Yet more details about the much-awaited Game of Thrones prequel are coming to light – this time, Life on Mars star John Simm has confirmed that he is involved with the big return to everyone's favourite brutal fantasy world.

While promoting his turn as Macbeth on the Chris Evans Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, Simm also said that the pilot had already been shot.

When asked if he had to test his knowledge of the show before filming, Simm said: "No, they didn't give me a quiz but I did have to download every single episode and watch it all in about a month."

BBC

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Sounds like any Game of Thrones fan's dream homework assignment, to have to watch every single episode in rather quick succession.

Simm was unable to give much more away – in true Game of Thrones non-spoiler fashion – but after confirming that the series is set a thousand years before the original, he joked that this confession could cost him his role in the show.

"So I'm just in the pilot! You will see my decapitated head in episode 2!" he joked.

HBO

Related: Kit Harington rules out making cameo in Game of Thrones prequel

The new series is described by HBO as one that "chronicles the world's descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour".

It's written by Jane Goldman, and also brings in A Song of Ice and Fire author George R R Martin and Jessica Jones director SJ Clarkson.

Oscar nominee Naomi Watts has been cast in a lead role, alongside Josh Whitehouse (Poldark), Naomi Ackie (Star Wars: Episode IX), Denise Gough (Colette, Apple Tree Yard), Jamie Campbell Bower (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), Miranda Richardson, and many more.

Game of Thrones aired on HBO in the US, and you can also catch up on the show via Hulu. Pre-order seasons 1-8 on DVD and Blu-ray now.

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