House of the Dragon has joined a growing list of Game of Thrones prequels and spinoffs, including 10,000 Ships, The Nine Voyages, Flea Bottom, and even Tales of Dunk and Egg, but House of the Dragon is now that much closer to reality thanks to these preview shots.
In a series of photos posted on the official House of the Dragon Twitter account, we see Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), then Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), and finally Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans).
The show will also star Paddy Considine (King Viserys Targaryen), Fabien Frankel (Criston Cole), Eve Best (Rhaenys Velaryon), and Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria).
Set 300 years before Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the story of House Targaryen, its origins, and eventual collapse. Fans who've watched the show but haven't read Fire & Blood (the novel series on which the show is based) will gain additional insight into the Targaryen lineage leading to Daenerys Targaryen and her ascension as the Mother of Dragons.
We're not entirely clear if the show will follow the same narrative as Game of Thrones, but we do know episodes will explain topics such as the origins of the other great houses, the construction of King's Landing, as well as the Dance of Dragons civil war. Deadline confirms that one of the first episodes will revolve around Lord Corlys Velaryon--better known as the Sea Snake--and how he becomes Hand to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons.
Filming began last month for a 10-episode season that's scheduled to air later in 2022. Game of Thrones veteran Miguel Sapochnik returns to direct the series, with Ryan Condal writing the script. Franchise creator George R.R. Martin is listed as executive producer along with Sara Lee Hess, Vince Gerardis, and Ron Schmidt.