Fear not, we’re here to help. The “Game of Thrones” spinoff series, “House of the Dragon,” premieres Sunday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. on HBO and HBO Max. Set around 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones’, it follows the Targaryen family (the ancestors of Daenerys and Jon Snow) through a civil war. The prequel also sheds some light on why Dany and Jon end up as the last Targaryens left standing, and why Dany’s trio of dragons were the last three in a world that was once full of them. Here’s everything you need to know about “House of the Dragon.”
The plot
This show is based on George RR Martin’s book “Fire & Blood”, which tells the (fictional) history of the Targaryens. This gives the show more room to fill in some character motivations that are bare on the page. It also means that because these events are in the “past” of this world, if you want to know how these characters will eventually die (or in some cases, disappear to be presumed dead) we won’t spoil their fates — but these information is out there if you choose to look for it. King Viserys (Paddy Considine) in “House of the Dragon”. APEmma D’Arcy as an older version of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen after a time jump in the show. Photo by Ollie Upton/HBO The main story is a civil war between Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother, Aegon II, in which one of them will succeed their father, Viserys I, to the throne. So once again, just like “GoT,” this is a showdown over who gets to sit in the uncomfortable pointy chair. But this pits sister against brother and dragon against dragon. Remember how bad the war got in ‘GoT’ when Daenerys brought her dragons? In this, both sides have the beasts. But the show won’t throw the war at us right away, it will trace the events leading up to it. It will begin with Viserys (Paddy Considine) on the throne contemplating his line of succession, before Aegon II is even born, when Rhaenyra is just a young teenager (played by Milly Alcock in the early episodes and Emma D’Arcy later from a time jump). Expect lots of palace intrigue and political scheming. And expect it to cover a longer time span than “GoT,” with more time jumps than the previous show had. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock), one of the main characters in “House of the Dragon”. Photo by Ollie Upton / HBOMatt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, main character in “House of the Dragon.” AP
The world
This is the world of Westeros with a lot of familiar visuals from “Game of Thrones,” but instead of jumping into all its corners, we focus on King’s Landing (and a bit of Dragonstone) and the silvery, bloodthirsty Targaryen family. You can also expect to see a lot more dragons. Daenerys’ three dragons were a novelty in “Game of Thrones” that everyone clamored for and followed. In this age of Westeros, dragons are a dime a dozen.
The main players
The main characters are King Viserys I (Considine). his treacherous brother Daemon (Matt Smith) and the king’s daughter, Rhaenyra (Alcock and D’Arcy), who is more or less attached to her uncle Daemon, and who tries to be the first woman on the Iron Throne long before her offspring, Daenerys. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) in the throne room with her father, King Viserys (Paddy Considine). Photo by Ollie Upton / HBOOtto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) in “House of the Dragon”. Courtesy of HBOLord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) in “House of the Dragon.” Outside of their immediate family, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is the Hand of the King — he’s the king’s closest advisor and hates Daemon. His daughter – Alicent (played by Emily Carey young and Olivia Cooke after a time jump), who starts out as Rhaenyra’s friend – will be a crucial character in the developing civil war. And Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) is also a powerful ally of some of these characters. “House of the Dragon” premieres Sunday, August 21 at 9:00 PM on HBO and HBO Max.
