Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of The Dragon season 1 episode 4, and steamy romantic liaisons!

The latest episode of House of The Dragon saw a new and important character come to prominence, and receive the romantic interests of a certain member of the Targaryen household. Having remained largely in the background until now, Ser Criston came rampaging into the action on his stead, to offer gallantry where quite frankly it wasn't needed. His moves did however, serve to bring this lesser known cog in the wheel to the forefront. With a potentially storyline disrupting role predicted for the remainder of the show, exactly who is Ser Criston Cole everyone is talking about - and who is the actor playing him?

He's not the only new man sparking interest in the show, with many having questions about Laenor Velaryon and how he's a dragonrider. Any follower of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones know that it is House Targaryen who own and use a number of dragons to exert their power. But this young character seems to have a special connection some aren't aware of.

Who is Ser Criston Cole in House of The Dragon? 

Ser Criston Cole is also known as Criston the Kingmaker, and started as a knight from House Cole before rising to Lord Commander of the Kingsguard for Viserys I Targaryen. 

Ser Criston was born at Blackhaven in the Dornish Marches in 82 AC. When celebrating the ascension of King Viserys I Targaryen to the Iron Throne he won the attention of the then 7-year-old Princess Rhaenyra, while jousting with Daemon Targaryen. After the pair met, King Viserys indulged Rhaenyra’s fondness of Criston by naming him her personal sworn shield. In 105 AC, Criston became a member of the Kingsguard - picked by Rhaenyra when she was named heir to the Iron Throne.  

He gallops to the rescue of Rhaenyra, when she hot footed it away from her baby brother Aegon’s birthday party in a rage at having her claim to the throne weakened. The pair grow close and become romantically involved - but if the show follows the original source material, this will be a short-lived liaison. 

At some point Ser Criston will be named the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and grow close to Allicent. With Criston and Rhaenyra eventually becoming enemies, Criston could be in the process of being set up as the latest villain of the series. 

How old is Ser Criston Cole?

Ser Criston Cole is 33 years old during the current House of The Dragon timeline. According to George R. R. Martin's books, he is 16 years older than Rhaenyra, who Viserys states to be 17-years-old at one point during the episode. However, it is unknown if Ser Criston's age has also been altered on screen.

Looking back to episode 2, Rhaenyra is 15-years-old. Following the episode 3 time jump, she is now 17 and celebrating (or not) her half brother’s second birthday. This is a departure from the books, which put Rhaenyra at only 9-years-old when her father marries Alicent, meaning she would still only be 11 when she meets Ser Criston. Altering her age to 17 for this time period is an obvious alteration to make. 

Who is the actor playing Ser Criston Cole in House of The dragon?  

Fabien Frankel plays Ser Criston Cole in House of The Dragon. Frankel is a British actor born in London, who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before gaining a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Frankel began his career on stage, in the 2017 stage production of The Knowledge at Charing Cross Theatre. His first television appearance was in the 2019 romantic comedy film Last Christmas. In the same year, he portrayed Theo Sipowicz in a pilot for the potential ABC spinoff series of NYPD Blue. In 2021, he landed the role of Dominique Renelleau in crime drama The Serpent. He is set to appear in upcoming independent comedy Venice at Dawn. House of The Dragon is his highest profile role to date.

Does Rhaenyra sleep with Criston Cole? 

Yes, Rhaenyra does sleep with Criston Cole - both in the books, and the TV show. He is also the first person Rhaenyra goes to bed with.

Rhaenyra first meets up with Daemon, who takes her for a crazy night out in King’s Landing. There’s chaos and debauchery everywhere, and Daemon eventually decides an orgy is the best place to end their evening - this is to teach Rhaenyra to "take what she wants”. The two kiss and nearly have sex, but Daemon calls a halt to the whole thing - this can only be good, he is her uncle after all and the the yuck factor is high. 

Still excited from the events of the evening, Rhaenyra visits Ser Criston in his bedroom. She playfully seduces him, and the two spend the night together. 

House of The Dragon: season 1 episode 4 ending explained 

Daemon’s lover Mysaria, pays a child to spill the beans to Viserys that Daemon and Rhaenyra had sex. When Viserys confronts him, Daemon doesn’t deny the rumor, and viewers wondered why - it is part of his grand plan to pretend Rhaenyra is now ruined for a future husband, to allow him to marry her and make his claim to the Iron Throne that he so desperately wants. 

Daemon also planted the seed in Rhaenyra’s head during the trip to Kings Landing, that she’d never be accepted as Queen, and to let Aegon become heir. When Viserys confronts Rhaenyra, she denies that she and Daemon slept together, although doesn’t divulge that she did have sex with someone that night - just not Daemon. 

However, Viserys still has her sent moon tea - a drink to prevent pregnancy and induce abortion. This proves that Viserys no longer trusts her word, and will go to any lengths to defend her claim to the throne, and the Targaryen lineage. He doesn’t want his daughter’s name ruined with any children born out of wedlock, or rumours that she’s no longer fit for a noble marriage. 

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Video of the Week

Major spoilers ahead for episode 3 of House of The Dragon - and beyond!

Episode 3 of House of The Dragon saw the writers up the ante, after the slower and more methodical pace of episode 2. After Corlys defied King Viserys to team up with delightfully wicked Daemon Targaryen to overthrow the ghoulish crab feeder, the foundations for the first battle of the series were set. Characters have been introduced slowly, to allow viewers to get to know them, and offering room for character development. One character who has lurked in the shadows for 2 episodes, got his moment to shine in episode 3. This left fans asking who exactly is Laenor Velaryon, and how did a Velaryon manage to ride a dragon? Read on to find out.

The newly introduced House is both ancient and noble - to see where Laenor fits in, we have a House Velaryon family tree to compliment our similar who's who guide of House Targaryen - including Viserys's new wife Alicent Hightower. And of course, with all the talk of dragonriders after episode 3, we delve into how many dragons are in House of The Dragon, and answer your other burning dragon-related questions.

Who is Laenor Velaryon in House of The Dragon? 

Ser Laenor Velaryon is the son of Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best). Born in 94 AC he is heir to the family’s Driftmark home, and in episodes 1 and 2 was portrayed by a child. He is a teenager by episode 3 - heralding a change in actor. 

Laenor has one sister - Laena - whom their father Corlys attempted to marry to King Viserys in episode 2, despite her only being 12-years-old. His mother Rhaenys was at one time first in line to the Iron Throne, but when her father Prince Aemon Targaryen, and the eldest son and heir of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen died in 92 AC, Rhaenys was passed over as heir. 

She was replaced by Jaehaerys's second son, Baelon. Had Rhaenys made it to the throne, it would’ve been passed to Laenor - he was denied his claim largely due to his mother being passed over for being a woman. Despite Rhaenys and Corlys continuing to fight for Laenor’s claim, following Baelon's death in 101 AC Viserys was handed the throne, and Laenor lost out again. 

Who plays Laenor Velaryon in House of The Dragon? 

In episode 3 of House of The Dragon, Laenor is played by Theo Nate. However, in episodes 1 and 2 as a child, he was played by Matthew Carver. As an adult he will be played by John Macmillan. 

As an up and coming actor, Theo Nate’s only previous acting credit is “a friend of Stevie’s” in the critically acclaimed BBC drama Time, starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. In an interview with EW, Steve Toussaint - who plays Laenor’s father Corlys - spoke about the relationship the two characters have as father and son. 

He said “Laenor is basically everything that Corlys would want from a son, except for one predilection," although he refused to expand on exactly what predilection - viewers need to stay tuned to find out. He continued "I think that's that age-old thing sometimes with parents trying to live a child's life for them. I think Corlys is guilty of that” hinting that Corlys is trying to mould Laenor into something he isn’t. 

How is Laenor Velaryon a dragonrider? 

Laenor Velaryon can ride a dragon because his mother Rhaenys was a Targaryen before she married a Velaryon. The Targaryen blood allows him to be recognised as a dragonrider. 

Dragonriders are individuals with the ability to bond with and mount a dragon. The magical ability that allowed this, began with the ancient Valyrians - the Targaryens were the only surviving house of ancient Valyrian dragonlords, leaving them the last known dragonriders in the kingdom. Dragons are never able to be tamed, but can be trained with the right magic. 

Dragons can be trained to respond to basic voice commands, but need to be trained quickly - if they aren’t, they will rapidly destroy anything they come into contact with. A dragon will only bond with and choose one rider at a time - they will be loyal to that rider while they remain alive. Once a rider dies, the dragon will allow another human to take their place. 

The command "Dracarys" is used to summon the dragon to breathe immediate fire on whatever is before it - the term is old Valyrian for "dragonfire". 

Who rode Seasmoke?

Laenor Velaryon rode Seasmoke. Fans watching episode 3 initially mistakenly believed Laenor went to battle on Caraxes - Daemon’s dragon, as Seasmoke hadn’t officially been introduced in the show.

However, Laenor is definitely riding Seasmoke, as they have bonded and chosen one another. Seasmoke is a pale, silver-grey dragon, who is still very young when Laenor rides him into the battle at Stepstones. Being not yet fully grown made him more nimble in the air during the battle, offering him and Laenor an advantage. 

Of his dragon brothers, he was a similar size to Tessarion, who was roughly three times smaller than Vermithor - both were considered less fearsome. No dragon compared to Belarion the Black Dread - the largest dragon ever born, whose skull sits prominently at the Red Keep. 

Is Laenor the father of Rhaenyra’s children? 

Officially, Laenor is the father of Rhaenyra’s 3 children. Their 3 sons were named Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon. However, it was widely rumoured that the children were a result of Rhaenyra’s multiple affairs.

The book also recounts how the pair - who are also cousins - don’t spend much time together, and that Laenor instead took a series of male lovers. Although it remains to be seen how true the series will stay to the books, Rhaenyra actually ends up marrying another cousin - the evil Daemon. To find out whether her marriage with Laenor will be included, viewers will have to stay tuned. 

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• Where is House of the Dragon filmed?
• When is House of the Dragon set and is it a sequel or prequel?
• When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date - plus where and how to watch it
• House of the Dragon cast: A who's who guide to the Game of Thrones spin-off

Video of the Week

From spectacular mountains to ethereal beaches - every stunning location bringing The Rings of Power to life.

For anyone who's seen The Lord of The Rings and is expecting similarly stunning set locations from The Rings of Power - there won’t be disappointment from the show that isn't quite a prequel. Early glimpses of what could be coming in the show sparked excitement about the beautiful backdrops that would offset the action in the show. The location scouts have certainly done their job, as we outline every New Zealand location featured in the series - some of which might be familiar to some eagle-eyed fans.

As well as dreaming of the locations featured, fans were also asking if Gandalf and Saueron would appear in The Rings of Power. It's not the only characters TV audiences have been asking questions about with House of the Dragon exploring the familiar House Targaryen - albeit Daenarys's ancestors.

Where is The Rings of Power filmed? 

The Rings of Power was filmed entirely in New Zealand. External filming took place across various New Zealand locations, while internal shots were filmed at two Auckland film studios. 

The Denize Bluffs are situated at the edge of a family farm in the Mangaotaki Valley near Piopio, in the Waikato region of New Zealand. Featured in the show, the Denize Bluffs are enormous limestone cliffs featuring unusual rock formations, surrounded by native forest. Fans might recognise the area from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, where they made up part of Trollshaws Forest.

The Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana in Hauraki, Auckland, translates as “the mournful sea”. In legend, the Hauraki Gulf is protected by a taniwha - a supernatural protective guardian - named Ureia, who takes the form of a whale. The area has been home to the Māori people for thousands of years. With black sandy beaches set against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, it's no wonder the area was chosen for filming. 

The Coromandel Peninsula in Waikato with its beautiful beaches, is one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations. It’s home to Cathedral Cove, featuring a much-photographed naturally formed archway. 

The seaside village of Piha in New Lynn, Auckland, also features in the show. Sitting 45 minutes west of Auckland city, this black sand beach is surrounded by rugged cliffs and is a popular surfing spot. As well as being known for learning to surf, abseiling the Piha canyon is a popular activity to try here. 

The cast of The Rings of Power can be seen climbing Mount Kidd, located in Fiordland National Park. The National Park has looked the same for thousands of years, and features stunning fiords and waterfalls, as well as snow-capped peaks. The area is also known for its mountainside rainforests, waterfalls, lakes, and granite peaks.  

Kahurangi National Park is the second largest national park in New Zealand after Fiordland, and also hosted film crews. Kahurangi National Park was occupied by Maori from the 14th century and the coast was much travelled by those looking for greenstone. In Lord of The Rings, the area served as location for Dimrill Dale and the outcrop south of Rivendell.  

 Also a part of Fiordland National Park, Manapouri is home to the second deepest lake in New Zealand. The area is popular for kayaking and cruise boating. It also featured in Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers, when Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are attempting to enter Mordor.  

When was The Rings of Power filmed?

The Rings of Power was filmed between February 2020 and August 2021. The filming experienced unprecedented delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Despite closing their borders to much of the world during the pandemic, New Zealand granted the cast and crew of the show special permission to enter. Not much filming had been completed before filming was shut down for two weeks when New Zealand had 8 confirmed cases of the virus. 

A memo was sent to the cast and crew reading “We are doing this to minimise stress on the resources and infrastructures around us by doing our part to reduce population density in our communities and daily activities, in efforts to help reduce the spread of the virus”. 

Where does The Rings of Power take place?

The Rings of Power takes place during the Second Age of Middle-earth. Middle-earth is equivalent to the Miðgarðr of Norse mythology, or Middangeard in Old English.

The events of The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings also take place in Middle Earth, although during the Third Age. Middle-earth is the main continent of Arda - or Earth - in Tolkien’s imagination, ending with the Third Age as the Fourth Age finally entered a period of peace. Middle-earth is populated with Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Dragons, Trolls, and Orcs, alongside men. All mythological creatures eventually fade away, until only humans are left. 

Why is The Rings of Power moving to the UK? 

Relocating to the UK will allow the cast to remain close to home - a lot of whom are British. The move will also see Prime Video expand its footprint in the country.

When the series was filmed in New Zealand and the pandemic hit, the cast and crew found it very difficult to leave the country and visit friends and family. The original books were also imagined around English landscapes, and filming in the Uk could maintain an authenticity of the country's climate and aesthetic. 

In a statement, VP and Co-Head of TV Vernon Sanders, said "we want to thank the people and the government of New Zealand for their hospitality and dedication and for providing The Lord of the Rings series with an incredible place to begin this epic journey". He continued "we are grateful to the New Zealand Film Commission, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Unlimited, and others for their tremendous collaboration that supported the New Zealand film sector and the local economy during the production of Season One".

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Video of the Week

Whereabouts in the epic timeline will the show take us?

The Rings of Power release date is here, and with that comes a whole host of questions. The First Age in Tolkien’s universe lasted 600 years. The Second Age came in at 3441 years. The Third Age - where the events of The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings took place - came in at 3021 years. That’s one monster timeline to cover. Now that fans know exactly when they can settle down and immerse themselves in the first 2 episodes, the next question is where exactly in Tolkien’s world will they find themselves in - is The Rings of Power a prequel or a sequel? Here, we have some answers.

This isn’t the only burning question on fans' lips, as they also want to know if Gandalf and Sauron will appear in The Rings of Power. In other spinoff news, House of the Dragon set in the years before the events of Game of Thrones, wasted no time in dropping bombshells for audiences to unpick in the latest episode. We saw it announced that Alicent Hightower will marry Viserys in a move that is set to rock the Targaryen reign. And all whilst terrifying antagonist the crab feeder continues his claim on the Steptones. The two blockbuster franchises will be battling it out for ratings success this September.

Is The Rings of Power a prequel or a sequel? 

The Rings of Power is a prequel as it is set in the Second Age, thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings - which took place in the Second Age. 

