‘The Crown’ star and more join cast of new ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off series
HBO has officially confirmed several cast members for House of the Dragon.
The upcoming TV drama series is set in the world of Game of Thrones.
Based on the series of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones launched in 2011 and ran for eight seasons, concluding in 2019.
The new spin-off will be based on Martin’s book Fire & Blood, taking place 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
House of the Dragon will tell the story of House Targaryen; the House that gave us the Mother of Dragons herself, Daenerys Targaryen.
The series is co-created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal (Colony, Hercules).
HBO has now announced four British actors who’ll be joining the cast.
Paddy Considine (Peaky Blinders, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher) will play King Viserys Targaryen.
Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal. A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy, but as we’ve learned from Game of Thrones, good men do not necessarily make for great kings.
Olivia Cooke, who you may recognise from ITV’s 2018 adaptation of Vanity Fair, is playing Alicent Hightower.
Alicent is the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.
Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers) will be playing Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
The king’s first-born child, Rhaenyra is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything…but she was not born a man.
The Crown star Matt Smith, who starred as Prince Philip in the first two seasons of Netflix’s hit drama, will play Prince Daemon Targaryen.
The younger brother of King Viserys and heir to the throne, Daemon is a peerless warrior and a dragonrider who possesses the true blood of the dragon. But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…
Speaking to fans over the weekend at GalaxyCon’s virtual Doctor Who Q&A, Smith was asked what he’s most looking to about his new role.
The actor, who played the Doctor in three seasons of Doctor Who, answered: “Well God, everything. I think it’ll be a really exciting cast, I think it’s a wonderful legacy to be part of and it’s a great part. And without saying too much, I’m just sort of looking forward to riding a few dragons…if I get to.”
Smith added: “Who knows what goes on in this role, but yeah look – I’m just looking forward to getting started and I think, hopefully, with the people involved, it could be really exciting.”
Filming is set to begin early next year.
House of the Dragon will premiere on HBO and HBO Max in the US in 2022.
The series is expected to air in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV.
The complete Game of Thrones box set is available on DVD on Amazon.