House of the Dragon | release date, trailers, and latest news

Among the various figures with plans for life after Viserys are his wicked brother Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), his determined daughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy, Milly Alcock), the shrewd Hand of the King himself Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), and the Hand’s daughter, the comely Lady Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke, Emily Carey).

The showrunners Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal themselves have confirmed that they plan for the show to run for three to four seasons, and may even turn to other chapters of Fire and Blood to tell more stories about the Targaryen dynasty once they are done telling the story of the Dance of Dragons.

With dragons, violence, swords and dark conspiracies, House of the Dragon looks set to be a worthy successor to Game of Thrones.

READ: Matthew Fox Interview

However, Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin has said he was “apprehensive” about handing over his fantasy world to a new creative team for the upcoming prequel series.

He said: “I’m excited. It’s always a little apprehensive when you turn your baby over to foster parents, but I am involved in this. It’s great to have Ryan [Condal], a great writer, and someone who really knew my world. He’s going to do his best to remain faithful to it.”

He continued: “I knew Miguel Sapochnik was an amazing director. He won an Emmy and directed some of our best episodes [of Game of Thrones]. There is always a little suspense to ‘how good is it going to be?’ But I think I am in good hands with Ryan and Miguel.”

House of the Dragon cast

The following main House of the Dragon cast members have been confirmed for the Game of Thrones prequel.

• Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen
• Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
• Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Olivia Cooke as Lady Alicent Hightower
• Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower
• Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon
• Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
• Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
• Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
• Milly Alcock as a younger Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Emily Carey as a younger Lady Alicent Hightower
• Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling

Character descriptions for each of these can be found belo

Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen

Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal.

A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy. But good men do not necessarily make for great kings.

Viserys is married to Queen Aemma Arryn and they share a daughter, Princess Rhaenyra.

Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen

The younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon. But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…

The noble family are known for their distinctive silvery white hair colour, which Smith recently revealed was actually quite the hassle.

When asked what his first decree as king would be at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Smith answered: “I’d allow them to dye their hair. The wigs were a pain in the arse.”

Daemon is often called the “rogue prince” for his dangerous and unpredictable behaviour.

Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

The king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Princess Rhaenyra is the only surviving child of King Viserys and Queen Aemma and he names her as his heir – despite her gender and despite the existence of Prince Daemon.

Milly Alcock portrays the character as a younger woman.

Olivia Cooke as Lady Alicent Hightower

The daughter of Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Alicent is the best friend of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and then goes on to become her stepmother and Queen Consort of the Seven Kingdoms.

Emily Carey portrays the character as a younger woman.

Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower

The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm.

Ser Otto previously served under King Jahaerys before becoming the right-hand man of King Viserys.

As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.

Ser Otto is the father of Lady Alicent and uses his daughter to advance his position and also defeat his enemies.

Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon/”The Sea Snake

Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen.

As “The Sea Snake,” the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

Lord Corlys is keen to protect the interest of House Velaryon and their territory by any means.

Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen

Princess Rhaenys is a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon.

Dubbed “The Queen Who Never Was”, Rhaenys was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favoured her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.

She is the mother to two children by Lord Corlys: Ser Laenor and Lady Laena, both of whom are dragonriders themselves.

Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria

Mysaria came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall. She could have wilted… but instead she rose to become the most trusted — and most unlikely — ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole

Ser Criston is of Dornish descent, the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven.

Cole has no claim to land or titles; all he has to his name is his honor and his preternatural skill with a sword.

Due to his renowned sword fighting and bravery in the battlefield, Ser Criston rises to become a member of the Kingsguard and the personal guard of Princess Rhaenyra.

Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling

Westerling has served in the Kingsguard since the days of King Jaehaerys; he is a paragon of chivalry and honour.

The knight has long looked out for Princess Rhaenyra and is also suspicious of the behaviour of Prince Daemon.

Sian Brooke as Queen Aemma Targaryen

The Queen Consort of King Viserys I Targaryen and the mother of his only living child at the start of the series, Princess Rhaenyra.