However, producers of the show have said they don’t want viewers to view it as a prequel, but as a standalone series. In an interview with EW, showrunner Patrick McKay explained the reasons for this. He said “We were not interested in doing a show about the younger version of the same world you knew, where it's a little bit of a prequel. We wanted to go way, way, way back and find a story that could exist on its own two feet. This was one that we felt hadn't been told on the level and the scale and with the depth that we felt it deserved”.

Another reason for this could purely be technicality. The Tolkien estate continues to have some rights over which parts of his works can be used. The Rings of Power was forbidden from recreating anything appearing in The Lord of The Rings trilogy. This left Amazon with the rights to do a series based on Tolkien’s Third Age, but unable to use much of the source material. Therefore, producers had no option but to base the series on existing material, but not directly tell any existing stories. In this sense, this doesn’t make the show a prequel.  

The Rings of Power: Plot

The series is set in the Second Age at a time Elrond founded Rivendell, and Sauron began his quest to create the Rings of Power from his Mordorian base. The focus will be on elven warrior Galadriel - leader of the Northern armies, and the human Halbrand. The character of Halbrand has been created specifically for the show, and the two meet when Galadriel is pulled from the Sundering Seas and into a wrecked boat where Halbrand is also a passenger. When her elven status is uncovered, Galadriel is again pushed from the boat, which is then attacked by a sea creature. After the attack, Galadriel survives and finds Halbrand is the lone survivor of the boat. These events entwine the two character’s paths.  

The official synopsis reads “Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone”. 

Is The Rings of Power based on The Silmarillion?

The Rings of Power draws on concepts from The Silmarillion, but is not based entirely on it. The show also draws from other aspects of Tolkien’s work.

Alongside references from The Silmarillion, Ideas were also taken from Appendices of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien never outlined the events of the Second Age in detail, and the only description of them can be found in the Appendix, also known as the Tale of Years. It’s also been reported that the producers took inspiration from songs found in the Lord of The Rings, and the tales characters tell one another, to forge connections in the show with original Tolkien mythology. 

However, according to Mashable, the fourth part of The Silmarillion - Akallabêth - takes place in the Second Age. They suggest a version of this will definitely appear in the show. With Akallabêth focusing on the human kingdom of Númenor, this important element of Tolkien's mythology can already be seen in the show and will possibly play a big part. If not season 1, it’s thought events from Akallabêth will play centre stage in season 2. 

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Video of the Week

Episode 2 of House of the Dragon dropped a bombshell that will see Alicent Hightower and her life changed forever.

Much like it's predecessor Game of Thrones, viewers are quickly learning that it's every man for himself in the new House of the Dragon universe. Whether you're a the current Iron Throne inhabitant from House of Targaryen with a huge number of dragons in tow, an embittered and 'snakey' rival from House Velaryon, or a fairly gruesome-looking crab feeder looking to conquer the Stepstones.

Another character set to make their moves and better their standing this series is that of Alicent Hightower, daughter to the King's hand. Originally a treasured friend of Princess Rhaenyra, audiences are set to see her marry Viserys - in a plot heavily orchestrated by her father Ser Otto. And many want to know more about the young Queen and what the future holds for this so-called 'Cersei 2.0'.

How old is Alicent Hightower when she marries Viserys?

Born in 88 AC, Alicent Hightower is 18-years-old when she marries King Viserys I Targaryen in 106 AC. In House of the Dragon, Ser Otto Hightower's daughter is 14 when Viserys first wife Aemma dies. The two develop a close and secret friendship in the four years after, culminating in their nuptials.

Her father Otto, in his role as Hand of the King (played by House of the Dragon cast member Rhys Ifans) is the orchestrator of such union. Audience members see Otto tell Alicent in a scene from episode one to go to the King and comfort him following Aemma's death. 

The meeting at first appears awkward - due to the age difference and her friendship with the king's daughter Princess Rhaenyra. However, having also just lost her mother, Alicent and Viserys form an unlikely bond over their shared grief.

Emily Carey who plays the young Alicent explains that her character initially goes to Viserys “out of kindness". Adding: "She doesn’t go intentionally to court the King. She cares, and she has seen her father go through the same grief that Viserys is going through."

Breaking down their relationship, she tells Collider that for King Viserys it's about "having someone who genuinely cares without having an ulterior motive of trying to get closer to him. And for Alicent, it’s just someone to be with where she feels comfortable and not overlooked."

Why does King Viserys marry Alicent?

King Viserys marries Alicent to strengthen his reign over the Seven Kingdoms and to continue the Targaryen blood line. After Aemma's death, the council put pressure on him to remarry for these reasons - and it is thought he chooses Alicent because of their growing friendship.

Council member Corlys Velaryon initially proposes a match between Viserys and his 12-year-old daughter Laena. Their potential union is seen as an advantageous one - drawing the line under any ill-feeling that remains from when Viserys was chosen over his female cousin Rhaenys Targaryen (Corlys's wife) as the previous King's successor. Viserys was selected by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal.

However, King Viserys decides to marry Alicent and not Laena. Being older, she is better prepared to produce heirs and is already familiar with Viserys. The official HBO website also describes Alicent as being "noted for her surpassing beauty and courtly intuition" which could have also led the decision to going in her favour. 

Actress Emily Carey finds the pairing of Alicent and Viserys mutually beneficial in House of the Dragon. Speaking to EW on the West of Westeros podcast, she said: "They find this emotional vulnerability with one another that I don't think they really find with anyone else. There's an underlying guilt from both sides, especially when it comes to the point of marriage... But I think they bring out a softness in one another."

Does Alicent Hightower have a child?

Yes, Alicent Hightower goes on to have four children with King Viserys - sons Aegon, Aemond and Daeron, plus daughter Helaena. Eldest child Aegon - born a year after his parents wed - is the first-born son of the king and as such proves to be problematic to named heir Rhaenyra Targaryen.

After her marriage to Viserys, Alicent Hightower technically becomes step-mother to Rhaenyra too, which doesn't bode well for their long-standing friendship.

Episode 3 of House of the Dragon will see Alicent become pregnant and later give birth to son Aegon. Audiences can get a sneak peak of the boy in the episode 3 teaser - and as is customary with Targaryens - it shows young Aegon with a crop of striking white blonde hair.

Who plays Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon?

Young Alicent - Emily Carey

Emily Carey plays the young Alicent in House of the Dragon. The 19-year-old's former acting credits include BBC show Casualty and playing the character Mika Cavanaugh in Netflix's Get Even.

Commenting on the marriage of her character Alicent and Viserys, she told EW: "It changes one of the branches of the show, if that makes sense. It pushes things in a different direction. And for my character it's, of course, a massive turn."

She also shared hilarious details on how she bonded with actor Paddy Considine (who plays Viserys) behind the scenes. Despite being 17 at the time of filming (and Paddy - 46-years-old) the two found a common interest:

"Paddy is a massive Drag Race fan, and so am I," Carey said. "So I'd come into set and be like, 'Hey, Paddy, did you watch the new episode of All Stars?' He'd be like, 'Oh my God, yes! Let's talk about it.' And so that's how we'd start every morning."

Adult Alicent - Olivia Cooke

28-year-old Olivia Cooke takes on the role of the older Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon. The British actress previously rose to prominence as Becky Sharp in the TV adaptation of Vanity Fair, plus the A&E drama thriller Bates Motel.

Olivia is set to make her debut as Queen Alicent in episode 3 of the HBO series. In an interview with American Vogue, she shared what appealed her to the role: "I’m such a staunch feminist, and to play someone who—to put it mildly—believes in tradition and has been molded and groomed by her father to be a pawn in his political ambitions was really interesting," she said.

Olivia added:  "Embarking on something like this that already has such a legacy, there’s a huge amount of pressure when taking the role, and I didn’t take that lightly. Everyone’s gonna have an opinion about absolutely every single detail of House of the Dragon, but ultimately it’s not my monkey. I know that I’ve done my part to the best that I can do, and that’s the most important thing."

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• Where was House of The Dragon filmed?
• When is House of the Dragon set?
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Video of the Week

They were central to the series’ predecessors - will they show up this time around?

