David Farnor | On 22, Jul 2022

“I placed my hand on the iron throne and all the dragons roared as one…” That’s the sound of Sky Atlantic and HBO returning to Westeros for Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, and a new trailer gives us a closer look at the series.

The 10-part series, based on George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood, is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. It stars Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Sonoya Mizuno, Fabien Frankel and Rhys Ifans. You can see them in action on Monday 22nd August, when the series premieres on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW, with episodes arriving weekly and most likely simulcast at 2am alongside their US debut. Until then, here’s the trailer, which promises a familiar blend of political machinations and medieval-style action. Oh, and dragons. Don’t forget the dragons.

 

Watch: New teaser trailer for House of the Dragon

5th May 2022

“What is this brief mortal life if not the pursuit of legacy?” That’s the sound of Matt Smith entering the Game of Thrones universe in House of the Dragon – and a new trailer gives us a proper look at the prequel series.

The 10-episode series is based George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood and set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It tells the story of House Targaryen. Emma D’Arcy stars as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child of pure Valyrian blood. Smith co-stars as Prince Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. They are joined by Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon (“The Sea Snake”), Lord of House Velaryon, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower.

You can see them in action when the series premieres on Monday 22nd August on Sky Atlantic and NOW, with episodes arriving at the same time as their US broadcast each week.

Here’s the new video:

 

House of the Dragon lands on Sky this August

30th March 2022

House of the Dragon will officially land on UK TV this August, with the Game of Thrones prequel set to air on Sky Atlantic and NOW.

The 10-episode series is based George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood and set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It tells the story of House Targaryen.

Emma D’Arcy stars as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child of pure Valyrian blood. She is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Matt Smith co-stars 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…

They are joined by Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon (“The Sea Snake”), Lord of House Velaryon and the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, who considers the greatest threat to the realm to be the king’s brother, Daemon, and Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, who possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

You can see them in action when the series premieres on Monday 22nd August on Sky Atlantic and NOW, with episodes arriving at the same time as their US broadcast each week.

Until then, here are some new images:

 

Watch: First trailer for House of the Dragon

5th October 2021

“Dreams didn’t make us kings. Dragons did.” That’s the sound of Game of Thrones returning to our screens in HBO’s new prequel series, House of the Dragon – and a new trailer gives a first glimpse of the show in action.

Based on George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series is which is set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen.

Emma D’Arcy stars as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child of pure Valyrian blood. She is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Matt Smith co-stars 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…

They are joined by Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon (“The Sea Snake”), Lord of House Velaryon and the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, who considers the greatest threat to the realm to be the king’s brother, Daemon, and Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, who possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

The series will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK in 2022.

 

First look: New House Of The Dragon images

6th May 2021

HBO and Sky Atlantic have unveiled the first images of House of the Dragon, the new Game of Thrones prequel.

The series, based on George RR Martin’s book Fire and Blood, takes place 300 years before the events of HBO’s fantasy saga and tells the story of House Targaryen.

The star-studded cast includes Paddy Considine, Eve Best and Sonoya Mizuno. Now, we’ve got our first look at some of the other big names taking on key figures in Games of Thrones history, complete with blonde Targaryen wigs.

The first image features 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.

She is pictured with 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.

Also released is a photo of 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.

The final image shows us Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower. The daughter of 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.

Alongside her is Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. 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.

Production is underway, with the series set to debut on Sky Atlantic in the UK in 2022.

 

House of the Dragon: Rhys Ifans joins Game of Thrones prequel

13th February 2021

Rhys Ifans is leading the latest big names to join the case of Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon.

The series, which is co-created by Ryan Condal and George RR Martin, takes place 300 years before Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen.

Paddy Considine was cast in one of its lead roles last year as King Viserys I. About 100 years after Aegon’s Conquest, Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed Jaehaerys Targaryen, the Old King, on the Great Council at Harrenhal. His aim in life is to carry on his grandfather’s legacy, but Viserys’ children – Rhaenyra and Aegon II – ultimately go on to fight a civil war known as the Dance of Dragons.

Olivia Cooke will play Alicent Hightower, daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King. Raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle, she has a keen political acumen. Matt Smith will play Prince Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, he possesses the blood of the dragon. They are joined by Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (D’Arcy), the king’s first-born child who is of pure Valyrian blood.

