HBO Has Ordered a Game of Thrones Prequel Pilot

With HBO's smash hit/cash cow Game of Thrones ending next year, the big question is how will the cable network keep their biggest franchise alive. For years, rumors have swirled about potential spinoffs for the juggernaut fantasy series and now HBO has officially ordered a pilot episode of a Game of Thrones prequel set during Westeros' "Age of Heroes."

According to Variety, the prequel will center around the arrival of the White Walkers and the "Long Night" mentioned several times throughout Game of Thrones. The new series would see the origins of the Stark family we know and love today, as well as the mysterious Children of the Forest.

And 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.

Game of Thrones will conclude in 2019.