Gandalf has to be one of the most unforgettable wizards of all time. His nurturing nature and iconic lines belied a strength both fearsome and awesome. As a disembodied eye, Sauron managed to become one of the most fearsome antagonists ever seen on screen. After a 5 year wait, The Rings of Power release date is confirmed. With the series finally upon us, there's two questions everyone is are asking - from whether The Rings of Power is a prequel or sequel - to whether Gandalf and Sauron will appear? We uncover the answer to the all important second question here.

Not the only spinoff getting everyone talking, it’s been hard to miss the release of House of The Dragon set years before the events of Game of Thrones. The feuding House Targaryen take centre stage, along with newly introduced noble House Velaryon. And what would the show be without the expected grisly antagonists - episode 2 had viewers asking who is the crab feeder - who enjoys watching his captives die in unusual ways.    

Is Gandalf in The Rings of Power? 

It remains unconfirmed whether Gandalf will appear in The Rings of Power, but it’s widely speculated that “The Stranger” from the trailer and episode 1 - is him. The unnamed man who appears to be a wizard, crashes into Middle Earth on a meteorite. 

Some die-hard fans think that the inclusion of Gandalf in the series is a slight on the work of Tolkien, who they feel wouldn’t allow the timeline to happen this way. However, as it’s based on the appendices appearing following Tolkien’s trilogy of stories, there is no firm timeline. This is also big budget entertainment - new characters have been written for the series, suggesting there’s no reason why the writers couldn't have a storyline where Gandalf shows up. 

According to Polygon, the first 2 episodes have now proved that the stranger is very unlikely to be the Dark Lord, or Mithrandir. The Gandalf theory still stands for a lot of people, as showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne all confirmed in an interview with Vanity Fair that the mysterious figure would be of similar status to Gandalf. However, they refused to expand on this, saying “the mystery and the journey of it is all of the fun, I would say”, which is easily interpreted as “wait and see”.

It’s likely the stranger is a Maiar spirit - which Gandalf is. One fan took to Twitter to convince others of the theory the man arriving on a meteor is Gandalf. He said “The Stranger is 100% Gandalf. His appearance, those deep, wise eyes, the way he treats animals, the sign which reminds of the one on Bilbo's door. Plus the person he comes across, a Brandyfoot, a direct ancestor of Merry Brandybock”.

It’s also been pointed out that the other Istari such as the Blue Wizards and Balrogs, are also Maiar spirits, meaning the stranger could also become one of those characters. However, whether it be wishful thinking or not, the majority of fans believe the man is Gandalf. There is evidence for and against, but time will tell.  

 Is Sauron in The Rings of Power? 

Yes, it’s been confirmed that Sauron will appear in The Rings of Power. However, it hasn’t been confirmed which form he will take in the show. 

The series is set during the Second Age where one of the focuses is the creation of the One Ring. As Sauron forged the One Ring during the second age - to gain power over the free people of Middle-earth - it appears inevitable he would be part of the story. Disguised as Annatar or the Lord of Gifts, he tricks the Elven smiths of Eregion into making the Rings of Power.

Speaking to Total Film, showrunner JD Payne confirmed the character’s inclusion in the show by saying "We can say that when he appears, it might be in a way people aren't expecting". Fans on social media continue to speculate which form the character will take. One suggested it was a good idea to show him in varying forms to keep audiences guessing and tuning in for more.

Who is playing Sauron in The Rings of Power?

The actor playing Sauron in The Rings of Power remains unconfirmed, however, it is widely speculated to be a character played by Bridie Sisson.

There was initial been widespread confusion over this portrayal, which has only just been cleared up by the show’s producers. When the trailer for the show landed, a mysterious fair haired hooded character was revealed - fans immediately believed this to be Sauron. No confirmation was given regarding this, or the actor in the part. Sleuths went on to reveal the actor to be Anson Boon - it was then widely reported that this was definitely the case. 

In an interview with Time Magazine, the producers then set out to put everyone straight - fan speculation and investigation had been wrong. Executive producer Lindsay Weber said “We are enjoying all the speculation online and can tell you Bridie Sisson is an incredible actor. We also thought fans might like to know that her character is traveling from far to the east - from the lands of Rhûn.” The actor is not Anson Boon at all, but actress Bridie Sisson.

Rhûn is known to be one of the lands Sauron once lived, offering confirmation Sisson’s character could be him. Sauron is also a shapeshifter, meaning he could show up in any form before revealing his true self. As well as making him difficult to spot, it also covers his ability to show up in different genders. As with Gandalf, time will also tell if Sisson is an early incarnation of Sauron. 

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Video of the Week

Size and numbers definitely matter with these incredible beasts. Which is why we've shared all you need to know about the dragons in House of the Dragon.

There’s no denying the most exciting moments translated from George R. R. Martin’s universe has included Dragons. Their entrance was well worth the wait in Game of Thrones, but they have been a feature of House of The Dragon from the outset - and there’s the anticipation of some serious dragon action to come. We know that Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen had 3 dragons - the only ones remaining of what was left of centuries of Targaryen dragon ownership. But how many dragons are in House of The Dragon? We reveal just how many they are, and other exciting details about TV’s most exciting mode of fantasy transport.

As well as dragons, human foes abound in the show - with the introduction of grisly new character the crab feeder. Plus Alicent Hightower's sweet girl persona might not seem all it's cracked to be. House Velaron is also set to be a threat to the reign of King Viserys (played by House of the Dragon cast member Paddy Considine) the current figurehead of the Dragon bloodline. Check out our comprehensive House Targaryen family tree to find out how he, Rhaenyra, Daemon and the mad king are related to Daenerys.

How many dragons are in House of The Dragon? 

In House of the Dragon the Targaryen’s own 17 dragons - 9 of which feature in season 1. So far, viewers have met Syrax - a favourite of King Viserys’ daughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. 

Caraxes - also known as the Blood Wyrm - has also featured. He is loyal to the Prince Daemon Targaryen, and became threatening to Viserys’ men when they approached Dragonstone to confront him. In the books, George R. R. Martin describes how the Valyrian Freehold in Essos was originally ruled by dragon lord families using magic to tame the dragons - one such family were the Targaryens. 

After the Doom of Valyria, the Targaryens were the only dragon wielding family left alive. Every dragon and person were wiped out during the Doom, and the Targaryen’s only survived because they fled to Peyredragon with 5 dragons before the Doom took hold. As the only surviving Valyrians with the magic to control dragons, the Targaryens are the last living dragon riders.

List of dragons in House of The Dragon

• Balerion - Rider: Aegon the Conqueror 
• Vhagar - Rider: Aemond Targaryen
• The Cannibal - never ridden due to being too wild to be tamed
• Vermithor - Rider: King Jaeherys I
• Silverwing - Rider: Queen Alysanne Targaryen
• Sheepstealer - Rider: Nettles, mistress of Daemon Targaryen
• Dreamfyre - Rider: Helaena Targaryen
• Syrax  - Rider: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Caraxes - Rider: Daemon Targaryen
• Meleys - Rider: Rhaenys Targaryen
• Sunfyre - Rider: Aegon II Targaryen
• Grey Ghost - Rider: Laenor Velaryon
• Tessarion - Rider: Daeron Targaryen
• Seasmoke -  Rider: Laenor Targaryen
• Vermax - Rider: Prince Jacaerys Velaryon
• Arrax - Rider: Prince Lucerys Velaryon
• Moondancer - Rider: Lady Baela Targaryen

Who has the biggest dragon in House of The Dragon? 

King Viserys has the biggest dragon in House of The Dragon called Balerion the Black Dread. Prior to being ridden by Viserys, he was ridden by King Aegon I Targaryen during the Conquest. 

Balerion's scales and wings were black, and he breathed black fire. His flames were so hot they had the ability to melt steel, and fuse sand into glass. His wingspan was so wide, his shadow could cover entire towns when he passed - it was also said his teeth were as long as swords, and he could swallow mammoths whole. 

