House of the Dragon cast assembles as Thrones prequel enters production

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Sound the horns and light the pyres because production for the House of the Dragon is officially underway.

Whether you're psyched about it or not, HBO's straight-to-series Game of Thrones prequel is under construction. The series hails from George R.R. Martin, Ryan Condal, and Miguel Sapochnik and is eyeing a 2022 launch on HBO.

The network tweeted about the show's production start alongside a photo of the cast attending a socially distanced table read.

House of the Dragon will be set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones and will track the beginning of the end for House Targaryen. The ten-episode series is based upon George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood," a Targaryen history book which chronicles the history of House Targaryen, starting with Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and [going on] to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold the throne, all the way up to the civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, that nearly tore their dynasty apart.

House of the Dragon stars Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, and Fabien Frankel. Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, and Sonoya Mizuno, among several others. Considine stars as King Viserys Targaryen, Cooke plays Alicent Hightower, D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen and Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake, who becomes Hand to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons.

The prequel series was co-created by George "Character Killer" Martin and Ryan Condal. Condal wrote the pilot that got HBO to greenlight the show. He also serves as co-showrunner with Game of Thrones alum Miguel Sapochnik.

As you're likely to know, Game of Thrones was a critical hit for HBO, right up until its final season underdelivered for scores of fans. Will House of the Dragon be able to bring those who've strayed from the franchise back to the fold? Will the powers that be more mindful of rushing resolutions this time out? Only time will tell, and I must admit that I'm excited to find out. Did I think the final season of Game of Thrones was a bummer? Absolutely. However, the best part about making mistakes is learning from them, and I'd love to see this amazing franchise in different hands. Here's hoping for great things.