The debut date for HBO’s “Game of Thrones” spinoff “House of the Dragon” has been set for August 21.
It will be a ten-episode drama based on George R. R. Martin’s book “Fire & Blood,” set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” recounting the saga of House Targaryen (Daenerys and Jon’s forefathers).
Because it’s set in Targaryen’s world, expect plenty of dragons, silver wigs, and, yes, incest. Instead of the aunt and nephew relationship that Daenerys and Jon had, this time it’s between an uncle and a niece.
Miguel Sapochnik, who is best known for directing “Game of Thrones'” famed action sequences like “The Battle of the Bastards,” is back as a director and producer/co-showrunner.
The plot centers on the Dance of the Dragons — the civil war that took place between Targaryen siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra over the throne after their father’s death.
The main characters will be Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith, “The Crown”), who is the king’s brother; his niece Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), who is the king’s daughter; King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine); Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke); and Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), known as the Sea Snake.
Although “Game of Thrones” ended to mass audience dismay — and controversially gave the Targaryen family an unceremonious end when Jon killed Daenerys and then went off into the wilderness — HBO is going full steam ahead on the prequel, and author George R. R. Martin has given it his stamp of approval.
“ … all ten episodes. I have seen rough cuts of a few of them, and I’m loving them … the writing, the directing, the acting all look terrific,” he wrote in a blog post
So, mark your calendars: the dragons will dance on August 21, 2022.