Upon its debut in 2022, House of the Dragon became a roaring success for HBO, with the first season averaging 29 million viewers an episode between the network and its streaming platform, Max. Now, ahead of the premiere of Season 2 of the series based on author George R.R. Martin’s book ‘Fire & Blood,’ HBO has officially renewed the show for a third season.
Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
As per Variety, the renewal of House of the Dragon comes following the success of its first season, with the debut episode earning the biggest premiere audience ever for the network among both linear viewers and those streaming on Max. In a statement released by HBO’s Programming and Drama Series Chief Francesca Orsi, she says the network was so in “awe” by the second season of House of the Dragon, which is led by showrunner Ryan Condal, that the choice to renew it for a third outing was easy. Check out her comments below.
“George, Ryan, and the rest of our incredible executive producers, cast, and crew, have reached new heights with the phenomenal second season. We are in awe of the dragon-sized effort the entire team has put into the creation of a spectacular season two, with a scope and scale that is only rivaled by its heart. We could not be more thrilled to continue the story of House Targaryen and watch this team burn bright again for season three.”
The news of House of the Dragon‘s Season 3 renewal comes on the heels of the series already receiving strong reviews ahead of its second season, which has been Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 88%. It sits just below Season 1, which has a score of 93%, but the rating for Season 2 could still rise as only 34 reviews have been added thus far, compared to the 869 reviews that its predecessor has garnered up to this point. Early reviews for House of the Dragon Season 2 have called it “A brutal return for the fantasy epic that sets up a tantalizing conflict where no one is safe,” (Total Film), while others have commented that the show “has seemingly reached its cruising altitude, while continuing to take big creative swings,” (CNN).
While the first season of House of the Dragon was filled with political intrigue, murder, and, of course, dragons, Season 2 looks to continue that trend by offering fans an even broader look into the history behind House Targaryen. Set 200 years before the events in Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon‘s sophomore season will see the return of Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen), Emma D’Arcy (Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen), Olivia Cooke (Queen Alicent Hightower) and Eve Best (Princess Rhaenys Targaryen), to name a few. New cast members being added to the mix include Gayle Rankin (Alys Rivers), Simon Russell Beale (Ser Simon Strong), Freddie Fox (Ser Gwayne Hightower), and Abubakar Salim (Alyn of Hull).
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House of the Dragon Season 2 will also up the ante in terms of terror this season, featuring the subplot that has become known among fans as the “Blood and Cheese” incident, which is said to rival the “Red Wedding” seen in the episode ‘The Reigns of Castamere‘ toward the end of Game of Thrones‘ third season. Showrunner Ryan Condal has already teased the moment, calling it “pretty horrific.” Check out his comments below.
“A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones have conditioned people to expect the unexpected and expect the horrible. But, yeah, that one’s pretty horrific. We’ll see what people make of what’s to come.”
House of the Dragon returns in all its bloody glory on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
House of the Dragon
Season 1 is available to stream on
Max
, and you can check out the trailer for Season 2 below.
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