Time waits for no person, Game of Thrones fans. The long winter is over, and the countdown begins. We can officially announce (well, technically HBO can officially announce) that House of the Dragon premieres on August 21st. Have your TV/computer/iPad/phone/video boom box ready because it’s coming at us, and it’s coming soon.
The Game of Thrones off season is a bit like watching an office building be erected from the ground up right outside your office cubicle: You glance out the window every day, but all you ever see are a bunch of construction workers circling a giant hole in the ground, handing each other various supplies. You go about your day, week, month, attending this meeting and that, but suddenly one day, you take a peek and they’re working on the 22nd floor; how did that happen? What I’m saying is that we’ve had such little news of late regarding House of the Dragon, other than the regular assurance of “it will air in 2022” that’s it’s become easy to forget that we’re finally due to get that long-awaited first spinoff to Game of Thrones THIS. YEAR. And finally, all that patience is starting to pay off because Westerosi creator himself, George R. R. Martin has just published one helluvan update. Let’s dive in, yeah?
Filming for House of the Dragon has continued uninterrupted in Spain for weeks now, although much of the main cast has flown there only these last few days. In fact, it seems like the entire Targaryen court will be present… including several newcomers! The sons of King Viserys make their debut, as well as new Kingsguard members. Who’s playing Aemond? What about Ser Arryk and Erryk Cargyll, twin members of the Kingsguard? Is one of the new mystery cast members the elusive Aegon?
House of the Dragon moves south! We last saw Matt Smith in Cornwell, shooting a scene as Daemon Targaryen at a war council by the sea, likely during the War for the Stepstones. Now, the Rogue Prince is flying south — to a castle in Spain, or whichever part of Westeros it will turn out to be! Also in Spain: Cáceres returns as King’s Landing!
The time has come! Believe it or not, though the show is still in mid-production, we now have the first teaser trailer for the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon!
The cast of the Game of Thrones spinoff expands once more, with House of the Dragon announcing several new additions today! Variety confirmed seven more actors for the show, including Graham McTavish, who has made his appearing on HOTD a public secret already. McTavish will be playing the part of Ser Harrold Westerling, a role many speculated for him. Variety was able to confirm his role on the show and make quite a few other exciting announcements.
In addition to McTavish, the new cast members include:
We’re finally getting a look at Daemon Targaryen’s violent, warlike side. New photos from set give us a glimpse of Daemon wearing armor and an interesting war council scene. You know that saying “Don’t punish the messenger?” Daemon certainly doesn’t.
The goods just keep on comin’! Mere days after we caught a first look at Laenor Velaryon and some grizzly post-battle action, new set photos grace us with a glimpse of Daemon Targaryen wielding his legendary Valyrian steel blade, Dark Sister!
Corpses on the beach! Tyroshi pirates! Our first glimpses of some important Velaryons! Filming on House of the Dragon has been sprinting along nicely as of late and as the kids say, we’re here for it.
The COVID-19-related pause on production of House of the Dragon, the Targaryen-centered spinoff of Game of Thrones, is long gone — hopefully for the first and only time — as some really intriguing filming was spotted in Derbyshire, England last week.