It is one of the world's most popular TV series and it is planning to film its next series in one of Europe's most unemployed countries. So it is no surprise that the firm in charge of producing the fifth series of Game of Thrones has been overwhelmed with requests from people eager to appear in the international hit show.

More than 10,000 Spaniards have applied to work as extras in the show, part of which is to be shot in southern Spain later this year, according to the Spanish production company involved.

"Thank you for wanting to participate," said Fresco Film Services following the huge response. "In less than 24 hours we have received more than 10,000 requests."

The firm had earlier put two email addresses on its page, one for extras and the other for technical crew. A spokesman said Fresco had already met their requirements for technicians.

The casting is only for extras, not for speaking parts. The firm says its confidentiality agreement with the producer HBO prevents it from revealing more details.

Extras' casting would take place until September and the shoot is expected to begin in October. Various locations around Seville have been proposed, including the Moorish palace of Alcázar (as the Water Gardens of Dorne, the private residence of the House of Martell, the radio network Cadena Ser ER has speculated), and various places around Osuna.

Osuna University, which is built in the Italian renaissance style and is topped by four blue-tiled cylindrical conical spires, is tipped as another location. Previous series of Game of Thrones have been shot in Iceland and Croatia and this fifth series starts filming in Belfast this month.