Game of Thrones fans, our watch begins anew starting this August, with the release of House of the Dragon.
The prequel, set 200 years before Game of Thrones, focuses on everyone’s favorite extremely blonde, incest-y, dragon-riding family: the Targaryens. Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, House of the Dragon will focus on the reign of King Viserys (Paddy Considine), and the ensuing Targaryen civil war, also known as the Dance of the Dragons.
We can see hints of discord within the Targaryen family in the first teaser for the series, which reveals that Viserys chose his daughter Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) as his heir. The idea of a woman ascending the Iron Throne — which looks awesome and scary as hell in the trailer — does not appeal to all of Westeros, so Rhaenyra and her allies will have to fight to ensure her claim. The teaser introduces other new characters, including Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).
Which of these characters will prove to be the most scheming? Will any of them survive? Only one thing is certain based on the teaser and its quick dragon cameo: there will be fire and blood.
House of the Dragon premieres Aug. 21 on HBO and HBO Max.
