ENNIS actress Denise Gough has landed a leading role in upcoming prequel series to Game Of Thrones, it has been confirmed.

The Olivier-award winning actress, one of 11 children, has built a strong stage profile in recent years while also starring in a number of screen successes such as Poldark (alongside Naomi Watts), The Walking Dead and Jimmy’s Hall alongside fellow Ennis actress Simone Kirby.

However this latest role is expected to be the 39-year-old’s highest profile work to date.

British director SJ Clarkson will take charge of the pilot episode of the yet-to-be named series which also stars Sheila Atim, Ivanno Jeremiah, Georgie Henley, Alex Sharp and Toby Regbo.

The Game Of Thrones prequel takes place thousands of years before the events of the main story line, with HBO saying it “chronicles the world’s descent from the Age Of Heroes into its darkest hour”.

Gough’s new film Colette, starring Keira Knightley, has just opened in cinemas.