The Game of Thrones universe is already gigantic. But now it’s even better with an additional series in the franchise. After the upsetting ending of the HBO series, George R. R. Martin didn’t hesitate in diving right into his prequel series focusing on the Targaryen family, House of the Dragon. And with the first season done and gone, it’s time to learn about what to expect from House of the Dragon season 2.
While many Game of Thrones fans were disappointed when hearing the spin-off with Jon Snow was no longer in the works, the tears quickly dried when we received such an enthralling look into the history behind one of the other outstanding characters in Martin’s main franchise, Daenerys Targaryen.
House of the Dragon is set nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and is based on his prequel book series, Fire & Blood. With season 2 just around the corner, let’s dive into what’s to come from House of the Dragon season 2.
House of the Dragon Recap
Before we dive into what’s to come, let’s recap everything that’s happened so far. Season 1 ended with Aegon II Targaryen claiming the Iron Throne. Which left Rhaenyra no choice but to go to war after the death of her son, Lucery, or Luke, Velaryon, at the hands of Aemond Targaryen.
While Rhaenyra considered peace in the name of her late father, Viserys the Peaceful, we’re ultimately up against a darker season for Rhaenyra and Westeros both. We’ll hopefully see these events play out similarly to George R. R. Martin’s novel, Fire & Blood, but for fans that haven’t read through his many great novels, let’s go into what could possibly happen, and some exciting fan theories.
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House of the Dragon Season 2 Trailer
In true George R. R. Martin fashion, the second season of House of the Dragon shows off the epic adventure we’re all about to take part in. The trailer opens with Rhaenyra grieving over the loss of her son, while Aegon II is seen crowned and acting as the Lord of the Seven Kingdoms.
The fight for the Iron Throne has just begun as noble families choose sides in the fight. We get to see the brilliance of flight with new characters, like Addam of Hull, waiting their turn to take flight on these ginormous creatures.
Mysterious meetings take place with Jacaerys who finally reaches North to meet Cregan Stark. With a trailer packed to the brim with exciting stories, it’s clear this will be a season unlike the rest.
The Cast
The trailer of House of the Dragon season 2 shows many familiar faces back in action. Matt Smith is coming back as Daemon Targaryen, and Emma D’Arcy is still Rhaenyra Targaryen. Alicent and Otto Hightower are still played by Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans respectively. And of course, Aegon II is none other than Tom Glynn-Carney once again. But enough about the same faces, what about the new ones?
There are a confirmed 10 new faces entering the world of Westeros. While we won’t dive into each new character, we’ll highlight some characters that you’ll be seeing a lot more here soon.
Clinton Liberty, a 25-year-old Irish actor, is coming to the screen playing Addam of Hull, one of the new characters that was seen in the trailer. In the books, he was a mysterious character, but a low-born person that is presumed to have some amount of Valyrian ancestry through a bastard descendant. He hopes to serve in the war by claiming a dragon to ride.
A Stark is back in action thanks to Tom Taylor, another new actor that we see in the trailer. Taylor is playing the highly anticipated role of Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell. We’ll see him often now thanks to Jacaery’s finally making his way North.
Simon Russell Beale, a 62-year-old English actor known for his performances in the 1996 Hamlet adaption, as well as in the thriller The Outfit, is another new face. He’ll play Ser Simon Strong, who will soon face the onslaught from every side as he tries to hold the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms.
House of the Dragon Season 2 Plot
With war around the corner, tension are high in Westerois between the Greens and Blacks, with Rhaenyra and Alicent at the center of it all. The death of Lucery creates a bloodthirsty hunt, with Rhaenyra suspecting foul play and wanting vengeance. Familiar houses like Tully, Arryn, Stark, Baratheon, and Lannister will make their allegiances throughout the season on who they’re fighting for.
Reviews praise the strong performances between character relationships but criticize the frequent time jumps. With the increase of tension and action, season 2 will explore the same political rollercoasters that was common in Game of Thrones. Fans are overall hoping for the fluctuating twists of loyalties and emotions to really drive home the increase of tension throughout the noble families.
Release Date
House of the Dragon season 2 will release June 16th on MAX with eight episodes total. While two episodes fewer than the first season, this could mean that fans will get high-quality adventures, effects, and political dramas to encapsulate Martin’s vivid and extraordinary imagination and work.
hopefully with the lesser episodes, we’ll be thrown into amazing battles, political dramas, and interesting adventures that show the high-quality imagination from Martin.
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Final Thoughts
Season 1 set a great foundation for whats to come. Fans finally get a look at the madness that circulates through the Targaryen blood, with Daemon’s erratic behavior being the worst of them all. With that, bloodshed is sure to take the forefront this upcoming season.
And let’s not forget the revenge and rage that pushes the plot forward. Overall, new and old fans alike are looking forward to watching the split between Westerois, and to see who will come out on top.