US fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin has signed a five-year deal with HBO

Martin, whose book series 'A Song Of Ice And Fire' became the record-breaking TV phenomenon 'Game Of Thrones', is already working on prequel series 'House Of The Dragon' set 300 years earlier, which is expected to air next year. Photo: AFP

Fantasy writer George R.R. Martin has signed a five-year deal with HBO, the studio said recently, raising hopes among Game Of Thrones fans for countless more adventures set among the dragons and warring families of Westeros.

The 72-year-old, whose book series A Song Of Ice And Fire became the record-breaking TV phenomenon Game Of Thrones, is already working on prequel series House Of The Dragon set 300 years earlier, which is expected to air next year.

Parent company WarnerMedia confirmed a "five year, overall deal" to "develop content for HBO and HBO Max," its streaming service, in a statement.

The announcement did not specify what - if any - additional Thrones content would emerge from the deal.

But the original Game Of Thrones redefined must-watch "event TV" for the streaming generation and bagged a staggering 59 Emmys, meaning further instalments are all-but certain.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the deal worth "mid-eight figures" dollars could include the saga of warrior queen Nymeria who reigned a millennium before Thrones takes place - provisionally entitled 10,000 Ships.

Other projects reportedly in development include seafaring spin-off 9 Voyages from the creators of popular TV historical drama Rome, and a gritty underworld tale set in Westeros capital King's Landing called Flea Bottom.

A Dunk And Egg TV series based on Martin's novellas about a knight and his squire has long been rumoured, while an animated drama spanning thousands of years has also been mooted.

Outside the Thrones universe, WarnerMedia's statement confirmed Martin will executive produce two other HBO projects -Who Fears Death and Roadmarks, both adaptations of fantasy novels from other authors.

With Martin also involved in the Netflix film adaptation of his early short story Sandkings, the flurry of small-screen projects has raised concern among fans still impatiently waiting for the conclusion of his A Song Of Ice And Fire series.

It has been nearly a decade since the fifth instalment of the seven-book series was published. - AFP

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