Game of Thrones fans who can't wait to get their next blood-splattered TV fix will soon be able to watch a new series based on a George RR Martin novella.

The 10-part psychological thriller stars Australian actor Angus Sampson, best known for his roles in Mad Max: Fury Road and Insidious.

Nightflyers, due to be released on NBC Universal's science-fiction channel in the coming weeks, is based on a 30,000-word piece written by Martin in 1980. The novella won a 1981 Hugo Award, with a film version released in 1987.

The modern TV series will, for the most part, stay true to the original storyline. Set decades in the future, Nightflyers explores the lives of several scientists – and a telepath – as they try to solve gruesome deaths aboard their spacecraft.