House of the Dragon officially confirm release date for new show

The prequel to Game of Thrones is coming to the small screen this summer! 🐉

Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
Author: Emma DicksonPublished 31st Mar 2022

HBO Max has confirmed the release date for the highly-anticipated Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, will begin on 21st August 2022, with ten episodes in total.

A first-look trailer was released just before Christmas last year, teasing key characters like Matt Smith's Prince Daemon Targaryen and Olivia Cooke's Alicent Hightower.

And we now have the official launch date along with a poster of a glowing golden egg and a pair of ominous eyes.

Here’s everything to know so far:

What is House of the Dragon about?

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, telling the story of House Targaryen.

Who is in the House of the Dragon cast?

Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen

The younger brother of King Viserys and heir to the throne, Daemon is a peerless warrior and a dragonrider who possesses the true blood of the dragon.

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower

Olivia's the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most attractive woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen

Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen. A warm, kind, and decent man - but as we've learned from Game of Thrones, good men do not necessarily make for great kings.

Rhys Ifans as 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.

Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

The king's first-born child, Rhaenyra is of pure Valyrian blood and is a skilled dragonrider. Her only downfall is that she was not born a man.

Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, Emily Carey as Young Alicent


Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole

Ser Criston Cole hails from Dorne and is the son of a steward of Lord Blackhaven. As a noble, he has no claim to lands or titles.

When will House of the Dragon air?

The ten-episode HBO Original drama House of the Dragon debuts Sunday 21st August on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

WATCH the teaser trailer 👇

Now check out which other TV shows we can't wait for the return of:

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