"House of the Dragon" is an American fantasy drama series set roughly two centuries before the events of "Game of Thrones." Created by George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal, it serves as a prequel exploring the history of House Targaryen. The show chronicles the Targaryen civil war, known as the "Dance of the Dragons," which ultimately leads to the downfall of their dynasty.
Recognizing the cultural phenomenon that was Game of Thrones, HBO executives initiated discussions about potential spin-offs and successors to the show as early as 2015, showcasing their foresight and ambition.
Before House of the Dragon, Ryan Condal had his sights set on another corner of Westeros, pitching a series based on George R.R. Martin's "Tales of Dunk and Egg" in 2016, a concept that, while initially passing, highlighted Condal's passion for the source material.
George R.R. Martin fueled speculation and excitement among fans in November 2018 when he mentioned that a potential Game of Thrones spin-off could draw inspiration from his book "Fire & Blood."
The world edged closer to the return of Westeros in September 2019 when news broke that the prequel series, House of the Dragon, was nearing a pilot order from HBO.
In a display of confidence, HBO bypassed the traditional pilot phase and gave House of the Dragon a straight-to-series order in October 2019, demonstrating their strong belief in the project.
The wheels of creation started turning in January 2020 as the writing process for House of the Dragon commenced, bringing the world of Westeros to life on the page.
July 2020 marked the beginning of the search for actors to embody the complex characters of House of the Dragon as the casting process got underway.
In October 2020, the first casting announcement for House of the Dragon revealed that Paddy Considine would be taking on the pivotal role of King Viserys I Targaryen, a decision that generated considerable excitement.
February 2021 brought a wave of casting announcements for House of the Dragon, with Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, and Sonoya Mizuno joining the growing ensemble, adding further depth and talent to the production.
In February 2021, Ramin Djawadi was revealed as the composer for the "House of the Dragon" series.
Cameras started rolling in April 2021 as principal photography for the first season commenced, primarily taking place in the United Kingdom, transforming familiar landscapes into the world of Westeros.
Production on the first season of House of the Dragon commenced in April 2021, marking a significant milestone as the world of Westeros began to take shape on screen.
Reflecting the series' exploration of different time periods, Emily Carey and Milly Alcock were cast in July 2021 to portray the younger versions of Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen, respectively, highlighting the passage of time and its impact on the characters.
Highlighting the challenges faced by film and television productions during the COVID-19 pandemic, production on House of the Dragon experienced a brief pause on July 18, 2021, due to a positive case, underscoring the commitment to safety on set.
In February 2022, HBO confirmed that the first season of "House of the Dragon" had finished filming.
In July 2022, Ryan Condal, the showrunner of House of the Dragon, provided valuable insights into the series during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, offering fans glimpses into the creative process and what to expect.
On August 21, 2022, the highly anticipated prequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, premiered, captivating audiences with its tale of the Targaryen dynasty.
Less than a week after its premiere, House of the Dragon soared to new heights as it received a renewal for a second season on August 26, 2022, a testament to its immediate impact and enthusiastic reception.
On September 2, 2022, the first episode of "House of the Dragon" was made available for free viewing on YouTube.
In October 2022, it was reported that the OSVP stage at Leavesden Studios, which was used for filming "House of the Dragon," was being shut down.
In November 2022, Nielsen reported that 35% of the "House of the Dragon" audience fell within the age range of 18–34.
In December 2022, details about the second season emerged, revealing that the writing was well underway and hinting at a compelling revenge plot involving Alicent, leaving fans eager to witness the aftermath of the first season's events.
The first season of "House of the Dragon" was released on 4K UHD Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, and DVD on December 20, 2022.
Throughout 2022, the first season of "House of the Dragon" garnered positive reviews from critics.
The second season of "House of the Dragon" commenced filming on April 11, 2023, at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Watford, England.
As anticipation for the second season grew, the announcement of new cast members, including Gayle Rankin, Simon Russell Beale, Freddie Fox, and Abubakar Salim, in April 2023, fueled speculation about the directions the story might take.
On May 18, 2023, production for the second season of "House of the Dragon" relocated to Cáceres, Spain.
Filming for the second season of "House of the Dragon" wrapped up on September 29, 2023.
Further expanding the world of House of the Dragon, the announcement of additional cast members, including Tom Taylor, Clinton Liberty, Jamie Kenna, Kieran Bew, Tom Bennett, and Vincent Regan, in December 2023, offered tantalizing hints about the storylines and characters to come.
George R.R. Martin delighted fans in December 2023 with an update on the future of House of the Dragon, revealing that work on the third and fourth seasons was progressing, indicating a bright future for the series.
Adding to the anticipation surrounding the second season's premiere, HBO announced the renewal of House of the Dragon for a third season in June 2024, reaffirming their commitment to the show's expansive story.
Even before the premiere of its second season, HBO renewed House of the Dragon for a third season in June 2024, a testament to the show's success and the enduring fascination with the world of Westeros.
Mark your calendars! June 16, 2024, is the confirmed date for the premiere of the second season of House of the Dragon, promising more drama, intrigue, and dragon-fueled action.