Game of Thrones fans have got an exciting time ahead of them: though the main series ended in 2019 to a lot of fanfare, Westeros still has a lot in store for us: HBO has several projects lined up meaning we’ll be journeying back into George R.R. Martin’s world soon. This year, that return will be realised with House of the Dragon, a prequel series focusing on the titular House Targaryen, the ruling house of Westeros for 300 years until its downfall nearly two centuries before the start of the series. But it’s also been confirmed that a separate sequel series is now in the works- with Kit Harrington returning.
When GOT finally came to an end after close to a decade of being one of the TV landscape’s biggest staples, it was one of the biggest events of 2019. Though the final stretch of episodes faced a fair bit of criticism from fans and critics, the world HBO had so vividly realised for television still has a dedicated following, and fans are hoping the new prequel series will allow for a fresh slate to build on.
Considering GOT‘s pedigree in the entertainment industry, it’s no shock that the new show has gathered up an impressive cast to don flowing robes, fancy wigs and stern facial expressions: Paddy Considine plays the role of King Viserys I Targaryen, Fifth King of the Seven Kingdoms. Matt Smith meanwhile is playing rince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother of the king and considered heir presumptive to the throne, while Rhys Ifans is Ser Otto Hightower, a member of the king’s court and a bitter rival of Daemon.
Rounding out the cast is relative unknown Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Steve Toussiant as seafarer Lord Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, and Olivia Cooke as Lady Alicent Hightowerer, daughter of Ser Otto. The series began production only a few months after the end of GOT, and filming began in 2021. Plotwise, it’ll chronicle the downfall of the House of Taragaryen, and the events of the civil war within the House, known as “The Dance of Dragons.”
The GOT sequel series, meanwhile, won’t see the light of day for some time, but is in the works at HBO as of this year. Kit Harrington is attached to reprise his role as one of the series’ most enduring and popular characters, Jon Snow, and the story will be set following the events at the end of the original show. It’ll likely explore his life following his exile north. There’s also several other shows in the pipeline from HBO, both live action and animated, but the unnamed sequel is sure to be the most talked about.
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON PREMIERES 21ST AUGUST ON HBO, SKY ATLANTIC AND NOW
