Is there a more anticipated 2024 TV event than the return of House of the Dragon?
We covered a lot of ground in the first season, especially in comparison to its prequel-though-technically-sequel series Game of Thrones, which was as beloved as it was slow-moving (until that final season, anyway). With a stellar cast – Matt Smith, in particular, is on delicious form – and sweeping landscapes, House of the Dragon looks lush and delivers on the drama and many, many gruesome deaths.
And what is most exciting about this entry into the Thrones universe is that it gets people talking: no easy feat at the time of peak TV (just ask The Rings of Power). Let’s catch up on where we left off and what we know about the upcoming season.
What happened in House of the Dragon season 1?
The show is based on George R. R. Martin’s prequel book Fire and Blood (you can learn more about that here), which charts the dying days of the once-omnipotent Targaryen clan. The overarching story? How this dragon-riding family descended from ruling the Seven Kingdoms into a brutal war of succession (known as the Dance of the Dragons). So where have we reached so far? Spoilers ahead!
Towards the end of season 1, King Viserys (played by Paddy Considine) died after making a series of bad choices, leaving his second wife Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) son Aegon in charge of the Iron Throne. That didn’t sit well with Alicent’s ex best friend and Vicerys’ eldest daughter Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy).
At the end of the first season, Alicent’s deeply disconcerting son Aemond (Ewan Mitchell, who recently popped up as a nerd in Saltburn and can be recognised by his eyepatch and constant scowl here) killed Rhaenyra’s poor old son Lucerys. You can read our recap of that bleak season finale here. The war between the blacks (Alicent & co) and the greens (Rhaenyra and Daemon) has been set up. And it only gets more explosive from there.
What can we expect from House of the Dragon season 2?
Given that this takes place in Martin’s universe, more bloodshed and backstabbing. Lots of pensive looks into middle distance. And scenes that are both thematically and literally dark.
Okay, in terms of actual storylines, the second season is likely to kick into gear a lot of what has been rumbling away for the past ten episodes. Most obviously, that means finding out that Aemond is responsible for poor little Lucerys’ untimely death. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra’s husband (and uncle) Daemon (Smith), is off singing lullabies to sleeping dragons in caves. They are going to be important in the coming war: what damage can they do, and perhaps more importantly, who can even control them?
Season 1 surprised its viewers with mid-season cast changes and time jumps. Milly Alcock played a younger Rhaenyra before D’Arcy took on the role. Likewise, Emily Carey played Alicent at the start before Cooke took her place. The younger generation also changed actors during the final few episodes (there are many children in this show). It does not seem like there will be any more major time jumps – not according to Matt Smith, who told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that there would not be anymore – so all your favourites will be back: Smith, Cooke, D’Arcy as well as Rhys Ifans who plays Otto Hightower.
Deadline also reports that the second season will be two episodes than the ten-episode first season, which is either bad news (we want more dragons!) or great news (if the team is slowing the pace, we will likely get more seasons).
When is House of the Dragon season 2 released?
Early summer, according to HBO, which means you can spend those balmy British nights in the safety of your living room.
Smith may have given us a firmer idea of when to expect the next instalment of backstabbing and bloodshed when he appeared on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show in January. He told the presenter that we could expect it to drop in August. Not long to go, and even better news, the cast has also finished filming. “I’ve not seen any of it yet, but we finished it last year. So we’ve gotta do all the ADR and all that business,” the British actor and former British Esquire cover star told the radio show.
Where can I watch House of the Dragon season 2?
The will debut on HBO in America and you will likely be able to watch it on Sky Atlantic/NOW TV in the UK soon after.
Is there a trailer?
Yes, it's right up there and it looks suitably dramatic. As Rhaenys (Eve Best), who had last season’s stand-out moment, intones: “There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin, and no war so bloody as a war between dragons.” Sure! Often with this show, you just have to go with the vibe.
Apart from that, it looks like there will be more dragons, more plotting and at least one beheading.
