Going from one of the most renowned series of all time to one that you fear to utter in passing conversation is quite the achievement. Hence, our reluctance to get excited here.
Today HBO has released our first look at the cast of 'House of the Dragon'. The production company released three images, featuring what appears to be three shots taken by the beach.
The first of the three images show us Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy as Prince Daemon Targaryen and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Next up, Steve Toussaint will play Lord Corlys Velaryon, AKA The Sea Snake. Finally, Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans are pictured as Alicent and Otto Hightower.
Co-created by author George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal, 'House of the Dragon' will be set 300 years previously to events that unfold during the eight-seasons of 'Game of Thrones'. Condal's script for the pilot episode lead to a 10-episode first season being secured.
Martin's 'Fire & Blood' book is the source material used to flesh out the storyline here, which is more of an encyclopedic book than a fully-fledged novel. Based predominantly on House Targaryen, it documents the house's reign in Westeros, from Aegon I Targaryen's conquest to Aegon III's regency.
This HBO prequel series also stars Paddy Considine, Fabien Frankel, Eve Best and Sonoya Mizuno. No release date has been set for the series, except for some point in 2022.
'House of the Dragon' is the only 'GOT' series to officially make it to series. The Naomi Watts-led 'The Long Night'/'Bloodmoon' was axed after shooting the pilot in Belfast, and there have been rumblings of other potential spin-offs in the making.
'Tales of Dunk and Egg' is believed to be in the works at HBO, while a 'Game of Thrones' animated series is on the way - proving that HBO is taking full advantage of George R. R. Martin after signing a multi-million dollar deal with the author. George, we're still waiting on those two other 'A Song of Ice and Fire' books, don't forget.