Born around 114 BC, By 93 AC Balerion had become slow and difficult to rouse. By the time King Viserys came to ride him, he was only able to make short journeys and his strength was failing. He died in 94 AC, when he was approximately 200 years old - his skull is on display in the Red Keep.

Who has the biggest dragon in Game of Thrones?

Drogon is the biggest dragon in Game of Thrones and is owned by Daenerys Targaryen. One of three belonging to the 'Mother of Dragons', Drogon is named after Daenerys's late husband Khal Drogo. 

Drogon's scales are black, while his horns, spinal plates, and eyes are red. Like Belarion he breathes black fire with flashes of red, with heat from this felt from a distance of 30 feet. He bleeds black blood and is thought to be a reincarnation of Belarion, although Daenerys chose to give him a new name for his new life. 

When his brothers Rhaegal and Viserion perished throughout the events of Game of Thrones, Drogon was left the only remaining dragon in existence. He was last seen flying away from the Iron Throne after Daenerys's death. 

Is House of the Dragon about the dance of dragons? 

No, House of the Dragon isn’t about the Dance of the Dragons, but instead tells the story of the events leading up to it. This includes a rivalry between Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower that results in a civil war for the throne. 

The civil war over the rightful owner of the Iron Throne is called Dance of the Dragons due to the warring Targaryens and the dragons they ride and involve in the battle. Events begin with King Viserys I Targaryen being chosen as the heir, instead of his female cousin and rightful heir, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. 

King Viserys announces his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the throne when he produces no male offspring. When a later marriage to Alicent Hightower produces legitimate male heirs, Viserys keeps to his word and doesn’t overthrow Rhaenyra’s position. An enraged Alicent begins a feud with Rhaenyra that descends into civil war.

Related House of The Dragon features: 

• When is House of the Dragon set and is it a sequel or prequel?
• When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date - plus where and how to watch it
• Where was House of the Dragon filmed? The locations you can visit country by country

Video of the Week

The fascinating and complicated House Velaryon are a new dynasty to some Game of Throne fans...

House of The Dragon exploded onto screens on 21 August, leaving audiences hungry for more of the action. Gory scenes abound within minutes of the opening episode airing, came as no surprise to anyone who has seen the show’s forerunner - Game of Thrones. Central to the already mesmerising plot, are members of House Velaryon alongside the well-established House of Targaryen. Although the clan might be a new name for some, the House is certainly not new to George R. R Martin’s universe. Read on for everything you need to know about the ancient House Velaryon, and a breakdown of their family tree.

It's not the only burning questions GOT fans have about the spin-off show, with many wanting to know more about the King's betrothed Alicent Hightower and  and who is the crab feeder - with both characters set to dominate the storyline in the forthcoming episodes.

Who are House Velaryon in House of The Dragon?

House Velaryon of Driftmark are rulers of Driftmark - the largest island of Blackwater Bay - and sworn to neighbouring Dragonstone. The residing head of House Velaryon is offered the title Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark. 

They are an ancient and proud house, descended from the Valyrian people, and proud of the Valyrian blood running through their veins. The early members of House Velaryon made their way to Westeros even before the equally ancient House Targaryen. The Driftwood throne, the ruling seat of the dynasty, is positioned in the castle of Driftmark. This is named for the driftwood brought to its shores from the ever-moving tides. Legend has it that the Merling King gifted them the throne, to conclude a pact.

Contrary to popular belief, Velaryons are unable to ride dragons, although they remain closely allied with the dragon-riding Targaryens. Favouring the sea, Velaryon-built ships are held in high esteem, and it was given that House members served on the small council as master of ships. As with the Targaryens, the Valyrian bloodlines of the House often means that distinguishing traits include Valyrian features - this can be silver hair, and  purple or indigo eyes.

Why is House Velaryon not in Game of Thrones?

By the time events of Game of Thrones take place, House Velaryon had largely died out and lost their power. During their time of prominence they made a strong bid for the Iron Throne, but lost their stake in the battle with the loss of their status and power. 

Corlys Velaryon, or the “Sea Snake” as he’s popularly known, leads House Velaryon at the start of House of The Dragon. He had several bastard children, and had some of them legitimised. Following Corlys’ death, his newly legitimised grandson Alyn Oakenfist took the helm of the House. He became responsible for House Velaryon losing their power, as their wealth and status dwindled under his rule.  

Other prominent and influential family members that could have contributed to the resurrection of the House’s status also died during this time. Alyn himself was lost at sea in approximately 175 AC, and this was the final death knell of House Velaryon’s power. By the time Game of Thrones picks up around 125 years following Alyn’s death, the House was no more. Corlys Velaryon - responsible for the rise of the dynasty, also saw its downfall in appointing the wrong successor, and the House essentially died with him. 

House Velaryon family tree 

One of the earliest Velaryons was Valaena Velaryon. Descended from Targaryens, Valaena married Aerion Targaryen. They had 3 children together; Visenya, Aegon, and Rhaenys. Her son, Aegon the Conqueror, was first to sit on the Iron Throne. Aegon married and had families with both his sisters. Daemon Velaryon was closely allied with House Targaryen when Aegon took the throne, becoming master of ships for the ruler. Daemon had two sons named Aethan and Corlys, and Aethan took the Lord of the Tides title when Daemon died in the year 2 AC. Corlys went on to become Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

When Aethan died, Daemon took leadership of House Velaryon. He took the prestigious titles of master of ships and Hand of The King for various Iron Throne rulers. However, he left both positions behind to return to Driftmark when his sister Alyssa passed away. Although Daemon Velaryon had several children, they all passed away before he did, and he eventually died around 90 AC. Corlys Velaryon - his grandson - took up position as head of the House, and he is the character featured in House of the Dragon.

Corlys Velaryon grew the wealth and power of House Velaryon, and became the Master of Driftmark and master of ships upon his succession to head of the House. His wife is Rhaenys Targaryen, the daughter of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen’s eldest son Aemon. Together they have 2 children, Laenor and Laena. 

House Velaryon: casting

Unnecessary criticism was made regarding the decision to cast a Black actor in the role of Corlys Velaryon. George R.R. Martin played a close role in casting of the show, and has advocated diversity within the adaption. 

It’s been pointed out that Corlys’ skin colour was never discussed in any of the books. Those taking issue with the casting have made assumptions that because he is of Valyrian descent, he would naturally have the pale skin and silver hair of his ancestors. But it’s been ascertained that not every single Valyrian descendent would have those characteristics as they’re recessive genes and can be overridden by other genetics. 

Speaking to Men's Health of the more unsavoury casting opinions, actor Steve Toussaint said “They are happy with a dragon flying. They're happy with white hair and violet-coloured eyes, but a rich Black guy? That's beyond the pale”.

He did however add: “What has been wonderful is for every toxic person that has somehow found their way into my timeline, there have been so many others who have been so supportive and been like, 'Oh my God, I can't wait, this is going to be great!”’

Is Corlys Velaryon a Targaryen?

No, Corlys Velaryon is not a Targaryen. His family have been close allies of the Targaryens, and it is often thought the two Houses are interchangeable, but Corlys is firmly a Velaryon.

House Velaryon also closely served the Targaryens, and Corlys is married to a Targrayen, but is not one himself. His wife is cousin of King Viserys I. Their bloodlines may have become mixed along the show’s timeline through marriage, but they remain separate Houses. 

Related House of the Dragon features

• How many dragons are in House of the Dragon?
• When is House of The Dragon set?
• Meet the House of the Dragon cast
• Where is House of the Dragon filmed?
• When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date

Video of the Week

Get acquainted with House Targaryen with our handy who's-who family tree to compliment your House of the Dragon viewing.

House of The Dragon landed on August 21 to plenty of anticipation and fanfare. With much trepidation surrounding whether the show could possibly live up to its cult predecessor Game of Thrones, it's safe to say those fears have been put to rest. The latest outing of George R. R. Martin's incredible Thrones-verse already has critics and fans exploding with praise, and the pitch perfect House of The Dragon cast have brought his characters to life. At the heart of the new series is new House Velaryon, a certain Alicent Hightower and of course the Targaryens - the ruling family of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. And we've broken down the Targaryen family tree, explaining who was the Mad King, and where newcomers Princess Rhaenyra and Daemon sit within the dynasty.

