Buckle up Game of Thrones fans, the trailer to House of the Dragon has finally arrived.
Well, it's only a teaser trailer — but, it's the closest look at the spin-off series we've had in some months. The prequel series, which was first announced nearly two years ago, is based on George R. R. Martin's novel, Fire and Blood.
While it's set in the Game of Thrones universe, it takes place around two hundred years before the events of GoT, and centres around the history of the Targaryen family.
What do we learn in the teaser trailer?
While we don't learn much about the plot in the one minute trailer, fans were given a look at some of the upcoming series' key characters.
We see Matt Smith playing Prince Daemon Targaryen, Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, and Olivia Cooke as Alice Hightower — amid many references to dragons, and of course, fighting.
'House of the Dragon' Plot
House of the Dragon will chart the rise of the House of Targaryen, following Aegon's Conquest. It will focus on a very famous event in Westeros history — the Dance of the Dragons — that is, the civil war between siblings, Aegon II and Rhaenyra, as they fought for the throne, following the death of their father, Viserys I.
While Rhaenyra was her father's favourite child, a conspiracy including the Houses' lords, leads to her brother, Aegon II, being appointed king. However, Rhaenyra is not one to back down.
An epic dynastic fallout ensues, which entangles all of the other Westeros Houses, including the Starks and the Lannisters — who have their own respective loyalties. Expect to see the rise and fall of the famous Targaryen dragons, too.
Who is in the 'House of the Dragon' cast?
HBO has now provided a full list of the upcoming show's cast, alongside character descriptions.
Read on for more details...
Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen
"Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen. Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal. A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy, but as we’ve learned from Game of Thrones, good men do not necessarily make for great kings."
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
"She’s the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen."
Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
"The king’s first-born child. She is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragon rider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything…but she was not born a man.
Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
"The younger brother of King Viserys and heir to the throne, Daemon is a peerless warrior and a dragon rider who possesses the true blood of the dragon. But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…"
Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon aka 'The Sea Snake'
"The lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen, “The Sea Snake,” is the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros. He built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world."
Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon
"A dragon rider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, "The Queen Who Never Was" was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favoured her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male."
Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower
"The Hand of the King, who loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king's brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne."
Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
"She came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall, and could have wilted...but instead she rose to become the most trusted — and most unlikely — ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne."
Other cast members include Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Milly Alcock as Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Emily Carey as play Young Alicent Hightower, Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin ‘Breakbones’ Strong, Jefferson Hall as twins Lord Jason Lannister and Tyland Lannister, David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos, Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling, Matthew Needham as Larys Strong, Bill Paterson plays Lord Lyman Beesbury, and finally, Gavin Spokes plays Lord Lyonel Strong.
When is the 'House of the Dragon' release date?
In the teaser trailer, HBO confirmed that the 10 episode series will land on our screens in 2022.
As of yet, we have no official date. However, bearing in mind that filming only began last spring, it seems likely that House of the Dragon will begin streaming in the latter half of the year.