Miranda Richardson cast in 'Game of Thrones' prequel pilot

Los Angeles: "Harry Potter" actor Miranda Richardson has been roped in to star in "Game of Thrones" spin-off, tentatively titled, "The Long Night".

The actor is known for her turn as Rita Skeeter, the nosy Gossip Correspondent for the fictitious newspaper Daily Prophet in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire".

According to Deadline, Richardson has joined the ensemble cast which features Naomi Watts in the lead.

Josh Whitehouse, Naomi Ackie, Denise Gough, Jamie Campbell Bower, Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp and Toby Regbo are also attached to star.

The prequel



pilot comes from writer Jane Goldman and "GOT" creator and co-executive producer George RR Martin. Goldman will also serve as showrunner.

According to HBO, the new show will be set thousands of years before the events of "Game of Thrones".

It will chronicle the world's descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. From the horrifying secrets of Westeros's history to the true origin of the White Walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend, the official logline of the show read. 

"GOT" returns for a final time on April 14.