“House of the Dragon” is heating back up, as HBO has released a trailer for the second season of the “Game of Thrones” prequel series.
Season 2 promises even more dragon warfare, as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower’s forces go head to head — well, dragon to dragon. The trailer shows Daemon Targaryen suiting up in his impressive armor, knights on horseback, soldiers burning alive and several of the main cast riding their dragons into battle.
“There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin,” Rhaenyra says. But also, “And no war so bloody as a war between dragons,” her aunt Rhaenys Targaryen reminds her.
The main “House of the Dragon” cast returns, along with several new faces. The new major players include Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.
The returning cast includes Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Rhys Ifans, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham. Previously announced newcomers are Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.
In early November, HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed that Season 2 of the fantasy drama series would premiere in “early summer” 2024.
Adapted from George R. R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” “House of the Dragon” takes place around 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones” (and about 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen), during the height of the Targaryen dynasty. Season 1 recaptured the political turmoil that “Game of Thrones” was known for, following Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) being named the chosen heir of King Viserys I (Patty Considine). Later, Rhaenyra is crowned queen and marries her uncle, Daemon (Matt Smith). Rhaenyra and Daemon become embroiled in a power struggle against Rhaenyra’s half-brother King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), leading Westeros to the brink of civil war.
When it first debuted, Season 1 of “House of the Dragon” drew nearly 10 million viewers, marking HBO’s biggest series premiere in history. It received an early renewal shortly afterward.
Martin is co-creator and executive producer; Ryan Condal is co-creator, showrunner and executive producer; executive producers include Sara Hess, Alan Taylor, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Loni Peristere and Vince Gerardis.
