Stars Wars: Episode IX, which will be released in December.
Other rising stars cast as reoccurring characters in the Game of Thrones prequel include Sheila Atim (Harlots), Jamie Campbell Bower (Mortal Instruments), Denise Gough (Guerilla), Georgie Henley (The Chronicles of Narnia), Iyanno Jeremiah (Black Mirror), Toby Regbo (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) and Alex Sharp (To The Bone).
In addition, HBO has selected female director S.J. Clarkson to produce and direct the show’s pilot.
The character details for the prequel are being kept under wraps. The drama will reportedly take place thousands of years before the evens of the HBO flagship.
According to a logline from the premium channel, “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 to the Starks of legend – it’s not the story we think we know.
The final season of Game of Thrones premieres on HBO in April.
