Gods, kings, fire, blood.
There’s sure to be plenty of it in HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff series, House of the Dragon. The first trailer of the show was released today as part of HBO Max Europe’s launch event.
In addition to previously announced stars, the teaser offered the first official footage of newly revealed cast members. Wil Johnson will portray Ser Vaemond Velaryon, the younger brother to Coryls Velaryon and the Velaryon navy commander; John Macmillan is set as Ser Laenor Velaryon, the son of Coryls and Rhaenys Targaryen; Savannah Steyn will be Lady Laena Velayron, the daughter of Corlys and Rhaenys and Theo Nate will portray Ser Laenor Velaryon, also the son of Corlys and Rhaenys. They join Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans and Eve Best, among others.
HBO’s highly anticipated series is based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood series and tells the story of House Targaryen’s civil war. It all unfolds several hundred years before the battle for power in Game of Thrones, and long before— in this fantasy’s timeline— the disappointing fate of the Mother of Dragons.
“Dreams didn’t make us kings,”Daemon Targaryen (Smith) says in the trailer. “Dragons did.”
Given its enduring hold on audiences, Game of Thrones set high standards for the franchise’s various spinoff projects. However, the generally poor reception of the series finale leaves it unclear if House of Dragon will have the same legacy as its predecessor in pop culture. Can it attract the same loyal audience?
House of the Dragon is executive produced by Martin, writer Ryan Condol, director Miguel Sapochnik, Vince Gerardis, Ron Schmid, writer Sara Hess and director Greg Yaitanes. Co-showrunner Sapochnik is no stranger to the franchise. He directed the epic “Battle of the Bastards” episode in Season 6 of GOT, for which he won an Emmy. He also won the awards for best drama series for his role as an executive producer in its final season. His directing efforts for “The Long Night” also earned him a nomination.
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Clare Kilner and Geeta V. Patel also directed episodes of House of the Dragon. Production began earlier this year, and the series is expected to premiere on HBO Max in 2022.
Watch the full trailer below.
Photography by: Ollie Upton/HBO