Now, they’ve got some more company, with Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) cast as Otto Hightower. Also joining the cast is Steve Toussaint (Small Axe, It’s a Sin) in the key role of Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros. Eve Best (Nurse Jackie, The Honorable Woman) has also been cast as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, a dragon rider and wife to Lord Corlys. Finally, Sonoya Mizuno (Devs) will play Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing and has become an ally of Prince Daemon.

Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal will serve as showrunners, with Condal writing and Sapochnik directing the pilot and other episodes. Clare Kilner, Geeta V Patel and Greg Yaitanes will round out the directing team.

 

Game of Thrones: Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke join House of the Dragon cast

13th December 2020

Matt Smith and Olivia Cooke are the latest star names to join the cast of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon.

The series, which is co-created by Ryan Condal and George RR Martin, takes place 300 years before Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen.

Paddy Considine was reportedly cast in one of its lead roles earlier this year as King Viserys I. About 100 years after Aegon’s Conquest, Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed Jaehaerys Targaryen, the Old King, on the Great Council at Harrenhal. His aim in life is to carry on his grandfather’s legacy, but Viserys’ children – Rhaenyra and Aegon II – ultimately go on to fight a civil war known as the Dance of Dragons.

Now, Considine reportedly has some on-screen company, with Cooke set to play Alicent Hightower, daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King. Raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle, she possesses has a keen political acumen. Matt Smith will play Prince Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, he possesses the blood of the dragon.

They will be joined by Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (D’Arcy), the king’s first-born child who is of pure Valyrian blood.

Deadline reports that there is one more key role yet to be cast: Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, with Penny Dreadful’s Danny Sapani in talks for the part.

Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal will serve as showrunners, with Condal writing and Sapochnik directing the pilot and other episodes. Clare Kilner, Geeta V Patel and Greg Yaitanes will round out the directing team.

 

Paddy Considine joins Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon

6th October 2020

Paddy Considine has joined the cast of HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel.

Called House of the Dragon, the series is co-created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin. It takes place 300 years before Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal will serve as showrunners, with Condal writing and Sapochnik directing the pilot and other episodes.

Now, Variety reports the project has found its first cast member: Paddy Considine, who will play King Viserys I. About 100 years after Aegon’s Conquest, Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed Jaehaerys Targaryen, the Old King, on the Great Council at Harrenhal. His aim in life is to carry on his grandfather’s legacy, but, as the official character description warns, good men do not necessarily make for great kings. Viserys’ children – Rhaenyra and Aegon II – ultimately go on to fight a civil war known as the Dance of Dragons.

Considine is no stranger to HBO, having starred in The Outsider and also appeared in The Third Day, a programme co-produced by HBO and Sky Studios.

HBO has given the series a 10-episode order and it is likely to arrive on our screens in 2022.

 

House of the Dragon: HBO orders Game of Thrones prequel series

30th October 2019

HBO has officially ordered a new prequel series to Game of Thrones – but not the one you think.

Ever since it was confirmed that Game of Thrones was ending this year, HBO has been looking to fill the ratings void with another talked-about TV series. Last year, a pilot was ordered for a prequel series set thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, chronicling the world’s descent from the golden Age of Heroes into its darkest hour. Jane Goldman was the showrunner with Naomi Watts attached to star. Now, though, HBO has picked up a prequel to series, but quietly appears to have pushed that project off the table.

Instead, HBO is going ahead with House of the Dragon. Co-created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, HBO has given a 10-episode, straight-to-series order.

Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal will partner as showrunners and will also serve as executive producers along with George R.R. Martin and Vince Gerardis, it was announced at WarnerMedia Day by Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming.

Based on Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series is set 300 years before Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. Miguel Sapochnik will direct the pilot and additional episodes. Condal and Sapochnik will partner as showrunners on the series, which will be written by Condal.

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

The series marks Sapochnik’s first project as part of an HBO overall deal where he will develop and produce content for both HBO and HBO Max. Sapochnik won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series as well as the DGA Award for the Game of Thrones episode Battle of The Bastards. He was nominated for another Emmy® in 2019 for directing the episode The Long Night and won the Emmy for Best Drama Series as an Executive Producer for the final season.

Condal was the co-creator and showrunner of Colony for three seasons. He was the writer of MGM’s Hercules and is currently adapting the graphic novel Analog as a feature.

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