Image source: HBO
HBO is finally releasing The Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, after two year's worth of teasing!
What is the series about?
The plot follows the story of Targaryens, a dragon rearing house from George R.R. Martin's Fantasy series Fire and Blood. Taking you back about 200-300 before the events of Game of Thrones, the story tells all about the origin and rise of the great Targaryen House. The story covers the Dance of Dragons, the notorious civil war so often discussed through Game of Thrones.
Who's behind the scenes?
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The series is co-created by Martin and Ryan Condal along with Miguel Sapochnik, who is the showrunner. Sapochnik and Condal are also the executive producers of the spin-off series. The series is additionally produced by Martin, Vince Gerardis, Sara Lee Hess, and Ron Schmidt.
Sapochnik has already done great work with Game of Thrones and has an Emmys along with a DGA for his Battle of the Bastards episode. Further, the showrunner holds another Emmys nomination for The Long Night and an Emmys for Best Drama Series, the title which he shares with other producers of the finale.
Cast members
The series will feature The Third Day and The Outsiders' Paddy Considine, Truth Seekers' Emma D'arcy, The Crown's Matt Smith and Doctor Who's Steve Toussaint. Other cast members are Nurse Jackie's Eve Best, Notting Hills's Rhys Ifans, and Sonoya Mizuno from Crazy Rich Asians.
The cast as characters:
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Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen:
Viserys sets out to be the next king after Jaehaerys Targaryen to rule Westeros. He is chosen as the successor by the lords of Westeros at the Great Council at Harrenhal and wishes to rule as a fair and just king. But only time will tell if the good king lives up to his grandfather's legacy.
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
Introducing a new house to the Westeros community, Alicent Hightower is the daughter of otto Hightower. Her father is the Hand of the King, making Alicent a commonly known name in the country. Raised in the capital of Westeros, Alicent is quite aware of all the political ongoings in the state.
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Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Pure Valerian and the oldest of the king's children, Rhaenrya Targaryen, the Princess of Dragonstone, knows all about dragons and is a fine dragon rider herself. Though a princess, and a first-born at that, Rhaenya Targaryen doesn't enjoy great luck, probably because of her female status.
Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
Falling on the side of Targaryen blood that gave rise to the lore of mad Valerian kings and the saying that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…, Daemon comes next to Viserys. He is the heir to the Valerian throne, an unmatched soldier and a Targaryen who comes with a temper that sure makes him a Valerian with the blood of the dragon.
Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon
Lord Corlys Velaryon goes by 'The Sea Snake' and has claimed the waters as his companions. Famous for his sea journeys, the lord builds himself the largest navy in the world and wealth that puts Lannister gold to shame.
Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon
The princess is the wife of the Sea Snake and is a dragon rider. She is hailed as the "The Queen Who Never Was" just because the crown of the Great Council was passed over to her cousin, Viserys, a male.
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Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
Like most of the great Hands of the King that serve in Westeros, Otto Hightower has the foresight of sensing threat to the crown but possibly shares the same ill-fate which takes down the Hands.
Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
Destined for power, Mysaria began as a 'nothing' sold over and over again only to find herself in the company of the crown prince of Westeros, Daemon Targaryen, and a straight pathway to power.
Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
The Dornish Ser Criston is a lowly son of a steward born in the Blackhaven household with no claim to his esteemed House. He only has his honor and skill with a sword to help move him forward in life.
Milly Alcock as Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Milly is cast as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, but the younger version of the dragon-riding princess.
Emily Carey will play Young Alicent Hightower
Emily plays out the younger self of Alicent Hightower and follows along the lady's nurturing so close to the Red keep.
Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin' Breakbones' Strong
Ser Harwin has a name that can deflate the strongest of warriors and a reputation to match. Known as the strongest man to be in the Seven Kingdoms, Ser Harwin comes from the House of Master of Laws Lyonel Strong and is set to be the heir of the House one day.
Jefferson Hall is Lord Jason Lannister
Hall plays both the characters of the Lannister twins. As Lord Hason Lannister, he serves as the Lord of Casterly Rock, and as Tyland Lannister, he converts into a shrewd politician.
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Other cast members
Other characters are Grand Maester Mellos, played by David Horovitch, and also plays a trusted advisor beside the King's Hand. Graham McTavish is cast as Ser Harrold Westerling. Matthew Needham plays Larys Strong, the second son of Master of Laws Lyonel Strong and is introduced to the court by his father.
Lord Lyman Beesbury is played by Bill Paterson, the Master of Coin in the reign of King Viserys and is the Lord of Honeyholt. Lord Lyonel Strong, played by Gavin Spokes, also serves under King Viserys. He is the Lord of Harrenhal and the Master of Laws.
