Dragons, Deceit, & Danger Highlight Official “House of the Dragon” Trailer
“Men would sooner put the realm to the torch than see a woman ascend the Iron Throne.” This piece of brutal real talk is delivered to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock as a child, Emma Darcy as an adult) in the official teaser trailer for House of the Dragon, the first Game of Thrones prequel to make it through the development gauntlet and appear on HBO. For Game of Thrones fans, we know that, eventually, a woman will ascend to the Iron Throne, but the price she’ll pay, as well as that of the entire realm, will be brutal.
Based on George R. R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” series, House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the likes of Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow, Cersei Lannister, and the rest fought and died over the Throne in Game of Thrones. The series will explore the rise of Daenerys’ ancestors in the House Targaryen and will track how these volatile, often vicious dragonlords came to rule over Westeros, and the civil war that followed known as the ‘Dance of Dragons.’ The series comes from co-creators Ryan J. Condal and George R. R. Martin. Condal serves as co-showrunner along with Game of Thrones alum Miguel Sapochnik, who is also the director of the pilot and other episodes.
The teaser offers fresh glimpses at the palace intrigue, and one excellent final shot of Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) confronting one of his family’s dragons. Although House Targaryen is known for being able to harness and ride those majestic beasts, dragons are never fully tamed. Neither are the rest of the Houses in Westeros, which is why one of the most dangerous things a House can do is claim to rule them from the Iron Throne.
Check out the official trailer below. House of the Dragon premieres on HBO and HBO Max on August 21.
Here’s the official featured cast list from HBO:
Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen: The king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. 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 to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon 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, “The Sea Snake”: Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As “The Sea Snake,” the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower: 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.
Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower: The Hand of the King, Ser Otto 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.
Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon: Younger brother to Coryls Velaryon and commander in the Velaryon navy
John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon: Son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen
Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velayron: Daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen.
Theo Nate as Ser Laenor Velaryon: Son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen
For more on House of the Dragon, check out these stories:
“Game of Thrones” Prequel “House of the Dragon” Premiering in August
New “House of the Dragon” Video Teases HBO Max’s “Game of Thrones” Prequel
“Game of Thrones” Prequel “House of the Dragon” Reveals First Teaser
HBO Reveals First Images From “House of The Dragon”
Featured image: Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO
