Ruth Mia Davis
You know what time it is. They know what time it is. We know what time it is. Everyone knows what time it is. It’s getting closer and closer––and just we’re an update away from finally receiving HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. Just a few hours ago, Variety has given us a sneak peek of the plot details of the series which will be focusing on the dragon-filled House Targaryen and what happened to be the chaotic civil war that was named “Dance of the Dragons.” If you didn’t know, this happened 300 years BEFORE our beloved battle for the Iron Throne.
Alongside the official synopsis, there’s also news about the fresh blood coming to the series––bringing the likes of Steve Toussaint from Doctor Who, Eve Best from Fate: The Winx Saga, Rhys Ifans from Harry Potter, and Sonoya Mizuno from Devs into the cast that already included Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, and Matt Smith.
As reported, Toussaint will be playing the role of Westeros’ most famous nautical swashbuckler, Lord Corlys Velaryon a.k.a. “The Sea Snake.” According to Variety, Corlys “built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.” Additionally, House Velaryon is “a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen,” so don’t expect any less.
Best, on the other hand, will be playing the role of Princess Rhaenys Velaryon. Seldom referred to as “The Queen Who Never Was,” Princess Rhaenys is “a dragon rider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon” who “was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favored her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.”
Ifans will be appearing as Otto Hightower (possibly the coolest name in GoT history), the loyal Hand of the King to Paddy Considine’s role as King Viserys. “As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon (Matt Smith), and his position as heir to the throne.” Otto serves as the father of Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke.
Last, but definitely not least, Mizuno will be portraying Mysaria, a poor slave who became one of Prince Daemon’s most trusted ally.
Showrun by none other than Game of Thrones veteran director himself Miguel Sapochnik alongside Colony creator Ryan Condal, House of the Dragon has its eyes set on a release sometime next year. Sapochnik and Condal are executive producing alongside the man, the myth, the legend, George R. R. Martin with Vince Gerardis, Sara Lee Hess, and Rom Schmidt. However, besides Sapochnik directing the pilot and a handful more episodes, Clare Kilner, Geeta V. Patel, and Greg Yaitanes are also helming some episodes of the series with Yaitanes also servings as a co-executive producer. Either way, all of them have their hands full for the next year or so.
Don’t fret, however, if you think that this is the only Game of Thrones content you’ll be seeing in the near future as HBO is readying itself for more A Song of Ice and Fire projects. This year, it has been reported that HBO is set to develop Tales of Dunk and Egg––a series that has the potential to become animated, something new for the viewers especially the adults. Other George R. R. Martin projects are also set to become ventures for the cable network. What you’re going to be most worried about is that HBO isn’t inclined to premiere any shows that are set AFTER or DURING the events of the flagship series. Jane Goldman’s removed pilot proves as a lesson as well that not all stories from Westeros are full orders.
