The first season of The House of the Dragon premiered in 2022 amid more than justified expectations: on the one hand, it was about the new series set in George RR Martin‘s fantasy universe that had become a phenomenon, but, at the same time, the fiction started with the handicap of a certain mistrust among a very important part of the fans of the original series, those still disappointed with the commented outcome of Game of Thrones.
However, from its first episode and week after week, The House of the Dragon managed to remind us of the best times of that unforgettable fiction—which in reality were all but its final stretch—and, with the help of Rhaenyra, Alicent, and Daemon, we returned to fall in love with Westeros.
Intensely exciting plots, palace intrigues, dragons, and liters of spilled blood made the first Game of Thrones spin-off one of the best series of 2022.
The first season of the series successfully completed its mission of introducing us to this new political scenario of Westeros, in which the Targaryens rule but are beginning to fight among themselves. After bringing the tension to a peak, the series said goodbye to its second installment with an exciting episode, ‘The Black Queen’ (1×10), which paved the way for the second season and left us counting the days.
Take note below of everything we know about season 2 of The House of the Dragon.
House of the dragon season 2 release date
Just five days after its debut, HBO decided to announce season 2 of The House of the Dragon, so fans know that the series will continue from day one. The reception to the first episode had been spectacular, so there was no reason to delay it any further.
Likewise, HBO has long established 2024 as the year in which new episodes will be released, and this will finally be the case. In fact, it’s official: The eight-episode second season of House of the Dragon will premiere on Sunday, June 16 on Max and HBO.
Although the 2023 writers’ strike has affected much of American television, The House of the Dragon has not been affected by it, as the scripts were written and finished before the strike took place.
House of the dragon season 2 cast
After the shocking episode that put the finishing touch on season 1, we can count on the return of the main protagonists, although, clearly, the absence of one of Rhaenyra’s children will be noted: Lucerys Velaryon, played by Elliot Grihault, died in the last episode as a result of a confrontation with his uncle Aemond Targaryen in Storm’s End.
Unless otherwise announced, we can count on the actors to remain: Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen), OIivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen), Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower), Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen), Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon), Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole), Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon II Targaryen), Phia Saban (Helaena Targaryen), Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen), and Harry Collett (Jacaerys Velaryon), among others.
Likewise, Abubakar Salim as Alyn de Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong, Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.
New time jumps in the second season?
The time jumps have been key in the first season of The House of the Dragon, and although some were a little disappointed with the change of interpreter in the main characters of Alicent and Rhaenyra, it was important that they took place. In this way, the series has managed to present us with the basis of what is to come in a single season and leave everything ready for the beginning of the Dance of Dragons.
We’re not sure, but it looks like the second season is going to slow down now that the war has just begun. However, we should not rule out new jumps, perhaps shorter, and new changes of actors or introductions to the younger characters.
What plots will season 2 of ‘The House of the Dragon’ address?
After the outcome of the first season, there is no room for doubt: the civil war has begun, and precisely the first steps of the Dance of the Dragons will be what season 2 covers.
Despite having considered renouncing his inheritance rights and letting Aegon II govern and thus maintain peace, the death of his son Lucerys has been the definitive trigger. In the new episodes, the consequences of what happened will continue to be explored, and, as already happened in the tenth chapter, the two opposing Targaryen factions will be very focused on maintaining the loyalty of their related houses and obtaining new loyalties.
Likewise, screenwriter Sara Hess has promised that season 2 will delve deeper into Rhaenyra and Daemon’s relationship and that viewers will be able to see “a different side of him” in the new episodes.
Two trailers: Green Council and Black Council
To represent the two sides that will face the Targaryens in season 2, the network has released two trailers, each one representing a perspective. So, viewers can also take their own.
Changes behind the scenes
As announced during the first weeks of the series’ broadcast, the’showunner’ Miguel Sapochnik, also director of several episodes and a great veteran of Game of Thrones, will not continue to maintain his functions in the series.
Thus, it is his partner Ryan Condal who remains in charge as ‘showrunner’, while Sapochnik will continue only as executive producer. However, the void left by Sapochnik in direction will be filled by another veteran of the original series, Alan Taylor, director of several key episodes of Game of Thrones.
More future plans: five seasons?
The only official one to date is the second season, but the goal is to tell the entire story, of course. The good thing is that, on this occasion, everything is written and there will be no advances of any kind, nor will unknown territory not explored by George RR Martin have to be explored.
Of course, the author has said that he believes that four full seasons of 10 episodes will be needed to tell the story presented in the books on which the series is based, Fire and Blood. Although it has already been confirmed that season 2 will be shorter than the first, consisting of eight episodes, Something that has put fans on alert as to whether it will maintain the same level as the previous installment.
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