‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel ‘House of the Dragon’ to Star Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen
Viserys was the father of Rhaenyra and Aegon II
Jennifer Maas | October 5, 2020 @ 2:55 PM
Last Updated: October 5, 2020 @ 3:16 PM
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
English actor Paddy Considine has been cast in the leading role of King Viserys I, the father of Rhaenyra and Aegon II, on HBO’s “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon,” TheWrap has learned.
“House of the Dragon” was co-created by co-created by George R.R. Martin and “Colony” co-creator Ryan Condal based on Martin’s “Fire & Blood.” The 10-episode show is set in the early days of Westeros and focuses on House Targaryen, the family that Emila Clarke’s Daenerys belonged to, along with her brother Viserys (Harry Lloyd) and nephew Aegon Targaryen a.k.a. Jon Snow (Kit Harington). The series is based on Martin’s “Fire & Blood” book, which details the lineage of the Targaryens, and takes place 300 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.”
“The Outsider’s” Considine, the first actor to join “House of the Dragon,” will star as King Viserys Targaryen, who was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal. Per the character description, Viserys is “a warm, kind, and decent man” and “only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy.” However, “good men do not necessarily make for great kings.”
Miguel Sapochnik — who directed several fan-favorite episodes of “GoT,” such as “The Long Night,” “Battle of the Bastards” and “Hardhome” — and Condal will serve as co-showrunners on “House of the Dragon” and executive produce alongside Martin,Vince Gerardis and Sara Lee Hess. Sapochnik will direct the pilot and additional episodes.
In January, HBO programming head Casey Bloys told TheWrap he expected “House of the Dragon” to premiere in 2022. “They are in-room writing,” Bloys said during the Television Critics Association press tour. “My suspicion is, this is looking a ways out, but my suspicion is it would be on air sometime in 2022. That’s with a big asterisk, but right now, that’s what I would say.”
Considine is best known for his roles in “The Third Day,” “The Outsider,” “Journeyman,” “Peaky Blinders,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Dead Man’s Shoes,” “In America” and “The Ferryman.”
He is repped by Nick Forgacs at Independent Talent Group, and Michael Cooper at Range Media Partners.
43 Most Shocking TV Character Deaths of 2019, From 'Game of Thrones' to 'Stranger Things' (Photos)
If there was one thing 2019 taught us, it's that "shocking" is a truly relative term -- and we're not even talking about real-life instances here. Yes, it's pretty hard to blow anyone's mind these days, including that of TV viewers, making truly gasp-worthy small-screen character deaths few and far between. But that didn't stop several showrunners from doing their worst -- er, best, to totally kill you with these on-screen passings. Click through TheWrap's gallery to see the 43 most shocking TV character deaths of 2019. Obviously, spoilers ahead. And yes, most of these are "Game of Thrones" characters.
Trade Minister Nobusuke Tagomi - "The Man in the High Castle"
Amazon Prime Video
Thatcher Grey - "Grey's Anatomy"
ABC
Quentin - "The Magicians"
Syfy
Swanny - "SEAL Team"
CBS
Candy - "Pose"
FX
Jack - "Supernatural"
The CW
Riz - "Mayans MC"
FX
Asher - "How to Get Away With Murder"
ABC
The Night King - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Daenerys Targaryen - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Cersei and Jaime Lannister - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Sandor ("The Hound") and Gregor ("The Mountain) Clegane - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Theon Greyjoy - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Melisandre - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Varys - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Missandei - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Jorah Mormont - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Dolorous Edd - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Lyanna Mormont - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Beric Dondarrion - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Maester Qyburn - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Euron Greyjoy - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Rhaegal - "Game of Thrones"
HBO
Tara Chambler - "Walking Dead"
AMC
Enid - "Walking Dead"
AMC
Henry - "Walking Dead"
AMC
Siddiq - "Walking Dead"
AMC
1 of 44
OK, *most* are “Game of Thrones”
If there was one thing 2019 taught us, it's that "shocking" is a truly relative term -- and we're not even talking about real-life instances here. Yes, it's pretty hard to blow anyone's mind these days, including that of TV viewers, making truly gasp-worthy small-screen character deaths few and far between. But that didn't stop several showrunners from doing their worst -- er, best, to totally kill you with these on-screen passings. Click through TheWrap's gallery to see the 43 most shocking TV character deaths of 2019. Obviously, spoilers ahead. And yes, most of these are "Game of Thrones" characters.