‘House Of The Dragon’: Official Trailer Released For ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel

August will be filled with fire and blood this year, as HBO finally decided to drop the trailer of its show Game Of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon, just yesterday. The release date was also announced to be August 21. 

“War is afoot,” a voice says at the beginning of the trailer. 

The trailer of the upcoming spinoff reminds viewers of the time when Targaryens ruled the Iron Throne, and there's no dearth of bloodlust for the most desired seat: the Iron Throne. Based on George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon will follow the Targaryen civil war and their dragons are part of how House of the Dragon will adapt the Dance of the Dragons event from the source material.

“The dream… it was clearer than a memory and I heard the sound of thundering hooves, splintering shields and ringing swords,” Viserys Targaryen (Harry Lloyd) continued. “And I place my heir upon the Iron Throne, and all dragons roared as one.”

Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the show follows the tumultuous story of House Targaryen under the rule of King Viserys I. The trailer shows who King Viserys will hand down the throne to as there are a few successors. "I will not be made to choose between my brother and my daughter," he is seen responding to Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) after being reminded that Daemon Targaryan is the official heir.

Viserys appears to choose Rhaenyra to take his spot on the Iron Throne. But there are many things that could go wrong. The Targaryens and most of the Seven Kingdoms erupt into a war for the throne as a result, and the different sides of the Targaryen family use their many dragons to try and win. The Dance of the Dragons is ultimately what leads to almost every dragon dying, though. The trailer closes with Rhaenyra saying, "When I am queen, I will create a new order."

House of the Dragon was shot in England while its predecessor, Game of Thrones was entirely based in Northern Ireland. 

House of the Dragon stars Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower and Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower. Steve Toussaint plays “The Sea Snake,” Lord Corlys Velaryon, and Paddy Considine will play the powerful King Viserys I.

Rounding out the cast is Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole and Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria. Martin executive produces alongside Vince Gerardis, and showrunners Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal. Ramin Djawadi, whose award-winning score for Game of Thrones inspired a world tour, is returning to compose music for the prequel series.

“I have seen rough cuts of a few of them, and I’m loving them,” said George Martin of the episodes in a February blog post. ” …. the writing, the directing, the acting all look terrific.” Martin also told The Hollywood Reporter that “Dragon” has an even darker message and tone than “Thrones.”