LOS ANGELES: Fans of “Game of Thrones” could be treated to a prequel series set thousands of years before the hit fantasy saga, network HBO announced.
According to a statement released to US media Friday, HBO has ordered a pilot episode of the spinoff — one of five such projects in the works — created by the author of the original book series George R.R. Martin along with British screenwriter Jane Goldman.
The statement added that the prequel, if picked up, will give viewers the chance to see “the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour.”
No “Game of Thrones” spinoffs, however, will be broadcast until after the much-anticipated eighth and final season of the phenomenally popular show, expected in 2019.
Martin has said that fans should not expect to see any of the current cast involved in those projects, according to entertainment website Variety.
HBO’s most-watched original program, “Game of Thrones” has already scooped up a record 38 Emmy Awards.
HBO orders ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff pilot
HBO orders ‘Game of Thrones’ spinoff pilot
- HBO has ordered a pilot episode of the “Game of Thrones” spinoff
- The prequel series is set thousands of years before the hit fantasy saga
Mini op-ed: We need a ‘potluck’ culture of reading
DUBAI: The number of times we hear, “My kids don’t read,” “I don’t have the time,” or “Do people even read anymore?” is alarming.
With newspapers declared dead and YouTube summaries or ChatGPT reviews becoming the main course of words, I often wonder: have those asking these questions considered the role they play?
Each of us — school representatives, librarians, parents, educators, children, and even occasional readers — must ask whether we are helping create a culture where reaching for a book feels as natural as reaching for a smartphone.
Even the smallest effort counts. I think of a reading culture as a potluck where everyone brings something small, and together it becomes a wholesome meal. If you do not know where to begin, look around.
The UAE is rich in public libraries including in Sharjah and Dubai, such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, which is proof that access is not the issue.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is embedding reading into its national identity under Vision 2030 through digital libraries, major book fairs, and daily school reading.
Not a reader? Events such as the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature or the Sharjah International Book Fair offer easy entry points for conversation, community and curiosity.
They are built on cultural blocks that subtly encourage even non-readers into reading spaces. You could even start a reading club. I run one in Dubai called The Reading Village and have seen its quiet magic.
Culture is built by saying yes. And no to pirated PDFs on WhatsApp, as well as unchecked screen habits.
Tiny habits can help build an environment where reading becomes as much a part of our lives as scrolling on Netflix to decide what to binge-watch next.
Purva Grover is an author, poet, playwright, stage director, TEDx speaker, and creative entrepreneur. She is the founder of The Reading Village, a Dubai-based community.
