The end of HBO’s Game of Thrones wasn’t the end of the story. The series’ popularity ensured there would be a spinoff. HBO execs tested different ideas, with five scrips solicited and an entire pilot made and scrapped prior to deciding on which direction to take. Now, the winner, House Of The Dragon, has started filming. Better yet, HBO has released details and images of the new series.
From the start, George R.R. Martin, author of the book series that inspired these shows, insisted any spinoff would not be a sequel to GOT. Instead, it had to come from earlier in history. Where exactly to set a prequel was not an easy decision. In his books, Martin filled readers with tons of history and world-building for Westeros, with details that stretched as far back as 10,000 years before the current day, in the “Age of Heroes.”
The initial show put to pilot centered on that extremely far back moment in history, but when it was set to favor House of the Dragon, it wasn’t clear where the new show would focus. The title aimed to the 300-year reign of the Targaryen dragon lords, but so much occurred during that period too.
So, here’s what’s known so far.
House of the Dragon Teaser No. 1
When HBO announced the GOT spinoff winner in 2019, it did so with a teaser. The above clip doesn’t give away much about House of the Dragon, other than that it promises a new period in Wersteros history and a time with dragons. It did also direct fans to the source the show will pull from: George R. R. Martin’s first volume of his history of the Targaryen rein, Fire & Blood.
On May 5, 2021, the first images from the series were released. These featured Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen, Corlys Velaryon, the head of Westeros’ most powerful navy, and Queen Alicent Hightower and her father, Otto Hightower. Filming for the new series began in April of 2021. HBO teased the show with images from the first table read in this Twitter thread.
The first trailer with actual footage from the new series arrived on Oct. 5, 2021. It features (among others) the Targaryen dynasty at the height of its reign, including King Viserys Targaryen (played by Paddy Considine), his daughter and declared heir, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), and his younger brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
House Of The Dragon Teaser No. 2
HBO released another teaser on May 5, 2022, this time providing more insight into the show’s plot. It shows a lot of notorious famous families (Starks, Baratheons, Valaryons, etc.) all pledging their loyalty to both King Viserys Targaryen, as well as his daughter and heir, Rhaenyra. But it appears certain struggles will get in the way of Rhaenyra’s reign.
Overall, the teaser trailer sparks major Game of Thrones vibes. Fans should be hyped.
House Of The Dragon Trailer
On July 20, 2022, HBO released the full trailer for the series, setting up a bitter rivalry, featuring lots of dragons.
House Of The Dragon Cast
In October 2020, HBO announced Paddy Considine had been cast in the first significant role for the new series. Considine will play King Viserys Targaryen, whose reign spanned from 103-129 AC.
On December 11, HBO confirmed three more characters, rounding out the major Targaryen leads. Matt Smith will play Daemon Targaryen. He is the younger brother to Viserys and uncle/husband of Viserys’ eldest Princess Rhaenyra.
Emma D’Arcy will star as Princess Rhaenyra, Viserys’ only surviving child from his first marriage and chosen heir.
Olivia Cooke will play Alicent Hightower, Viserys’ very ambitious second wife. Unfortunately for Rhaenyra, when Viserys dies, many in the Small Council refuse to support her claim to the throne. Instead, they back Alicent’s claim her young son, Aegon, should inherit, despite the late king’s wishes.
Prior to filming in April, four more cast members were announced, such as Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon. Her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon (known as “The Sea Snake”), will be played by Steve Toussaint. Lord Corlys Velaryon is mega rich (more so than the Lannisters) and even has his own navy. The two will be a powerful ally to whichever side they choose to back, and history suggests they would naturally sympathize with Rhaenyra.
Also joining the cast is Rhys Ifans (Harry Potter) as Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King and Alicent’s father. Sonoya Mizuno has been cast as Mysaria, a formerly enslaved Essos girl who’s risen to become Daemon Targaryen’s closest adviser. Ryan Corr will play Ser Harwin Strong, rumored to be Raenyra’s lover. Jefferson Hall will play twin politicians Lord Jason Lannister and also Ser Tyland Lannister.
Alongside the new trailer, HBO also revealed multiple new additions to the group, featuring Will Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon, Coryls’ younger brother. The press release also announced who will play Corlys and Rhaenys’ two children: John Macmillan and Theo Nate as young Ser Laenor and Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena.
Premiere Date
House Of The Dragon will premiere on HBO on August 21, 2022.
