HBO Releases First Photos from 'Game of Thrones' Prequel, 'House of the Dragon'
The series stars The Crown actor Matt Smith and Sound of Metal's Olivia Cooke.
Just under two years since the Game of Thrones series finale, HBO takes viewers back to the land of Westeros with a set of photos from the upcoming prequel series, House of the Dragon. The new show takes place 300 years prior to the events of GOT, chronicling many of the events alluded to throughout the series, including the downfall of the ruling Targaryen family.
In Season 1 of GOT, it's believed that Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) is the last member of the House Targaryen, an ancient family who previously occupied the Westeros throne before it was usurped by Robert Baratheon. However, before Daenerys was the lone Mother of Dragons, her family blonde-haired ancestors controlled the Known World with their fire-breathing friends at their side.
House of the Dragon follows the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Constantine). In these new pictures, British actor Matt Smith, who played Prince Phillip in the first two seasons of The Crown, stars as the king's brother Daemon alongside actress Emma D'Arcy who plays Rhaenyra, the king's daughter and chosen heir to the throne.
Another photo depicts Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans as Alicent Hightower, Queen of Westeros and Rhaenyra's stepmother, and her father Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, respectively.
Steve Toussaint also appears as Lord Corlys Velaryon, "The Sea Snake," Westeros' most famous sailor. You may recognize his name from all those GOT weapons made of Velaryon steel.
George R.R. Martin, the author of the show's source material, and Ryan Condal are co-creators of the series. Filming on the project began last month in the UK. According to HBO, the series is expected to premiere in 2022.
