From August on Sky
The “Game of Thrones” successor is coming in the summer: That’s what “House of the Dragon” is about
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicen Hightower (Olivia Cooke).
© Ollie Upton/HBO
At the end of August the time has finally come: More than three years after the finale of “Game of Thrones” there are new stories from the world of cult author George RR Martin.
Rarely has a television series inspired so many people worldwide as “Game of Thrones” – at least up to a certain point, because the end of the series has not remained in good memory for many fans. After more than three years of waiting, the prequel “House of the Dragon”, a film adaptation of the book “Fire and Blood” by author George RR Martin, who also had a say in the script for the series, will premiere on August 21st.
What is House of the Dragon about?
The action of the series takes place around 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones” and revolves around the House of Targaryen, which “Game of Thrones” fans should know above all for Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons. In “House of the Dragon” the Targaryen family rule the country, also with the help of dragons, of course.
King Viserys Targaryen wishes his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen to succeed him to the throne. However, his second wife, Alicent Hightower, demands that their son Aegon II Targaryen be allowed to take over the rule. As the third heir to the throne, Prince Daemon Targaryen, brother of the king, also lays claim to the crown.
Although the king manages to prevent an escalation of family disputes during his lifetime, the king’s death triggers a civil war, known to readers of the books as “Dance of the Dragons”.
The course of this war is a theme in House of the Dragon, as is the history of the Targaryen family, who ruled Westeros for nearly 300 years. Because to consolidate her power, she maintains the tradition of incestuous marriages, which repeatedly leads to major problems.
Many new faces, author enthusiastic
The actors of the series are, also according to the book author, relatively unknown. King Viserys Targaryen is played by Paddy Considine (“Macbeth”, “The Outsider”), his right-hand man Alicent Hightower is played by Olivia Cooke (“Sound of Metal”, “Ouija”). Also starring are Emma D’Arcy (“Truth Seekers”, “Wanderlust”), Matt Smith (“Party Animals”, “Doctor Who”), Steve Toussaint (“CSI:Miami”, “Prince of Persia”) and Eve Best (“Nurse Jackie”, “The King’s Speech”).
George RR Martin thinks fans “will love” the new series. He explains on his website: “I think the Targaryens are in very good hands. Look forward to the future. I don’t think you will be disappointed.” Regarding the first episode, which he has already seen in the rough cut, he writes: “I love it. It’s dark, it’s powerful, it’s deep… just like I love my epic fantasy. Ryan and Miguel (the producers of the Series, editor’s note) have done a great job.”
Where can you see “House of the Dragon”?
The series runs, like “Game of Thrones”, on the American provider HBO, or its streaming platform HBO Max. However, viewers in Germany do not have access to this, because in Germany Sky has long-term contracts with HBO and thus also shows “House of the Dragon” exclusively – at least parallel to the first broadcast in the USA.
On the night of August 22, Sky Q subscribers and buyers of a Sky Entertainment ticket will have access to the first episode, which will also be shown in the Sky Atlantic program in the evening. According to Sky, the series wants to be offered either in the original version or with German dubbed voices. The first season of “House of the Dragon” will consist of ten episodes, the length of the episodes is not yet known.