Fans of fantasy show, Game of Thrones, are celebrating as the latest spin off show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will be filmed in Belfast.
It is set to begin filming at Titanic Studios in the next few weeks with author George RR Martin expected to make a visit to the site in July.
The news was being kept “under the radar” as cast and crew were being assembled for the new shoot, one tour manager said.
The first eight seasons of Game of Thrones were filmed in the Belfast based studios and across Northern Ireland.
Robert Dowling, owner of ‘Game of Thrones Tours’, added: “We had learned about it a few months ago, it’s been quite secretive.
“All of our guides were extras in the original and they knew a fantasy project would take place after ‘How To Train Your Dragon’.”
He said costume and prop designers who had previously worked on Game of Thrones “have been brought back to work on the new project”.
The stories are set 90 years before the events in Game of Thrones.
The show will debut in 2025, with actor Peter Claffey cast as lead character, Ser Duncan.
Super fan Richard Hodgen, who was an extra in the original series, said it was “fantastic” to see the franchise returning to Northern Ireland.
“Northern Ireland has always been something of a spiritual home to “A song of Ice and Fire” so the local fans of the show are all ecstatic,” Mr Hodgen said.
“Northern Ireland is ‘The North, the REAL North’.”
British director, Owen Harris, will direct three out of six episodes for the first season, The Hedge Knight.
The author said, The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight will follow, “if it does well”.