Those that have are up-to-date with the latest episodes might also find our guide on who is the crab feeder informative. We've delved into his background and the actor playing him as he gets set to feature heavily in the next few episodes.

Who is the Mad King in House of The Dragon? 

The Mad King is actually King Aerys II Targaryen, Daenerys Targaryen’s father. He doesn’t actually appear in House of The Dragon, because events of the show take place prior to his birth.  

Aerys continued a Targaryen tradition of maintaining pure bloodlines, by marrying his sister, Rhaella Targaryen. As a young King, Aerys was generous and ambitious, and his reign was a peaceful one. He began a slow descent into madness by becoming jealous of the power of others, and displaying paranoia towards his family and those offering him counsel. During a battle at the Defiance of Duskendale, Aerys was captured and imprisoned. This saw him fully succumb to his madness, and when freed, he executed all those involved in the rebellion. His reign then became full of death and murder, and he earned the title the Mad King. 

During an attack by his former friend and hand Tywin Lannister, Aerys ordered his Kinsguard Jaime Lannister to kill Tywin. Jaime betrayed the Mad King, by stabbing him in the back - this is the legend behind his nickname of “King Slayer”.  So despised was Aerys, that nobody wanted to avenge his death, and Jaime Lannister was pardoned. Robert Baratheon took the Iron Throne, ending the Targaryen Dynasty who had ruled the Seven Kingdoms for 300 years. Aerys’ surviving children, Viserys and Daenerys, were sent to the Free Cities for safety. Game of Thrones picks up their story from there. 

Do all Targaryen’s go mad?

No, not all Targaryen’s will go mad. Keeping their bloodline pure through incest resulted in some mental instability, but not always a pure madness.

Some Targaryens displayed unusual behaviour that was not classified insane. Some had aggressive and sociopathic personalities, with some personality traits being linked to a magical power in old Valyrian blood - from which Targaryens are descended. This magic is said to be responsible for some level of instability, and possibly that Targaryens no longer knew how to control the magic running through their veins, once it had disappeared from the world. 

Rhaegar Targaryen - Daenerys’ oldest brother - was certainly not mad, and was considered a potentially great future leader. Maester Aemon revealed himself as a Targrayen descendant, and he was a wise and sane advisor to the Night's Watch. It has been said that only 6 Targaryen’s were truly mad - King Baelor I Targaryen, Prince Rhaegel Targaryen, Prince Aerion Targaryen, King Aerys II Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen, and eventually, Daenerys herself. 

Who is in the House of Targaryen Family Tree?

Aegon the Conquerer was the first documented Targaryen, conquering Westeros with his dragons and becoming the sole ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Dates within the universe are counted “Before Conquest” (BC) or “After Conquest” (AC). 

Dying in 37 AC, Aegon I Targaryen’s son Aenys I Targaryen took the iron throne. Aenys arranged the marriage of his eldest son and daughter - Princess Rhaena and Prince Aegon. Having been exiled, Aenys’ sixth son Maegor made a dramatic return to the Seven Kingdoms and reclaimed the Iron Throne for himself - following his death in 48 AD, Maegor was succeeded to the throne by Aenys’s only remaining heir, Jaehaerys.

Following a long and uninterrupted reign of 55 years, Viserys l Targaryen - Jaehaerys’ grandson - took up the throne in 103 AC. It’s under Viserys l rule, that House of The Dragon picks up from. His wife Lady Aemma Arryn, suffered many miscarriages and stillbirths, and at the beginning of the series the couple only have a single daughter together. Viserys remains awaiting the arrival of a son and heir. 

Rhaenys Targaryen also appears in House of The Dragon, is the firstborn child of Aemon Targaryen. Her husband is Corlys “The Sea Snake” Velaryon, descendant of another powerful dynasty. She had a claim to the throne that was overturned, in favour of her cousin Viserys. 

Who are Princess Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen?

Princess Rhaenyra is the only child of King Viserys l Taragryen, and his late wife Lady Aemma Arryn. Daemon Targaryen is Viserys’ brother, and rightful heir to the Iron Throne.  

However, unhappy with his brother’s behaviour, Viserys denies Daemon the title of King, and announces Rhaenyra will succeed him instead. Rhaenyra was 8-years-old at the time her succession was announced. Prince Daemon Targaryen was the youngest son of Prince Baelon Targaryen and a highly experienced warrior and dragon rider. 

Princess Rhaenyra and Daemon’s relationship to Daenerys explained

***Spoilers for possible House of The Dragon storylines ahead***

Rhaenyra is Daenerys’ great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. Daenerys’ relationship to Daemon is not so simple. With a very complicated bloodline separating them, he can only be described as a distant uncle.  

Following the death of their spouses, Rhaenyra and Daemon marry in 120 AC. Together, they have 3 children, Aegon the Younger, Viserys, and Visenya. When Viserys dies in 129 AC, his wife, Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower defies his dying wish, and crowns his son Aegon II King. Rhaenyra responds to this by declaring war - a war that kills thousands of men and sees the demise of several dragons. 

Aegon II kills Rhaenyra, and  betrothes his daughter Jaehaera to Aegon the Younger, her only surviving child. Aegon dies in In 131 AC, and the throne is taken by 11-year-old Aegon the Younger, who becomes Aegon III Targaryen. When he dies in 157 AC, his eldest son Daeron I Targaryen takes the throne, until his demise in 160 AC. 

Dying without an heir, Daeron’s younger brother Baelor I Targaryen takes the throne, and is succeeded in 171 AC - the throne is taken by his uncle, Prince Viserys, brother of Aegon III. Viserys becomes King Viserys ll. He is succeeded by his eldest son, Aegon IV. 

Aegon is succeeded by his son, Daeron II - his son takes the throne in 209 AC, becoming Aerys I Targaryen. In 221 AC, Aerys I's youngest brother, Maekar reigns for 12 years, until his youngest son Aegon V is crowned King. Aegon V's second son Jaehaerys II Targaryen takes the throne in 259 AC and is succeeded by his only son, Aerys II Targaryen after only 3 years of ruling. Aerys ll is, of course, the Mad King, and this is where the events of Game of Thrones begin. 

Why do Targaryens have white hair? 

The official name for the Targaryen hair colour is silver, and not all Targaryen’s share that colour, although a lot of them do. 

According to Reddit, the Targaryens are descended from the high Lords of Valyria, and of pure Valyrian blood. They took on the traits of the Valyrians including white blonde, or silver hair. They also have eye colour of varying shades of purple, violet, and indigo, which puts them in stark contrast to “ordinary” people who display normal human features and characteristics. 

It is believed that inbreeding began in order to retain what the Targrayens would have felt to be superior characteristics, setting them apart from other races. It is speculated that as the genes for silver hair and purple eyes are recessive, they would easily have been overridden by more dominant genes - offering another reason for inbreeding. As an example, Jon Snow was half Targaryen, and he took the loo of his mother - a Stark. This confirms that not all those born to a Targaryen would have white or silver hair.

Related House of the Dragon features

• How many dragons are in House of the Dragon?
• When is House of the Dragon set?
• Where is House of the Dragon filmed?
• When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date

Video of the Week

House of The Dragon filming locations stretch far and wide - here's the ones you need to know about.

Game of Thrones enthusiasts welcomed the premiere of House of The Dragon with open arms this August - having been counting down to the moment, since its prequel was announced in 2019 - the same year the preceding show concluded. 

Created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan J. Condal for HBO, the show is based on Martin's 2018 novel Fire & Blood. Charting the rise and fall of House Targaryen plus new House of Velaryon and enemy the crab feeder - many will be delighted to see the show headed up by an all-star House of the Dragon cast. The filming locations spanned a multitude of countries - so read on for a full roundup of all the locations you can visit, country by country.

Where was House of the Dragon filmed?

