There was talk in 2017 that HBO was planning to release not one, but multiple spinoffs and prequel series based on A Song of Fire and Ice author George R. R. Martin’s magical universe before Game of Thrones ended up its eight-year run in the spring of 2019.
While a prequel to Game of Thrones starring Naomi Watts got the go-ahead to film a pilot before the network decided to cancel it, other optioned series are still in development.
While one show that was planned to take place thousands of years before the events of GoT and star Naomi Watts got the go-ahead to film a pilot before the network ultimately opted to pull the plug on it, other optioned series are still in the works.
One of them will be arriving quite soon. House of the Dragon, which was awarded a full-season order back in fall 2019, is the first of the spinoffs coming down the pipeline.
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If you’re familiar with the novels or have seen the original, you should be able to discern just from the title alone that the new show is about the Targaryen family, the clan from which Daenerys and Jon Snow are descendants. While HBO and George R. R. Martin start to fire the coals on their latest collaboration, here’s all we know about House of the Dragon so far.
What Is the Release Date of House of the Dragon?
In late March 2022, HBO announced House of the Dragon will broadcast on August 21. That’s a Sunday, so it appears like GoT fans will be back to their typical end-of-the-weekend appointment viewing, as the series airs weekly.
The show is surely one of HBO’s big releases this year and arrives quite swiftly after it began production back in spring/summer 2021. Now that it’s definitely on the way, you can officially get psyched about all of the dragons and family rivalries coming shortly.
What Will House of the Dragon Be About?
Set 200 years before the events of GoT, House of the Dragon chronicles the origins and end of the reign of House Targaryen, according to THR. As shared by Entertainment Weekly, that includes the notorious Dance of the Dragons or the Targaryen civil war that tore Westeros apart.
It’s based on Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood and—considering the revelation that the character Viserys is leading the cast (more on that below)—seems to particularly start its timeline on the chapter “Heirs of the Dragon” about the transition of power from Jaehaerys Targaryen to Viserys. This suggests that the series will follow Viserys as he attempts to become the ruler of Westeros (or fails miserably).
Is There a House of the Dragon Trailer?
In May 2022, HBO released a teaser for the spinoff, and if you weren’t already pumped, this clip might get you there. Several well-known characters, including Stark, Baratheon, and Valaryon, can be seen kneeling before Rhaenyra Targaryen as she is crowned king.
So far, it looks like a bloodbath and political plots are on the horizon due to the fact that she’s a woman taking over the throne. Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) voices the narration “Blood is not recorded in the annals of time. It has a database of user names stored in it “boost your adrenaline levels. The fans have gotten their wish, and there are some images of fire-breathing dragons.
It’s possible that you’ve already seen the first teaser for the series, which premiered in October 2021. There’s not as much of a storyline teaser here, but we do get to see more of the actors and are promised “Gods, Kings, Fire and Blood” in this one. Daemon Targaryen, meanwhile, declares, “Dreams didn’t make us kings—dragons did,” as we see the Iron Throne in the background. Even though it’s only a few seconds long, this video is sure to get your blood pumping.
House of the Dragon Cast
In October 2020, HBO made the first big casting announcement for House of the Dragon. It has been confirmed that Paddy Considine (The Outsider, The Third Day) will play King Viserys Targaryen on Game of Thrones. the “lords of Westeros” at Harrenhal chose Visery to succeed Jahaerys Targaryen as “the Old King,” according to Deadline.
Although he’s been described as “warm, kind, and decent,” this doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be a strong dictator because he’s a “nice guy.”
Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers) and Matt Smith (Doctor Who, The Crown) will join the Targaryen clan in late 2020, according to Variety. It has been announced that D’Arcy would portray the first-born, dragon rider Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, and Smith will portray Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of King Viserys, and the rightful successor to the throne.
Even though it’s called House of the Dragon, there will be other families on the show. There have been casting announcements for members of the House Velaryon bloodline as well. Steve Toussaint (Small Axe) portrays Lord Corlys Velaryon, a “famous naval adventurer” with the “biggest navy in the world,” who is also known as “The Sea Snake.”
Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, played by Eve Best (Nurse Jackie, Fate: The Winx Saga), is actually a Dragonriders of Targaryen heritage, but her throne position was given to her cousin Viserys because she is female. Sounds like there’s already some strife in the family!
According to Variety, the House of Hightowers, including Rhys Ifans’ character Otto Hightower (Notting Hill, Snowden), and the devoted Hand of the King, will make an appearance.
