GoT writers' new series is actually a Red Dwarf gag

From Digital Spy

It's safe to say Game of Thrones showrunners DB Weiss and David Benioff didn't receive the most glowing of reactions when they announced their follow-up TV series to the HBO drama.

Indeed, last week, the writers revealed their new show Confederate would take place in the lead-up to a third American Civil War in an alternative future where the South won and slavery still exists.

Weiss and Benioff are working with two black writers on the project, but the show announcement still prompted a backlash on social media, with some fans labelling the pair's attempts to produce a series about slavery as inappropriate, insulting and downright insensitive.

However, what it actually appears to be is a copy of an idea first sparked by Red Dwarf's Rimmer.

So, yes. It's a literal joke.

Indeed, in a scene from Red Dwarf episode 'Fathers and Suns', Rimmer can be seen requesting 'Victory South', a "fascinating drama series about the American Civil War where the South win."

Hmm. Sound familiar?

Speaking out about the controversy last week, Benioff said the pair were surprised by the outrage, branding it 'premature'.

"So everything is brand new and nothing's been written," Benioff told Vulture. "I guess that's what was a little bit surprising about some of the outrage.

"It's just a little premature. You know, we might f**k it up. But we haven't yet."

Still, remember Rimmer got there first.

Confederate will come to HBO in 2019.

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