HBO announces cast and director for 'Game of Thrones' spin-off

Game of Thrones began in 2011 and quickly brought the TV world to a halt as many shows began to pay attention to the fantasy epic genre.

With just six episodes left of the series before its end, HBO producers are working hard on bringing the next series to fruition.

The next iteration of Game of Thrones will take place thousands of years before the birth of the characters viewers know and love.

Titled The Long Night, the show currently does not have a release date, but has recently cast a number of actors and a director.

A few cast members were previously announced for the show and included Naomi Watts - best known for Gypsy, and The Impossible - as well as Josh Whitehouse - a mainstay from Poldark.

Since then, Lady MacBeth and Yardie star Naomi Ackie was cast alongside Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Alex Sharp, and Georgie Henley.

Ivanno Jeremiah is also involved, who viewers may recognise from the Black Mirror episode, Shut Up and Dance.

He is also joined by Toby Regbo who has recently appeared in the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald - while historically appearing in Reign.

S J Clarkson will be directing the show and it looks like the show is in good hands as her resume includes directing credits on the Marvel series Jessica Jones and Orange is the New Black, as well as Dexter and Bates Motel.

Most recently, Clarkson has been involved in the upcoming instalment of J J Abrams' Star Trek movie franchise.