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Daemon, played by Matt Smith, is thought to be a threat to him. As Otto’s eldest daughter Alicent, Olivia Cooke (The Sound of Metal, Bates Motel) will portray her, a “political insider” who grew up in the Red Keep.
It appears that some of the characters’ backstories will be revealed as well. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower’s teenage doppelgängers were cast in July 2021. There will be a little Emma D’Arcy on Upright, and there will be a mini Olivia Cooke on Casualty and Wonder Woman, both played by Milly Alcock.
Because these characters will be appearing again, it’s possible that we’ll meet other members of their family who were younger when they were cast.
Additionally, Sonoya Mizuno and Fabien Frankel have been cast as characters in the series’ main cast. Mizuno will portray Daemon’s No. 1 buddy Mysaria, a woman who “came to Westeros with nothing” and rose to become the future heir’s right-hand counsel.
History does not remember blood. It remembers names.
August 21. #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/kceXXu1zfY— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) May 5, 2022
Ser Criston Cole, played by Frankel, is “of Dornish descent” and “son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven,” according to Variety. It’s thought he’s an excellent swordsman, despite the fact that his name isn’t very well known.
Even more cast members were added in September 2021 by Deadline, some of whom would be familiar to Game of Thrones viewers thanks to their roles in the show. One actor portraying a Lannister is Jefferson Hall (Devs). Lord Jason Lannister (Lord of Casterly Rock) and Ser Tyland Lannister (politician) are twins, therefore he’s essentially portraying two Lannisters.
Viserys council is now complete except for Hall and a few other newcomers. The Lord of Honeyholt and Viserys’ Master of Coin, Bill Paterson (Fleabag), David Horovitch (Miss Marple), and Gavin Spokes (Brexit) will all take on the roles of Viserys’ “trusted advisors” and “voices of reason,” respectively, in the next film.
Ser Harwin “Breakbones Strong” (Ryan Corr) and Larys (Matthew Needham), sons of Lyonel Strongs, will also be introduced. On top of all that, Outlander star Graham McTavish will portray Ser Harrold Westerlin, who “has served in the Kingsguard since Jaehaerys’s reign.”
How Many Episodes of House of the Dragon Are There in Total?
The first season will consist of 10 episodes, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Considering that’s what Game of Thrones used for its first six seasons, that seems like a good number.
Will There Be Dragons?
There’s no doubt about it! The Targaryens have long been one of the few families with a lineage of dragon lords, so it’s safe to assume the majestic, fire-breathing CGI animals will return. At the end of 2020, HBO released concept art for the House of Dragons’ dragons, and they’re every bit the swashbuckling beasts that Daenerys’ Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion were.
Confidante to Daemon Targaryen.#Mysaria#HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/nYO8A8kr53
— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) May 5, 2022
Other Game of Thrones Spin-offs Are They in the Works at This Time?
In light of HBO’s denial of a series order for a Naomi Watts-starring prequel, it has become less apparent which of the other spinoffs are still in the running. Even though HBO has enormous aspirations to effectively become an All Westeros, All the Time network, fans don’t have to worry about it anymore.
Since Deadline first reported in early 2021 that HBO plans to run many episodes based on George RR Martin’s world, it’s possible that HBO will become a hub for multiple shows based on Martin’s world in the future.
The Hollywood Reporter stated in March 2021 that the other three are prequels concerning the House of Velaryon, Princess Nymeria, and the Flea Bottom slum of King’s Landing. Despite the fact that all of the series are in their infancy, THR was able to shed some light on what to expect.
The House Velaryon series, tentatively titled 9 Voyages and directed by Bruce Heller (Pennyworth, Gotham), will continue the story of Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake. The character appears in both House of the Dragon and this one, thus it’s feasible that the program will air first and even be a spin-off of that one.
10,000 Ships is the working title for the show about Princess Nymeria in the Flea Bottom series. Because it’s set 1,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones, it’s likely to be the most unique of the upcoming projects. Those who are familiar with the books know that the story of the legendary warrior queen as she established the realm of Dorne will be the centerpiece of the next television series.
Then there’s the possibility of a Thrones animated series, which Deadline says could happen in the future. “Really, really embryonic” negotiations between writers and animators have been revealed, so don’t get too excited about witnessing a 2D bloodbath anytime soon, according to the report.
That’s a lot of Game of Thrones-inspired television to look forward to, but at least we have House of the Dragon to tide us through. For more updates do follow our website leedaily.com
