'Game of Thrones' Creators in Slavery Controversy

Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are still in the process of wrapping up their epic fantasy drama for HBO. But ever since Wednesday, when HBO announced that it ordered a sci-fi series from the duo set in alternative timeline where slavery still exits, the prolific pair have had to turn their attention to their next project and more specifically the controversy already surrounding it.

Titled Confederate, the drama chronicles the events leading to the Third American Civil War. The series takes place in an alternate timeline, where the Southern states have successfully seceded from the Union, giving rise to a nation in which slavery remains legal and has evolved into a modern institution. The story follows a broad swath of characters on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Demilitarized Zone — freedom fighters, slave hunters, politicians, abolitionists, journalists, the executives of a slave-holding conglomerate and the families of people in their thrall.

The project almost immediately drew criticism across social media for its depiction of present day slavery.

In an interview with New York's Vulture, Benioff and Weiss, along with fellow Confederate writers, African-American husband-and-wife team Malcolm and Nichelle Tramble Spellman, defended the project and urged those upset parties to wait until the episodes actually premiere, which is not expected for at least a year if not more.

Read the rest of this article at The Hollywood Reporter.

Game of Thrones is currently in its seventh season on HBO.