So much for breaking that wheel! HBO is rolling back to Westeros history with its highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon. The epic fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin’s 2018 novel Fire & Blood won’t air until next year, but today we’re getting a first look at some of the show’s key players.
Executive produced by Martin and showrunner Ryan Condal and set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will tell the story of House Targaryen, ancestors of Thrones’s Daenerys (Emilia Clarke)—aka Khaleesi, aka Mother of Dragons, aka white savior lady, aka the one who slept with her nephew. In Martin’s novels, the Targaryens arrived in Westeros astride their dragons, conquering the continent which they then ruled for centuries, as their motto goes, with fire and blood.
In the series, Emma D’Arcy plays Princess Rhaenyra, the Targaryen king’s eldest child. According to HBO’s description, “Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.” She’s also described as having “pure Valyrian blood,” which is probably code for “she’s inbred.” As the heir to the throne, Matt Smith’s Prince Daemon sounds like he could be either an ally or a serious rival to his niece Rhaenyra.
Daemon is also seen as a major threat to the realm, at least by the Hand of the King, Rhys Ifan’s Otto Hightower. He and daughter Alicent (Olivia Cooke) reside in the Red Keep amongst the king’s innermost circle of courtiers and advisers. Alicent (what even are these names?) is described as one of the most beautiful women in the Seven Kingdoms—and one of its most keen political minds.
Apparently, dragons are as at home in the water as they are in the air. At least that seems to be the case for Steve Toussaint’s nautical adventurer Lord Corlys Velaryon, aka “The Sea Snake.” Commanding the largest navy in this world, Lord Corlys’s house eclipses even the Lannisters in its wealth.
And yes, according to the official Game of Thrones Twitter account, there will be dragons!
Dragons are coming.#HouseoftheDragon begins production in 2021. pic.twitter.com/Bxl763FVdY
— Game of Thrones (@GameOfThrones) December 3, 2020
