After Game of Thrones completed its extremely successful but controversial run, fans started wondering if HBO would attempt to take advantage of the very rich mythology that the franchise's creator, George R. R. Martin, has established throughout his popular book series. Soon after the series ended, several reports indicated that HBO was looking at multiple new show options set in the world Martin created, with the author being heavily involved behind the scenes.
The first spinoff that was attempted to be produced was a pilot, starring Naomi Watts, that was set thousands of years in the past. After the pilot's filming was completed, the network decided to not give it a series order, costing HBO millions of dollars. However, a new project focusing on the Targaryen family, House of the Dragon, later received a straight-to-series pickup. With House of the Dragon ready to see the light of day many have turned their attention to the upcoming series to see if it will be able to carry -- and perhaps restore -- the original show's legacy. Here is everything that we know so far about HBO's Game of Thrones prequel series, including the plot, release date and trailer information.
House Targaryen will be front and center
The series is set 200 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones, telling the early stories of House Targaryen's rise to power in Westeros. More specifically, based on Martin's book, Fire & Blood, it is expected that the show will explore the events that led to the civil war known as "The Dance of the Dragons." In Fire & Blood, the current king that sits on the Iron Throne is King Viserys I Targaryen -- not to be confused with Daenery's older brother from the original series -- the fifth Targaryen king of Westeros. After his death, his firstborn child and heir, Princess Rhaenyra claims the throne as her father intended but she is challenged by her brother, Aegon the Elder, who wants the throne for himself.
Paddy Considine has been tapped to play King Viserys, with Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra and Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, the king's younger brother. In the book, Prince Daemon becomes a supporter of Princess Rhaenyra during the war and eventually marries her. Rhys Ifans also stars as Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King; with Olivia Cooke as Ser Otto's daughter, Lady Alicent; Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, the head of House Velaryon; and Eve Best as Lord Corlys' wife and King Viserys' cousin, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon. Sonoya Mizuno and Fabien Frankel conclude the show's primary cast, portraying Mysaria and Ser Criston Cole, respectively.
Additional cast members include Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell as Baela and Rhaena Targaryen, daughters of Prince Daemon, Milly Alcock as young Princess Rhaenyra, Emily Carey as young Lady Alicent, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall as twins Tyland and Jason Lannister, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, and Savannah Steyn, all in recurring roles.
In May 2022, HBO also released brand character posters for each of the major players in the Game of Thrones spinoff.
When will the dragons take flight?
HBO has set Aug. 21 as the official premiere date for the highly anticipated prequel series. The first season will consist of 10 episodes but potential future seasons have not been confirmed by the network yet.
Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik serve as co-showrunners, with Condal co-creating the series alongside George R.R. Martin. The show is executive produced by Sara Hess, Jocelyn Diaz, Vince Gerardis, and Ron Schmidt.
House of the Dragon's Trailer
On October 2021, HBO released the first official teaser for the series that promises a lot of intrigue, drama and dragons!
On May 2022, HBO released a new official teaser trailer that gives viewers a more detailed look on the new characters of House of the Dragon. This extended look into the series teases that the show will explore different time periods, following the main characters' lives throughout the years.
On July 20th, 2022, HBO released the official trailer, which gives us a clearer idea of what the series will be about. This includes a clearer look at some of the dynamics, and of course, dragons involved.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
-
House of the Dragon
- Cast:
- Jefferson Hall, Eve Best, David Horovitch, Paddy Considine, Ryan Corr, Bill Paterson, Fabien Frankel, Graham McTavish, Olivia Cooke, Gavin Spokes, Sonoya Mizuno, Steve Toussaint, Matt Smith, Matthew Needham, Rhys Ifans, Emma D'Arcy, Milly Alcock
- Release Date:
- 2022-08-21
- Seasons:
- 2
- Genres:
- Drama, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Summary:
- Two centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen—the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria—took up residence on Dragonstone. Fire and Blood begins with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and recounts the generations of Targaryens. They fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynasty apart.
- Website:
- https://www.hbo.com/house-of-the-dragon
- Franchise:
- Game of Thrones
- Characters By:
- George R. R. Martin
- Cinematographer:
- Alejandro Martinez, Catherine Goldschmidt, Pepe Avila del Pino, Fabian Wagner
- Creator:
- George R. R. Martin, Ryan J. Condal
- Distributor:
- Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
- Main Characters:
- Queen Alicent Hightower, Ser Harrold Westerling, Lord Corlys Velaryon, Grand Maester Mellos, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Ser Criston Cole, Lord Lyonel Strong, Ser Otto Hightower, Lord Jason Lannister/Ser Tyland Lannister, King Viserys I Targaryen, Mysaria, Lord Lyman Beesbur, Prince Daemon Targaryen, Ser Harwin Strong, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Larys Strong
- Production Company:
- Bastard Sword, Cross Plains Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO
- Rating:
- TV-MA
- Sequel:
- Game of Thrones
- Sfx Supervisor:
- Michael Dawson
- Story By:
- George R. R. Martin
- Number of Episodes:
- 10
- Filming Locations:
- Spain, England, Portugal, California
- Main Genre:
- Drama
