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HBO has finally unveiled official images for upcoming Game Of Thrones spinoff and prequel House of the Dragon. The show is being created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal and is based on Martin’s Fire & Blood, a history of Westeros and the Targaryens.

The upcoming fantasy epic takes place 300 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones and is set to air its first 10-episode season in 2022.

The images below have a distinctly Game of Thrones vibe to them. Much changes in 300 years but apparently not in the fashion department. We only see a handful of the cast members in these first three images, but it’s enough to give us a bit of hype for the upcoming show—though after the final season of Game Of Thrones, people are much less excited about this property than they’ve ever been.

Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen

Rhaenyra Targaryen was called the Half-Year Queen. She was a dragonrider, and her dispute with her younger half-brother Aegon II Targaryen over the Iron Throne sparked the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. I suppose we will see that play out in this show, which is pretty intriguing. A pretty major piece of Westerosi history and lore.

Daemon Targaryen is Rhaenyra’s second husband and also one of her relatives in the time honored tradition of the Targaryen line. His sword, named Dark Sister, was Valyrian steel. Daemon was also a dragon rider and one of the most skilled warriors of the age.

Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon

Also called the Sea Snake, Corlys Velaryon was a Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark and the head of House Velaryon. Married into the Targaryen family, he became Rhaenyra’s Hand.

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower

Otto Hightower was also a Hand, but to King JaehaerysI, Viserys I and finally Aegon II. Alicent was his daughter and second wife to King Viserys I and mother of several princes and a princess.

House of the Dragon is still a long ways off but I’m already excited to write about it. Writing about Game of Thrones was so much fun (until it wasn’t, until it was sad) and I miss it terribly. I’m not sure this show could possibly live up to the original, but just going back to that world and exploring more of its history sounds incredibly exciting. I suppose it will air before Winds of Winter is published.

I recently re-read the Dunk and Egg novellas and I’m excited for the adaptation of those as well. In some ways I wish Martin would just focus on those stories—a much more manageable task than the impossible one he’s set for himself with Winds and A Dream of Spring.

What about you? Are you looking forward to this show or did Season 8 of Thrones kill the hype for you? Let me know!

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Erik Kain

I write about TV shows like House Of The Dragon, The Witcher, The Rings Of Power, Stranger Things, Yellowjackets, Severance and many others. I also cover movies, video games, comic books and novels, largely in the fantasy, science-fiction, horror and superhero genres. Some of my favorite video games to play and write about include Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Call Of Duty, XCOM, Mass Effect, Titanfall, The Witcher and many other action, RPG and shooter games. My favorite films include Braveheart, Tropic Thunder, Arsenic and Old Lace, Schindler's List and far too many others to list here. I often discuss the "pop culture wars" and how shifting cultural values impact our art and entertainment. I prefer deep conversations and debate to shouting matches, and welcome readers from all walks of life and all religious and political backgrounds to join in this conversation. Thanks for reading!

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