House of the Dragon is an American fantasy drama television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. A prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), it is the second television series in the Game of Thrones franchise. Based on parts of Martin's 2018 book Fire & Blood, the series begins about 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms are united by the Targaryen conquest, nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. Featuring an ensemble cast, the show portrays the events leading up to the decline of House Targaryen, a devastating war of succession known as the "Dance of the Dragons".
House of the Dragon received a straight-to-series order in October 2019, with Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik serving as showrunners. The series premiered on August 21, 2022, with the first season consisting of ten episodes. The series was renewed for a second season five days after its premiere. Sapochnik departed as showrunner after the first season, leaving Condal as the sole showrunner for the second season. The second season premiered on June 16, 2024, with eight episodes. The series was renewed for a third season in June 2024, which premiered on June 21, 2026, and consists of eight episodes. A fourth and final season is in development and expected to be released in 2028.
The premiere of House of the Dragon was watched by over 10 million viewers across the linear channels and HBO Max on the first day, the biggest in HBO's history. The series has received positive reviews. It won a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama, while Emma D'Arcy earned two nominations for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama. It earned nine Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, and won three British Academy Television Craft Awards.
Cast and characters
Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen (season 1; uncredited season 2): The fifth king of the Seven Kingdoms. Known as "a warm, kind, and decent man", Viserys was chosen by a council of lords to succeed his grandfather, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, as king. Viserys is the firstborn son of Jaehaerys's second son Baelon Targaryen and his sister-wife Alyssa Targaryen. He is a former dragonrider who was bonded to the dragon Balerion, also known as "The Black Dread", and was its last rider before its death. Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen: The younger brother of Viserys and uncle/second husband of Rhaenyra Targaryen. Known as the "Rogue Prince" for his unpredictable behavior, Daemon is a fierce warrior and wields the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister. He is a formidable dragonrider who is bonded to the dragon Caraxes, also known as the "Blood Wyrm". Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen: Viserys's daughter and heir apparent, the firstborn and only surviving child of Viserys and his first wife, Aemma Arryn. She was praised as the "Realm's Delight" during her youth. She is crowned queen by her supporters, the "Blacks", after her step-mother and former friend, Alicent Hightower, usurped the throne for her own sonRhaenyra's half-brother, by claiming that Viserys changed his successor with his dying breath. She is a dragonrider who is bonded to the dragon Syrax. Milly Alcock (season 1; guest season 2) portrays a younger version of the character. Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower (seasons 1–2; uncredited season 3): Alicent's father and Viserys's Hand of the King. He continues to hold his position under Aegon II Targaryen until being replaced by Criston Cole. When his daughter became queen, Otto began plotting to put her eldest son Aegon on the Iron Throne, instead of Rhaenyra. Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon: The Lord of Driftmark and head of House Velaryon, one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the Seven Kingdoms. Known as "the Sea Snake", he is the most famous seafarer in Westerosi history. He serves as Viserys's Master of Ships until his resignation and later serves as Rhaenyra's Hand of the Queen. Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen (seasons 1–2): Viserys and Daemon's cousin and the wife of Corlys. Rhaenys is the only child of Aemon Targaryen, Jaehaerys's late heir apparent and oldest son, and Jocelyn Baratheon, Jaehaerys's half-sister. Known as the "Queen Who Never Was", she was once a candidate to succeed her grandfather as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms but was passed over in favor of her younger cousin Viserys due to her gender. She is a formidable dragonrider who is bonded to the dragon Meleys, also known as the "Red Queen". Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria: A foreign-born brothel dancer who rose to become Daemon's paramour and most trusted confidante until they parted ways. She is later known as the "White Worm" and commands a network of spies throughout King's Landing and serves as Rhaenyra's Mistress of Whisperers. Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole (seasons 1–3): A skilled common-born swordsman from the Dornish Marches, who is hand-picked by Rhaenyra to become a member of Viserys's Kingsguard. He later replaces Harrold Westerling as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard following Aegon's ascension, and also replaces Otto as Aegon's Hand of the King. Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower: Rhaenyra's childhood companion and later the second wife and queen consort of Viserys. She is raised in the Red Keep as part of the King's inner circle and is known as the comeliest woman in the court. Emily Carey (season 1) portrays a younger version of the character. Graham McTavish as Harrold Westerling (season 1): A seasoned knight of the Kingsguard who has served the Crown since the reign of Jaehaerys. He replaces Ryam Redwyne as the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and later resigns from his position following Aegon's ascension. Matthew Needham as Larys Strong: The younger son of Lyonel Strong, he is known as "Clubfoot" due to a birth abnormality that causes him to walk with a limp. He is Alicent's trusted confidant and serves as the Lord Confessor and later Aegon's Master of Whisperers. He also succeeds his father as Lord of Harrenhal and head of House Strong. Jefferson Hall as identical twins: Jason Lannister (seasons 1–3): The Lord of Casterly Rock, head of House Lannister and Warden of the West. An arrogant hunter and a warrior, he unsuccessfully vies for Rhaenyra's hand. Tyland Lannister: Jason's younger twin brother and a cunning politician. He replaces Corlys as Viserys's Master of Ships and later switches position to replace Lyman Beesbury as Aegon's Master of Coin. Harry Collett as Jacaerys ("Jace") Velaryon (seasons 1–3): The firstborn son of Rhaenyra and her first husband, Laenor Velaryon, and Rhaenyra's heir apparent. He is a dragonrider who is bonded to the young dragon Vermax. Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen: The sixth king of the Seven Kingdoms. He is the firstborn son of Viserys and Alicent, half-brother to Rhaenyra, and husband to his sister-wife Helaena Targaryen. Despite the best efforts of his mother, his hedonism and depravity are legendary in King's Landing's Street of Silk. He is crowned king after his supporters, the "Greens", plotted to have him usurp the throne. He is a dragonrider who is bonded to the young dragon Sunfyre. Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen: The thirdborn child and second son of Viserys and Alicent. He is known as "Aemond One-Eye" after losing his left eye in a brawl with his nephews and has grown to become a fearsome and aggressive warrior. He aspires to be a dragonrider and later claims the old dragon Vhagar, also known as the "Queen of All Dragons". Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen: The elder daughter of Daemon and Laena Velaryon. She is a dragonrider who is bonded to the young dragon Moondancer. Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen: The younger daughter of Daemon and Laena. She later becomes a dragonrider after claiming the wild dragon Sheepstealer. Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen (seasons 1–3): The secondborn child and only daughter of Viserys and Alicent, sister-wife of Aegon, and mother to his children. She has a unique interest in bugs and often speaks in cryptic prophetic language. She is a dragonrider who is bonded to the dragon Dreamfyre. Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle (season 2–present; recurring season 1): A maester of the Citadel who replaces Mellos as Viserys's Grand Maester and continues to hold his position under Aegon and later under Rhaenyra. Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer (season 2–present): A blacksmith from King's Landing who struggles to care for his sick daughter. He later reveals himself to be a Targaryen bastard, the son of Saera Targaryen, a daughter of Jaehaerys. He later becomes a dragonrider after claiming the dragon Vermithor, also known as "The Bronze Fury". Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull (season 2–present): Corlys's bastard son and a sailor in the Velaryon fleet who saved his father's life in the Stepstones. Tom Taylor as Cregan Stark (season 2): The young Lord of Winterfell, head of House Stark and Warden of the North. Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull (season 2–present): Corlys's bastard son, Alyn's younger brother, and a shipwright in the Velaryon fleet. He later becomes a dragonrider after he is pursued by the dragon Seasmoke, who chooses Addam to be his dragonrider. Tom Bennett as Ulf White (season 2–present): A denizen of King's Landing who claims to be a Targaryen bastard and the half-brother of Viserys and Daemon. He later becomes a dragonrider after claiming the dragon Silverwing. Ellora Torchia as Kat (seasons 2–3): Hugh's wife and mother to their daughter. Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower (season 2–present): The son of Otto and older brother of Alicent. Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers (season 2–present): A mysterious witch at Harrenhal in service to House Strong. Simon Russell Beale as Simon Strong (seasons 2–3): The great-uncle of Larys and the castellan of Harrenhal. James Norton as Ormund Hightower (season 3): The Lord of Oldtown and head of House Hightower and cousin of Alicent and Gwayne. Joplin Sibtain as Jon Roxton (season 3): A knight of House Roxton serving under Ormund. Tommy Flanagan as Roderick Dustin (season 3): The Lord of Barrowton and head of House Dustin. He also serves as the leader of the Winter Wolves, an army of aging men from the North who expect to die in combat. Dan Fogler as Torrhen Manderly (season 3): A knight of House Manderly who serves as Rhaenyra's Master of Coin. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Daeron Targaryen (season 3): The youngest child of Viserys and Alicent who serves as Ormund's ward. He is a dragonrider who is bonded to the young dragon Tessarion.
Episodes
Season 1 (2022)
Season 2 (2024)
Season 3 (2026)
Production Development
In 2015, with Game of Thrones still in production, HBO executives approached A Song of Ice and Fire writer George R. R. Martin regarding possible successors or spin-offs to the series. In November 2018, Martin stated that a "potential spin-off series would be solidly based on material in Fire & Blood." Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss stated they wanted to "move on" from the franchise and declined involvement in subsequent projects. By September 2019, a Game of Thrones prequel series from Martin and Ryan Condal that "tracks the beginning of the end for House Targaryen" was close to receiving a pilot order from HBO.
In October 2019, House of the Dragon was given a straight-to-series order. Condal and Miguel Sapochnik, who won an Emmy Award for directing the episode "Battle of the Bastards", were selected to serve as showrunners. In 2016, Condal pitched the idea of a series based on Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg, however HBO initially passed on it. The series begins 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, ultimately leading to the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. The project is a reworking of the rejected spin-off concept from Game of Thrones writer Bryan Cogman, on which HBO officially passed.