When the series opens, Aemma is heavily pregnant after multiple traumatic pregnancies.

Will she give the King the son he so craves?

Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen

The eldest daughter of Laena Velaryon and rider of the young dragon Moondancer.

Phoebe Campbell as Lady Rhaena Targaryen

The second daughter of Lady Laena and sister to Baela.

Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys Velaryon

The eldest son of Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong

‘Breakbones’, Harwin is said to be the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms. Ser Harwin is the eldest son to Master of Laws Lyonel Strong and heir to Harrenhal.

Tom Glynn-Carney as Prince Aegon Targaryen

The first-born son of King Viserys.

Jefferson Hall as Ser Tyland Lannister

The crafty and calculating politician, twin to Lord Jason Lannister.

Jefferson Hall as Lord Jason Lannister

The Lord of Casterly Rock and twin to Ser Tyland Lannister.

David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos

The voice of reason and trusted advisor to King Viserys.

Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon

The younger brother to Lord Corlys Velaryon and commander in the Velaryon navy.

John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon

The son of Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.

Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen

The second-born son of Viserys, nephew to Daemon, and half-brother to Rhaenyra.

Theo Nate as Ser Laenor Velaryon

The son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.

Matthew Needham as Larys Strong

The younger son of Master of Laws Lyonel Strong, brought to court by his father.

Bill Paterson as Lord Lyman Beesbury

The Lord of Honeyholt and Master of Coin on King Viserys’s small council.

Phia Saban as Princess Helaena Targaryen

The second-born daughter of Viserys, sister to Aegon and Aemond, half-sister to Rhaenyra.

Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong

The Master of Laws to King Viserys and Lord of Harrenhal.

Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velayron

The daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.

House of the Dragon trailers

A first-look trailer was finally released in October 2021, soundtracked to a slow version of the classic Game of Thrones theme but introducing a host of new characters and story ideas, including a different design of the Iron Throne. You could say it’s looking pretty sharp…

The following teaser trailer was released on 5th May 2022, which showed off more from the dragons and teased the beginning of the bloody Targaryen civil war otherwise known as The Dance of Dragons.

Looks like fans have lots of action scenes, fire and political scheming to come.

On Monday 18th July 2022, HBO released a behind-the-scenes video for the series titled ‘A New Reign’,

During the clip, A Song of Ice and Fire author George R. R. Martin discusses his thoughts on the series and showrunners explain how House of the Dragon differs to Game of thrones.

On Thursday 18th August 2022, a new promo was released titled ‘Fire Will Reign’.

The clip teases the havoc we will see brought about by the dragons and their owners the Targaryens, particularly Matt Smith’s roguish prince, Daemon.

There will be 10 episodes in the first season and these will be released weekly.

The following episode titles are available for House of the Dragon season 1.

1. The Heirs of the Dragon
2. The Rogue Prince
3. TBC
4. TBC
5. TBC
6. TBC
7. TBC
8. TBC
9. TBC
10. TBC

This page will be updated as further episode titles are made available.

Will any Game of Thrones characters return in House of the Dragon?

Probably not – unless the Night King or some Children of the Forest make a cameo.

The series is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, meaning that none of the characters we’ve grown to know and love would appear.

However, we will see ancestors of the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons and other families that we’re more familiar with. Depending on exactly how much ground is covered we could also see original Westerosi conquerors Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen, as hinted by early casting announcements, though this hasn’t been confirmed.

And there is one familiar face that we might seen again – that of famously large dragon Balerion the Black Dread, Aegon’s mount whose skull resided in the dungeon’s of King’s Landing throughout most of Game of Thrones, and who was “historically” ridden by King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) at one point. Though he might have a little bit more skin on his bones this time.

The first concept art released for the show seemed to suggest that it will indeed live up to its name.

What is House of the Dragon about?

