The first House of the Dragon trailer has finally been released. HBO's highly-anticipated prequel series to Game of Thrones is slated to hit screens this summer. Based on George RR Martin's book Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon takes place roughly 200 years before the events of the flagship series and follows the Targaryen dynasty as they rule over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The series will follow the fall of the Targaryen dynasty, including the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons and their eventual fall from power.
Paddy Considine is set to star as King Viserys I Targaryen, the fifth king of the Seven Kingdoms. Matt Smith will star as his brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the Iron Throne. The cast is rounded out by key Targaryen players and their inner circle, including Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower (the Hand of the King), Olivia Cooke as Millicent Hightower (the Hand of the King's daughter), and Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria (Prince Daemon's most trusted advisor. Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, and Fabien Frankel also star.
Now, after months of anticipation, HBO has debuted the first House of the Dragon trailer. The clip shows the beginnings of the Targaryen civil war, including the infighting within the family and the various players jockeying for power and control over the Iron Throne. Check it out below:
Click Here to Watch the House of the Dragon Trailer on Youtube
One of the biggest concerns heading into House of the Dragon is not only how it will make up for the divisive ending to Game of Thrones, but how it will differentiate itself from that series. While many of the locations in the House of the Dragon trailer will be familiar to Game of Thrones watchers, including the throne room, King's Landing, and the Targaryen ancestral home Dragonstone, the period in which the show takes place allows for some differences that are sure to please A Song of Ice and Fire diehards. The book accurate Iron Throne is perhaps most exciting, as the swords surrounding it are more akin to Martin's original vision for the seat of power.
Most importantly, though, are the dragons. While Game of Thrones was short on the mythical creatures during the early years of the series, dragons were eventually introduced as Daenerys raised three. House of the Dragon will have plenty of dragon action, though, thanks in part to the fact that the infighting of the Targaryens allows for dragon-on-dragon warfare. Unfortunately, the House of the Dragon trailer is light on that. HBO is likely saving the most action-heavy elements for another trailer or the show itself. One thing the trailer shows is something every Game of Thrones fan will love - palace intrigue, ever-shifting political allegiances, and a return to Westeros. House of the Dragon will premiere on August 21.
Source: HBO