WarnerMedia on Tuesday released the first footage for “House of the Dragon,” the eagerly awaited prequel series to “Game of Thrones,” as part of a promotion for the European launch of HBO Max.
The new 10-episode series, scheduled to launch in 2022, is set “200 years before the fall of the throne” and chronicles the fall of House Targaryen and the events leading up to the Targaryen civil war, known as the “Dance of the Dragons.”
The teaser features Matt Smith, as dragon-riding Prince Daemon Targaryen, intoning about “Gods, kings, fire and blood.” We see glimpses of sword-fighting as well as the great hall holding the Iron Throne from the original HBO epic based on the books by George R.R. Martin (who serves as an executive producer on the new series).
Later in the clip, Smith adds, “Dreams didn’t make us kings — dragons did.”
In addition to the teaser, HBO announced several additional new cast members for the series:
- Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon – Younger brother to Coryls Velaryon and commander in the Velaryon navy
- John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon – Son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen
- Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velayron – Daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen
- Theo Nate as Ser Laenor Velaryon – Son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen
They join a cast that includes Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Sea Snake”, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole.
Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik serve as co-showrunners on “House of the Dragon.” Executive producers include Vince Gerardis, Ron Schmid and Sara Hess.
Also on Tuesday, HBO Europe chief Christina Sulebakk said the streamer’s European service will get WarnerMedia theatrical releases 45 days after their theatrical launch, just as in Asia.
