Set to premiere on August 21 on HBO Max in the USA and August 22 on Sky Atlantic in the UK, House of the Dragon hype is in full swing.
Set 300 years before the epic events of Game of Thrones, the story focuses on the historical turning point known as The Dance of the Dragons.
This was the fabled time when the Targaryen’s collapsed into a bloody civil war, eventually leading to the supposed extinction of the dragons.
HBO has high hopes for the series, with the show costing under $20 (£16.5) million per episode for its 10 episode run, according to Variety.
While a lot of that money would have gone to the impressive CGI seen in the trailers, a healthy chunk would have been placed straight into the actor’s pockets to get them on board.
It seems to have worked, as HBO has locked down some serious talent to bring this fantasy tale to life.
Who stars in House of the Dragon?
Matt Smith
Leading the cast is former Doctor Who star Matt Smith.
He is taking on the role of Prince Daemon Targaryen, one of the two Targaryen siblings that are at the heart of the civil war.
Not only is Daemon the heir to the throne, but he is also a dragonrider, with Caraxes, the Blood Wyrm being his mount.
Besides from Doctor Who, Matt is also known for The Crown, Morbius and Last Night in Soho.
Milly Alcock
Upright actress Milly Alcock is taking on the role of Daemon’s sister Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
She is also a dragonrider, and her mount is the dragon Syrax.
Milly recently starred in the series’ Reckoning, The Gloaming, Les Norton and Fighting season.
Paddy Considine
Paddy Considine is playing King Viserys I Targaryen, the current ruler of Westeros.
In his youth, Viserys rode Balerion the Black Dread, a legendary dragon that was known for its size and ferocity, with its skull being seen in a recent trailer.
Paddy is best known for Dead Man’s Shoes, The World’s End and The Third Day.
Olivia Cooke
Olivia Cooke is playing Alicent Hightower, the daughter of Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King to King Viserys I Targaryen, and a member of the king's inner circle.
The actress got her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One in 2018.
She is also known for Sound of Metal, Bates Motel and Soft Voice.
Rhys Ifans
Rounding out the main cast if Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, the father of Alicent.
He is a knight of House Hightower and the Hand of the King to King Viserys I Targaryen.
Rhys is known for playing The Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man, with the actor recently reprising the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Who else stars in House of the Dragon?
The cast also includes Truth Seekers star Emma D'Arcy, who is sharing the role of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen with Milly Alcock, though playing an older version of the character.
Before We Die actor Steve Toussaint is playing Lord Corlys Velaryon, Nurse Jackie’s Eve Best is playing Princess Rhaenys Velaryon and Maniac’s Sonoya Mizuno is taking on the role of Mysaria.
Outlander’s Graham McTavish is Ser Harrold Westerling and The Secrets She Keeps actor Ryan Corr is Ser Harwin 'Breakbones' Strong.
