Filming has been underway for a while now on House Of The Dragon, the first of several Game Of Thrones prequels that US base HBO has had in development to make it to the production stage. Now, we have the first look at some of the cast, including Emma D'Arcy and Matt Smith (both above), who play Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen respectively. And they certainly look like they belong the same family that brought us Danaerys...
Created by novelist and Thrones overlord George RR Martin, and Colony's Ryan Condal, House Of The Dragon is set several hundred years before the main GOT story and follows the story of, as you might guess, House Targaryen. Paddy Considine will be King Viserys I, who 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 good men do not necessarily make for great kings...
Olivia Cooke plays Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most attractive 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. Rhys Ifans, meanwhile, is Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.
Finally, we have Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake, who becomes Hand to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons.
Thrones veteran shot-caller Miguel Sapochnik kicked the series off, with Clare Kilner, Geeta V. Patel and Greg Yaitanes joining as fellow directors. The 10-episode initial season will be on screens next year.