House of the Dragon, HBO’sGame of Thronesprequel series, is set to premiere on August 21, 2022.
It will center on the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
The showrunners in charge of the series are screenwriter Ryan Condal and director Miguel Sapochnik.
It will also include characters and storylines from some of Martin’s short stories.
The author says he’s happy with the way the show has turned out.
Paddy Considinewill play King Viserys I Targaryen in the new series, the monarch of Westeros.
Image via HBO
This leads to a rift in the Targaryen family.
One side supports Princess Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne; the other backs Prince Aegon.
Eventually, this escalates into a full-blown conflict, with devastating consequences for the Targaryen dynasty.
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) grew up believing she would wear the crown.
From a young age, she trained in court politics.
She spent a lot of time seated at the foot of the Iron Throne while her father issued decrees.
She is also a dragon-rider and commands the great yellow dragon, Syrax.
But Rhaenyra is confronted by sinister political machinations.
Her stepmother, Alicent Hightower, intends to maneauvre her own son onto the throne.
Another major character confirmed forHouse of the Dragonis Daemon Targaryen, played byMatt SmithofDoctor Whofame.
Daemon is married to Princess Rhaenyra and supports her claim to the throne.
He also rides Caraxes, one of the mightiest Targaryen dragons.
Image via HBO
Daemon’s story should make for some entertaining TV.
According toFire and Blood, he was involved in multiple battles, including several aerial fights against other dragon-riders.
He seems like he’ll be an entertaining character too.
He’s described as roguish and irreverent.
Alicent Hightower grew up in the Red Keep, which gave her a crash course in political cunning.
However, it looks like she will be more than simply the show’s evil stepmother.
Image via HBO
In aninterview with Collider, actress Olivia Cooke praised her character’s complexity and the show’s writing.
“You just don’t know what you’re gonna get with these characters,” she said.
They’re so well-written.
It’s very complex, and it’s not black and white at all."
Ser Otto (Rhys Ifans) is Alicent’s father and Hand of the King to Viserys.
He is also the sworn enemy of Daemon.
Otto is actually mentioned in the bookA Storm of Swords.
This doesn’t bode well for him in the new series.
The character seems like a perfect fit for Rhys Ifans, who has played several anti-heroes and villains.
He is perhaps most well-known for his roles as Xenophilius Lovegood inHarry Potterand Lizard inSpiderman: No Way Home.
Ewan Mitchellhas been cast as Prince Aemond One-Eye, the younger brother to Aegon II.
It looks like Aemond may grow into one ofHouse of the Dragon’s main villains.
He’s said to be a relentless warrior and a skilled dragon-rider.
He rides Vhagar, the biggest and deadliest Targaryen dragon of its day.
Corlys is renowned as the greatest seafarer in the history of Westeros.
He commands the kingdom’s largest navy and boasts more wealth than even the Lannisters.
Corlys looks set to be an intriguing character.
Corlys is actually the lead character in anotherGame of Thronesspinoff that is currently in the works.
It is being written byRomeshowrunner Bruno Heller.
While Borros Baratheon has not been mentioned by the showrunners, he would be an interesting character to see.
During theHouse of the Dragontimeline, Borros was the lord of the stormlands.
He is anancestor to Robert Baratheon fromGame of Thrones, who would finally bring an end to Targaryen rule.
It’s possible that the show will depict this storyline at some point.
It could be interesting to learn more about the famously blunt and war-like Baratheons.
Not to mention, we might get to see Borros and his warhammer in action.
Caraxes the Blood Wyrm is Daemon’s mount during the Dance of the Dragons.
Just seeing dragon warfare is already worth the price of admission.
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