At the gates of the premiere of Dragon House, the long-awaited prequel to the world of dragons arrives in Spain on August 22. The series promises to unfold its letters slowly, signaling a major, sustained bet for HBO Max amid the platform’s ongoing shift as Discovery+ edges closer to a merger.
Fans of the Game of Thrones saga will recognize many familiar strands, yet Dragon House introduces a broader cast and a deeper look at the Targaryen lineage. The focus remains on a family in turmoil, even as new and older generations collide, and the anticipation is high for the details that will reveal how this expansive tale fits into the broader Westeros mythos. Here is a concise guide to ten elements viewers can expect as the universe expands.
Dragon House: a production with pronounced impact
George R.R. Martin’s involvement in the project
George R.R. Martin, the author behind the saga that inspired Game of Thrones and The House of the Dragon, has been part of the prequel from its inception. Co-creator Ryan Condal notes that Martin was instrumental in setting the historical window the series explores and the events it portrays. While the team ultimately steers the narrative, the manuscripts and chapters were frequently reviewed to guide the adaptation for the screen.
A seasoned Game of Thrones expert
Beyond Condal, Miguel Sapochnik, co-creator and co-producer of Dragon House, emerges as a veteran of the series’s universe. He directed two pivotal episodes of the original saga, including Battle of the Bastards and The Long Night. In Dragon House, he returns to steer the helm for multiple episodes in the early season, continuing to shape the visual language of the prequel.
Two actresses, one role
To reflect the passage of time, the series casts two performers for the same character. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is portrayed by Milly Alcock during her youth and by Emma D’Arcy in adulthood, capturing the evolution of the king’s eldest daughter. The same approach is used for Otto Hightower’s daughter, with Emily Carey followed by Olivia Cooke as the story progresses.
A new literary epic
Dragon House adapts another George R.R. Martin work, Fire and Blood, which chronicles the rise of the Targaryen dynasty. Published in 2018 as the first of two volumes, the book traces the dragons’ reign over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the long arc of the house that shapes much of the saga’s history.
Eight generations apart
While Dragon House references the Targaryens prominent in Game of Thrones, it is set two centuries earlier and does not feature characters from the original series. The narrative centers on the civil strife known as the Dance of the Dragons, with a clear genealogical gap of eight generations separating Rhaenyra from Daenerys Targaryen.
Comparable ambitions: intrigue with dragons
Showrunners Condal and Sapochnik compare Dragon House with acclaimed HBO Max series that also explored power plays. The central thread hinges on succession and who sits on the Iron Throne, with Viserys Targaryen at the heart of the early drama. The creators have cited The Crown and Succession as influences in tone and pacing, aiming for a regal, political drama wrapped in mythical spectacle.
As the Dance of Dragons unfolds, the drama traces how blood ties can ignite brutal conflict, with kin turning against kin in a way that captivates and unsettles the audience alike.
Bold scenes and mature themes
Game of Thrones faced scrutiny for violence and explicit content, and Dragon House appears prepared to navigate similar terrain. One of the cast members noted that the series might include provocative material, while producers emphasized a focus on consequences and the impact of violence on the characters and their families, rather than gratuitous depictions. The aim is to present tough topics with restraint and responsibility.
In a broader conversation about the show’s direction, the team underscored that the portrayal of violence and intimacy would serve the narrative and character development, rather than stand as sensational moments.
Filming across Spain
Production benefited from Spain’s diverse landscapes, with shoots spanning regions such as Andalusia, Catalonia, Navarra, Castilla La Mancha, Extremadura, and the Basque Country. Locations like Cáceres and the Plaza Mayor in Trujillo provided authentic medieval backdrops, including a dragon statue that helped bring the era to life.
Dragons in the sky
Dragon House promises a breadth of dragon lore, with multiple flying beasts featured on screen. The production team stressed careful differentiation in appearance and behavior among the dragons and their riders to avoid visual repetition and to enrich the mythic atmosphere of the prequel.
Counting the by-products
HBO Max has kept a pulse on George R.R. Martin’s literary universe, hoping to replicate the HBO success with Dragon House. While spin-offs such as the Naomi Watts pilot were not released, the studio is actively pursuing several derivative projects set in the same world, including Tales of Dunk and Egg, a Jon Snow-centered series, 10,000 Ships, 9 Journeys, and a trio of animated ventures.