New casting and directing announcements make the Game of Thrones prequel more diverse than its predecessor already.

Deadline has revealed a bumper-crop of new casting announcements for the as-yet-untitled Game of Thrones prequel series, and at last, some diversity appears.

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Joining the cast as series regulars are Naomie Ackie, who will star in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode IX, as well as Sheila Atim and Ivanno Jeremiah. Jamie Campbell Bower, who was recast in the role of Ser Waymar Royce from the original Game of Thrones pilot and has appeared in the Twilight Saga and Harry Potter films, also joins the main cast.

Denise Gough, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp, and Toby Regbo fill out the ranks in the still-mysterious prequel series.

The new members join Noami Watts and Josh Whitehouse in the swelling cast. No information has been revealed as to the identity of these many characters, but given the Game of Thrones prequel setting of “thousands of years” prior to the events of the main series, ancestors, legendary heroes, and entirely new characters all remain viable options.

In addition, female director SJ Clarkson, who has previously worked on Marvel’s Jessica Jones, will direct the pilot episode. This marks only the second time a woman has been hired to direct material in the Game of Thrones franchise — Michelle MacLaren has directed four episodes of the main series.

The Game of Thrones prequel pilot will be written by showrunner and executive producer Jane Goldman (X-Men: First Class and The Kingsman.) A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin is also serving as an executive producer on the project.