House of the Dragon Season 2 is coming. If you're awaiting your return to Westeros, HBO's fantasy series is slated to return next year, and a lot is about to go down. The Emmy-nominated series is based on George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, which chronicles the tumultuous rule of House Targaryen over the Seven Kingdoms.
"We are beyond proud of what the entire House of the Dragon team has accomplished with Season 1," said Francesca Orsi, Executive VP of HBO Programming, after the success of the show's initial premiere. "We couldn’t be more excited to continue bringing to life the epic saga of House Targaryen with Season 2."
Last season, we left off with a lot at stake. Following the death of King Viserys (played by the incomparable Paddy Considine), the Hightowers conspired to have Alicent's son, Aegon, crowned king, despite Viserys's wish to crown Rhaenyra.
A war is officially waging between those siding with King Aegon (the Greens) and those siding with Rhaenyra (the Blacks). In an effort to obtain more allies, Rhaenyra sends her sons to other kingdoms to do some negotiating.
During his journey, Rhaenyra's youngest son, Lucerys, encounters Aemond, who taunts and chases him mid-flight from the back of his dragon, Vhagar. Before Aemond can stop it, Vhagar swoops down and kills Lucerys, a tragedy that will inevitably lead to an even more brutal war between the Greens and the Blacks.
While we may have to wait to see more dragons on our screen, here's what we know about the next House of the Dragon installment so far:
1. Though we don't have an official release date, we can say with absolute certainty that the show will return Summer 2024...
2. ...AND HERE'S A BRAND NEW TEASER
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4. Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, House of the Dragon was able to continue filming because the production is under a UK union contract, and filming wrapped at the end of September 2023.
5. In October 2022, HBO Max chief Casey Bloys told Vulture that viewers can anticipate Season 2's release "sometime in 2024."
6. An alleged leaked episode title might give some insight on how the Blacks will avenge Lucerys's death.
7. It looks like HoD may take a trip up North to the Wall, but don't hold your breath for White Walkers.
8. Fans can expect to meet five new dragons, according to the show's co-creator Ryan Condal. These majestic creatures will surely join the ranks of Vhagar, Syrax, Caraxes, and the other formidable dragons returning from Season 1.
9. In addition to new dragons, Season 2 will introduce a batch of fresh characters. HBO has announced casting for four new roles: Ser Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale), Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin), and Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim).
10. Another new addition: Lord Cregan Stark played by Tom Taylor! That's right, House of the Dragon is finally introducing the Starks.
11. Plenty of familiar faces will also return, including Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen, Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen, and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
12. Game of Thrones fans are in luck as HBO has said additional spin-offs are also in the works, including a show about Jon Snow, a prequel about Corlys Velaryon, a series about Princess Nymeria of House Martell, and others.