It’s been confirmed that the Targaryen Civil War – known as the Dance of Dragons – will be the focus of the prequel. This conflict took place after two rival claimants for the Iron Throne rose up (sound familiar?) from different branches of the Targaryen family, leading to a bloody clash of men, women and dragons.

Thrones author George RR Martin said: “For what it’s worth, those who have read Fire & Blood will realise it contains enough materials for a dozen shows.

“I can say that there will be dragons. Everyone else has said that, so why not me?”

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner Miguel Sapochnik revealed: “The main characters are two women and two men. There’s the king (Viserys), his brother (Daemon), the king’s daughter (Rhaenyra) and her best friend (Alicent). Then the best friend becomes the king’s wife and thereby the queen.

“That in itself is complicated — when your best friend goes and marries your dad. But from the tiniest things, it slowly evolves this gigantic battle between two sides.”

Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming, said after the show’s announcement: “The Game of Thrones universe is so rich with stories. We look forward to exploring the origins of House Targaryen and the earlier days of Westeros along with Miguel, Ryan and George.”

Meanwhile, Olivia Cooke says the current script is different from the first draft she saw years ago, after writers toned down scenes featuring violence towards women.

Writers and directors experienced backlash over Game of Thrones scenes featuring Emilia Clarke’s dragon queen character Daenerys Targaryen, after she was brutally raped by Jason Momoa’s Khal Drogo.

Cooke told The Telegraph: “I wouldn’t feel comfortable in being a part of anything that has just egregious graphic violence towards women for no reason whatsoever, just because they want it to be tantalising in a way that gets viewers.

“I was lucky enough to read the script before, and it has changed a lot from the first few seasons (of Game of Thrones). I don’t think they’d be in their right minds to include any of that any more”

We’ve gone into a bit more depth here on Game of Thrones spin-off potential storylines…

House of the Dragon release date

House of the Dragon will premiere on Monday 22nd August 2022 in the UK at 2am BST.

The episode will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK before airing once again at 9pm the same day on Sky Atlantic.

The series is to premiere at the same time (a day early) in the US on HBO in the US.

How to watch House of the Dragon in the UK

We also already know how to watch House of the Dragon.

Sky Atlantic, the same channel that aired Game of Thrones, has extended its deal with HBO after House of the Dragon’s announcement.

Of course, you’ll also be able to find the show on NOW.

To catch up, you can watch Game of Thrones seasons 1 – 8 on Amazon Prime today or on NOW when it becomes available. You can also buy the DVD boxset for seasons 1-8 on Amazon for £99.99.

Who’s making House of the Dragon?

George RR Martin, who wrote the original A Song of Ice and Fire book series that Game of Thrones is based on, has been working on the series with Ryan Condal, the creator of sci-fi TV series Colony.

“[The series] has a script and a bible, and both of them are terrific, first rate, exciting,” Martin said. “They’re the work of Ryan Condal.”

“He’s a helluva strong writer, and a huge fan of A Song of Ice and Fire, Dunk & Egg, and Westeros in general. I’ve loved working with him, and if the Seven Gods and HBO are kind, I hope to keep on working with him for years to come on this new successor show.”

Director Miguel Sapochnik will also serve as co-showrunner with Condal, and has been tapped to direct the first episode as well as several others, having previously helmed prolific Game of Thrones chapters including Battle of the Bastards and Winds of Winter.

Regular Game of Thrones writer Bryan Cogman reportedly worked on an earlier version of the idea that has now been shelved.

Will there be a Game of Thrones sequel series?

A spin-off series set after the events of Game of Thrones is in development at HBO.

The series is set to focus on Jon Snow following the events of the central series and currently has a working title of ‘Snow’ according to George R. R. Martin.

Kit Harington is expected to reprise his role as the hero from the original series.

To catch up, you can watch Game of Thrones seasons 1 – 8 on Amazon Prime today or on NOW when it becomes available. You can also buy the DVD boxset for seasons 1-8 on Amazon for £99.99.