In 2017, John Boyega had some harsh criticism for the hit HBO drama series Game of Thrones in an interview. The Star Wars actor was critical of the show for its lack of Black actors. At the time, Game of Thrones didn’t have any Black actors. But some changes seem to be on the horizon as HBO announced the prequel to the series will feature Naomi Ackie in the lead role, a Black actress from Britain. SJ Clarkson has been tapped to direct the pilot.
Naomi Ackie won a BIFA for the most promising newcomer. She is best known for her secondary role in Lady Macbeth (2016), her lead role in the film industry, which included being nominated twice for the British Independent Film Awards. She is also set to star in Star Wars: Episode IX, which will be released in the winter of 2019.
Although Ackie will be playing the lead, not much else is known about how this version of Game of Thrones will play out. The details of the prequel have been kept under wraps but some have speculated that it will take place thousands of years before the happenings of the HBO drama.
It’s reported, that the long-line on the HBO says, “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.