House of The Dragon was filmed across locations in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, and Croatia. Predecessor Game of Thrones was similarly filmed in Iceland and Croatia, with additional production taking place in Malta and Northern Ireland. 

Northern Ireland is considered the home of the original production and A Game of Thrones Studio Tour is now open at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, where most of the filming took place. In contrast, House of The Dragon saw much of the interior shooting moved to The Warner Bros Leavesden Studios.

UK - filming locations

In the UK, House of The Dragon was filmed in Cornwall, Surrey, and Derbyshire. 

In Cornwall, Holywell Bay beach, Kynance Cove, and St Michael's Mount were used. According to BT.com, St Michael’s Mount stands in for Driftmark - the ancestral seat of House Velaryon. Meanwhile in Surrey, filming took place at Caesar's Camp on the Surrey/Hampshire border. In Aldershot, a large set was erected in a woodland area, featuring a range of tents and the Targaryen sigil banner. 

In Derbyshire, Matt Smith was seen filming the show in the Peak District - specifically in the village of Castleton. This location was reported to stand in for central Westeros now Northern Ireland is no longer used. Cast members were also reportedly spotted in Cave Dale, Eldon Hill Quarry and the Market Place.

Spain - filming locations

In Spain, filming took place in Cáceres and Trujillo. Cáceres was also featured in Game of Thrones, where it acted as King’s Landing - home of the Lannisters.  

Cáceres Old Town stands in the western region of Extremadura. Founded by the ancient Romans, Cáceres retains evidence of subsequent occupation by a variety of cultures. The central location of Ciudad Monumental displays a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, ancient cobbled medieval streets, and plenty of fortified houses and palaces. 

45km east of Cáceres, medieval Trujillo was also previously used in Game of Thrones. With many medieval and renaissance buildings, the town is a tourist hotspot. Twitter became awash with fans who’d spotted House of The Dragon sets being constructed, and actors filming at the location. 

Portugal - filming locations

In Portugal, Monsanto and Penha Garcia took centre stage when film crews arrived for House of The Dragon filming.  

Monsanto is protected by building regulations, ensuring it retains a preternatural charm. Granite cottages sit among giant boulders in random fashion. Tiny streets carved out of rock rise up a steep hill through the town, to a height of nearly 800 meters. The hilltop filming location features more boulders, and a ruined medieval castle. 

Penha Garcia - another picturesque village - was reportedly used as a filming location. However, it is unclear at this time exactly which scenes the area was used for, or which localities from the series they acted as.  

Iceland - filming locations

In Iceland, filming took place at the Svínafellsjökull glacier area. The area is rich with glaciers, waterfalls, and active volcanoes. 

According to The Express, this area was also used in season 2 and 7 of Game of Thrones. In scenes where Jon Snow and the Night Watch capture Ygritte, and in season 7’s battle with the army of the dead, the area is prominent. Svínafellsjökull is an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull - the largest ice cap in Europe. It is popular for glacier hiking, photography, and for those looking for raw and natural beauty.  

Croatia - filming locations

It is currently unclear which areas of Croatia were used for filming House of The Dragon.  

However, Dubrovnik, Split, and Sibenik were frequently used in Game of Thrones filming. It could be surmised that as previous locations have been returned to for continuity, the same locations could be used again for House of The Dragon. 

When was House of the Dragon filmed? 

Filming began in late April 2021, and was confirmed by HBO to have concluded in February 2022.

Casting began in July 2020 with Paddy Considine the first cast member to be announced. The casting of Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy soon followed. Filming began in April 2021, with Cornwall being the first location used. Production in Spain took place  between April 11–21, before moving to Portugal. The dates for filming at other locations remain unclarified. 

House of the Dragon: Behind-the-scenes filming

In behind-the-scenes video footage, Paddy Considine and Matt Smith spoke about filming “riding the dragon” scenes. Smith said “they’ve got great big wind machines, rain, the lot. They put you on a plinth that’s about 20 foot in the air and they strap you into it”. He jokingly added “I was born to do it”.

About who is the most evil and the most good in the show, Smith said “Otto is the most evil. He’s the most machiavellian. He’s the most serpentine. He’s a puppet master”. Smith is referring to Rhys Ifans who plays Otto Hightower. Both actors agreed that Considine’s character King Viserys l is the “most good” of the characters. 

Related House of the Dragon features

• How old is Alicent Hightower when she marries Viserys?
• How many dragons are in House of the Dragon?
• When is House of the Dragon set?
• When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date

Video of the Week

As audiences switch on in their millions, we share what year House of the Dragon is set in and whether it's a Game of Thrones prequel or sequel.

The month of August marked an important moment for loyal Game of Thrones fans as House of the Dragon finally arrived on screens. Juicy details of the upcoming series have come out in dribs and drabs since the spin-off was confirmed in late 2019 - from the all-star House of the Dragon cast depicting the House of Targaryens and House of Velaryon to House of the Dragon filming locations. And another source of information that people want to know about is what time period the new series is set in.

We've done the research and shared the specific years in which series one of the House of the Dragon takes place in and where this sits in the wider franchise timeline.

When is House of the Dragon set? Time period explained 

The events in House of the Dragon are set during 129 - 131 AC, approximately 170 years before the events of Game Of Thrones took place (which was between 298 and 305 AC).

It's possible the show will start as early as 120 AC. Also known as the Year of the Red Spring, this was a momentous one in Viserys' time as King, including the deaths of Rhaenyra's husband, Laenor Velaryon, and the Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong. These events would help lead to the Dance of the Dragons, so could be a good starting point. Or, it could pick up around 128 AC, in the last year of the King's life, allowing him to die at the end of season 1 to kick the war into motion.

Author George R R Martin uses two terms to define time in the Game of Thrones universe - Before Conquest (BC) and After Conquest (AC). After Conquest - of which House of the Dragon is set in - refers to the time when the House of Targaryen have conquered Westeros (with their dragons) and the Seven Kingdoms are united under one ruler.

Is House of the Dragon before or after Game of Thrones?

House of the Dragon takes place before Game of Thrones. The series delves into the reign of the Targaryens before they were ousted from power in 280 AC by King Robert Baratheon (assisted by the House of Stark).

The first season of Game of Thrones began much later timewise - around 298 AC - with Robert Baratheon still King and a surviving Daenerys Targaryen turning 18.

Is House of the Dragon a sequel or prequel?

Whilst House of the Dragon is released after the original Game of Thrones series, the show is considered a prequel - not a sequel - because the storyline and time period takes place before the events of Game of Thrones.

Author George R R Martin confirmed House of the Dragon's prequel status in a post on his website. The synopsis reads: "Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen - the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria - took up residence on Dragonstone. 

"Fire and Blood begins their tale with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and goes on to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynasty apart."

House of the Dragon is based on the Game of Thrones book Fire & Blood: the Targaryen Civil War by Martin - which is also known to fans as the Dance of Dragons.

Do you need to watch Game of Thrones before House of the Dragon? 

No, you do not need to watch Game of Thrones before watching House of the Dragon. As it is set over a century before, it is a story in its own right and will make sense without having watched Game of Thrones.

However, it might enhance your experience of watching the prequel if you have some insight into the characters and the settings.

Alternatively, you could read the book, Fire & Blood, to get a good understanding of the storyline before watching.

Related House of the Dragon features

• How old is Alicent Hightower when she marries Viserys?
• Who is the crab feeder in House of the Dragon?
• How many dragons are in House of the Dragon?
• When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date

Video of the Week:

The House of the Dragon cast features a crop of both famous and up-and-coming British acting talent that help bring the story to life.

August brought much delight to Game of Thones fans - as spin-off the House of the Dragon finally arrived. Following the end of the hit HBO series in 2019 came the announcement of a new prequel that explores the House of Targaryen and House of Velaryon in all their bloody glory. Those watching along will also be familiar with the arrival of new villain the crab feeder and a huge change in store for Alicent Hightower - with both characters expected to dominate the narrative in forthcoming episodes.

