It’s one of the most difficult tasks in TV – following up the success of Game of Thrones. But author George R.R. Martin believes House of the Dragon has done it.
George R.R. Martin has announced that Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon has officially wrapped filming — and he’s thrilled with the results.
“Exciting news out of London – I am informed that shooting has WRAPPED for the first season,” he wrote in a blog post on Friday.
“Yes, all ten episodes. I have seen rough cuts of a few of them, and I’m loving them …. the writing, the directing, the acting all look terrific.”
Premiering at an unannounced date this year on Foxtel and Binge, House of the Dragon is based on Martin’s book Fire & Blood and is set around 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, focusing on members of House Targaryen — Daenerys’ and Jon Snow’s ancestors. So, yes, that means that there will be silver wigs galore, smooching between blood relatives and of course, dragons.
It will centre around Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith, The Crown), who is the king’s brother; King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine); Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke); Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), who is the king’s daughter; and Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), known as the Sea Snake.
In case you were weirded out by the sibling incest between Jaime and Cersei Lannister in GoT, this story takes a major turn on that front and, instead, has uncle and niece incest between Daemon and Rhaenyra.
The plot will focus on the ‘Dance of the Dragons’ — the infamous civil war that took place between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra over the throne after the death of their father Viserys I. (Casting for Aegon hasn’t been announced yet).
After Game of Thrones ended in 2019 with season 8 to mass audience controversy and scorn, Martin, who was among the chorus of critics, firmly stated that he loves this show.
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As for a premiere date, although it’s coming in 2022, Martin made it sound like it could be closer to the end of the year.
“So when will you see it, you ask?” he continued in his blog post.
“When will the dragons dance? I wish I could tell you. Lots of work remains to be done, as I said, and covid makes planning difficult. This spring? Unlikely. Maybe summer? Could be. Fall? Who knows? You’ll know when we do.”
This story originally appeared on New York Post and was reproduced with permission
Originally published as George R.R. Martin endorses Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon
