Game of Thrones fans fear prequel series Bloodmoon will see Naomi Watts’ character sacrificed to White Walkers
GAME of Thrones: Bloodmoon looks set to live up to its namesake following the completion of its pilot episode.
Fans of the Westeros-based fantasy franchise are no doubt pining for their fix of dragons, betrayal and passion now that the original series has wrapped.
So it’s no surprise that there is already a copious amount of speculation surrounding the plot for the spin-off series Game of Thrones: Bloodmoon.
In particular, the identity of Naomi Watts’ character has sparked debate, with some eagle-eyed followers of the novels predicting she’ll play the wife of Azor Ahai, Nissa Nissa.
Though unnamed, Watts’ character was previously described as “a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret,” in keeping with the lore around Nissa Nissa.
What’s more, pictures leaked online purporting to be of Naomi on set in costume befitting a Westerosi noble of some magnitude.
Decked out in a flowing embroidered gown and wearing a braided hairstyle, Naomi looked every bit the leading lady.
Alas, as those who know their Game of Thrones history will be aware Nissa Nissa was famously stabbed through the heart by her husband Azor Ahai in a sacrifice to defeat the White Walkers and bring back light to the world.
One Reddit user predicted: “Okay so surely the season finale is gonna be Nissa Nissa – probably Naomi Watts – getting murdered? Kinda like when Jon had to take out Danerys for the greater good.”
A second agreed: “Money’s on Watts as Nissa Nissa, we know GoT bosses aren’t afraid to kill off their big names to bring the drama.”
Filming in Belfast, Northern Ireland finished up earlier this year and was met with praise by HBO executive Casey Bloys, but bosses have remained tight-lipped when it comes to plot points.
However, we know that the narrative is set thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones and tracks the downfall from the golden Age of Heroes as it is gripped by the first ever White Walker invasion.
George RR Martin will be overseeing the entire series, so fans of the book can rest assured that there are unlikely to be too many major departures.
Other Hollywood stars set to star in Bloodmoon include Miranda Richardson, John Simm, Jamie Campbell Bower and Toby Regbo.
Most read in TV and Showbiz
The Game of Thrones finale divided opinion, with many fans claiming the six-episode series was "rushed" and "oversimplified".
Each episode was feature-length and the series was dominated by epic, large-scale battles and scenes intended to tie up loose ends.