Helping to bring the tale to life is a creme-de-la-creme crop of British actors, that many are bound to recognise from other hit shows. Among them a former Doctor Who and a particularly villianous Peaky Blinders priest who lead the cast line-up.

 Meet the cast of House of the Dragon:

Paddy Considine plays King Viserys Targaryen

Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council at Harrenhal. Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather's legacy. Paddy is known for his roles in The World’s End, Dead Man’s Shoes and Peaky Blinders. 

The actor recently revealed how his mother was the inspiration behind his role as King Viserys, saying: “When I played Viserys Targaryen, I just played my mum, you know. That’s what I played – my mother.” 

Matt Smith plays Prince Daemon Targaryen

Deamon is the younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon. 

Matt, who has also had starring roles in The Crown and Doctor Who, has said of House of Dragon: “I think it's really different to the original series. I mean it has to be. The original series was its own thing and it was, it was so brilliant and, and sort of left a mark in a way that it would be impossible to repeat.” 

Olivia Cooke plays Lady Alicent Hightower

The daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen. 

Olivia, who is known for her roles in Vanity Fair and Bates Motel, said of the series: “The scripts I read were so, so, so, good.” 

Rhys Ifans plays Ser Otto Hightower

The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king's brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne. 

Rhys has also starred in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1, Notting Hill and Anonymous. Keeping coy about House of the Dragon, Rhys said last year: "Very exciting… I don’t want to give too much away.” 

Emma D’Arcy plays Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

The king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Actor Emma, who is also known for Hanna and Truth Seekers, has remained tight-lipped about her latest role, but she was spotted filming with Matt Smith on a Cornwall beach in September 2021.

Supporting cast

• Steve Toussaint (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Mutant Chronicles) plays Lord Corlys Velaryon/"The Sea Snake"
• Eve Best (The King’s Speech, Nurse Jackie) plays Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
• Fabien Frankel (The Serpent) plays Ser Criston Cole
• Sonoya Mizuno (La La Land, Annihilation) plays Mysaria
• Milly Alcock (Upright, Furlough) plays Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Bethany Antonia (Stay Close, Get Even) plays Baela Targaryen
• Phoebe Campbell (Midsomer Murders, Home from Home) plays Rhaena Targaryen
• Emily Carey (Wonder Woman, Where Is Anne Frank) plays Young Alicent Hightower
• Harry Collett (Dunkirk, Dolittle) plays Jacaerys Velaryon
• Ryan Corr (Holding the Man, The Secrets She Keeps) plays Ser Harwin "Breakbones" Strong
• Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk, The King) plays Prince Aegon Targaryen
• Jefferson Hall (Halloween, Sherlock Holmes) plays twins Ser Tyland Lannister and Lord Jason Lannister
• David Horovitch (The Young Victoria) plays Grand Maester Mellos
• Wil Johnson (Waking the Dead, Clocking Off) plays Ser Vaemond Velaryon
• John Macmillan (King Lear) plays Ser Laenor Velaryon
• Graham McTavish (The Hobbit, Rambo) plays Ser Harrold Westerling
• Ewan Mitchell (The Last Kingdom, Trigger Point) plays Prince Aemond Targaryen
• Theo Nate (Time) plays Ser Laenor Velaryon
• Matthew Needham (The Ritual, Sherlock) plays Larys Strong
• Bill Paterson (Miss Potter, Kingdom of Heaven) plays Lord Lyman Beesbury
• Phia Saban (The Last Kingdom) plays Princess Helaena Targaryen
• Gavin Spokes (The Ipcress File, Hitmen) plays Lord Lyonel Strong
• Savannah Steyn (Crawl, The Tunnel) plays Lady Laena Velayron

Will any Game of Thrones characters appear in House of the Dragon?

Seeing as House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, it’s highly unlikely that any characters will appear. There’s also a lengthy new cast that didn’t appear in Game of Thrones, so we can safely make the assumption that there will be no returning characters.

However, it is possible that we'll see the ancestors of the Starks, Lannisters, Baratheons and other families that we’re more familiar with. Depending on exactly how much ground is covered we could also see original Westerosi conquerors Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen, as hinted by early casting announcements, though this hasn't been confirmed.

Another familiar face we might see again is dragon Balerion the Black Dread, Aegon’s mount whose skull resided in the dungeon’s of King’s Landing throughout most of Game of Thrones, and who was "historically" ridden by King Viserys I at one point.

Related House of the Dragon features

• How many dragons are in House of the Dragon?
• When is House of the Dragon set?
• Where is House of the Dragon filmed?
• When did House of the Dragon come out? Release date

Video of the Week:

Anticipation was at fever high this August amongst Game of Thrones fans as the House of Dragon release date finally arrived. Here's where to watch it (if you haven't already!)

Game of Thrones dramatically ended in 2019, but not long after, it was confirmed that a prequel was in the works - much to fans delight. After eight long series, viewers weren't ready to say goodbye to the franchise that gave us the Starks, Lannisters and House of Targaryen and their many dragons. And it's the latter family tree that the new series is set to explore - alongside new House of Velaryon, not so innocent Alicent Hightower and gruesome villian the crab feeder - brought to life by a killer House of the Dragon cast helping to tell the bloody tale.

House of the Dragon is a must-watch for TV fans and we've shared the original release date and channel details so you don't miss a minute... plus those all important House of the Dragon filming locations and when House of the Dragon is set.

When did House of the Dragon come out? UK and US release date

House of the Dragon premiered first in the US on Sunday 21 August 2022. Because of time difference, this meant that it wasn't released to UK viewers until the early hours of Monday 22 August. 

HBO first announced that there would be a prequel to Game of Thrones back in 2019. At the 2020 Television Critics Association press tour, HBO programming president Casey Bloys estimated that House of the Dragon would arrive in two years. "My guess is sometime in 2022," he said.

The official Game of Thrones Twitter account later confirmed that production took place in 2021. Filming wrapped up in February 2022 and a teaser trailer was released three months later, on 5th May.

Where can I watch House of the Dragon?

As was the case with predecessor Game of Thrones, UK viewers will be able to watch House of the Dragon on SKY and NOW. Meanwhile US audiences should tune into HBO and HBO Max to watch the action.

How to watch House of the Dragon in the UK

You can sign up to a NOWTV Entertainment Pass for £9.99 a month, with a 7 day free trial to start. And for a limited time only, NOW has a Entertainment and Cinema Pass bundle for £14.99 for a six-month period. Fans will also find every episode of Game of Thrones - seasons 1-8 - on NOW to watch too.

Those wanting to watch House of the Dragon via Sky can choose between six options:

• Build Your Own package (From £26 for 18 months)
• Sky Q, Sky TV & Netflix package (£26 for 18 months)
• Sky Q, Sky TV, Netflix & Kids package (£32 for 18 months)
• Sky Q, Sky TV, Netflix & Cinema package (£35 for 18 months)
• Sky Q, Sky TV, Netflix & Sky Sports package (£44 for 18 months)
• Sky Q, Netflix, Sky Sports & BT Sport package (£66 for 18 months)

How to watch House of the Dragon in the US

US customers can sign up to HBO Max via their website on a phone or computer. You can also download a HBO Max app for iPhone and Android phones which will let you sign up too. 

Prices for HBO Max start at $14.99 per month and include access to all HBO movies and series - including new Max Originals. This includes season 1 of And Just Like That - the popular Sex and the City sequel.

 What is the storyline of House of the Dragon?

House of the Dragon is based on the Game of Thrones book Fire & Blood: the Targaryen Civil War by author George R. R. Martin. Known to fans as the Dance of Dragons – this will be the focus of the prequel.

Author George said of the prequel: "For what it's worth, those who have read Fire & Blood will realise it contains enough materials for a dozen shows. I can say that there will be dragons. Everyone else has said that, so why not me?”

And part of the synopsis on Martin's website reads: "Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen - the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria - took up residence on Dragonstone. Fire and Blood begins their tale with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne, and goes on to recount the generations of Targaryens who fought to hold that iconic seat, all the way up to the civil war that nearly tore their dynasty apart." 

Video of the Week