A HOLLYWOOD heart-throb and a major new American television series about the battle between good and evil could be set to deliver a £20 million boost for the Northern Ireland economy.

The cable network HBO has commissioned nine episodes of a new television series based on the hit fantasy novels by American author George RR Martin.

The US network, which has been behind hit TV shows such as The Sopranosand Sex and the City, filmed a pilot of the new series The Game of Throneslast year. It was shot in the former paint hall of the Harland & Wolff shipyard in east Belfast, which is now in demand as a film production set. It was also the location for the Hollywood blockbuster, City of Ember.

HBO has confirmed it is committed to a further nine episodes of The Game of Thrones,which will go into production in Belfast in June and will once again be filmed on location in Belfast.

The new series, which will star Sean Bean, has been billed as a medieval fantasy epic.

The North’s First and Deputy First Ministers said HBO’s decision to return to Northern Ireland to film the series, which will be in production until the end of the year, is a major vote of confidence for the North’s film and television industry.

Hundreds of local people are expected to be employed as cast and crew members.