House of the Dragon season 2 is nearing the halfway point. If, like us, you can't get enough of Westeros, then you've come to the right place. We've rounded up absolutely everything there is to know about the new season of the series, which chronicles the next chapter in the bloody Targaryen civil war that became known as the Dance of the Dragons and is fought between the Greens vs. Blacks.
Below, you can get up to speed on the House of the Dragon season 2 episode count, our review and recaps, a breakdown of the story so far, and much more besides. Of course, you'll find spoilers here, so tread carefully if you're not up to date on the new installments so far. So, without further ado, get reading to brush up on your Targaryen history. Fire and blood awaits!
House of the Dragon season 2 episode count
House of the Dragon season 2 will consist of eight episodes. That's two episodes shorter than season 1. Here are our recaps of the episodes that have aired so far:
- House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1: 'A Son for a Son'
- House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2: 'Rhaenyra the Cruel'
- House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3: 'The Burning Mill'
While George R.R. Martin suggested on his blog that all seasons of the show will be 10 episodes, it was eventually confirmed that season 2 will actually consist of just 8 episodes. However, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the show's executive producer says the reduced episode count wasn’t a creative call. Writer Sara Hess didn’t comment on the matter but did say: "It wasn't really our choice."
See our House of the Dragon release schedule for full details on how to watch the show. Remaining episodes will be released on the following dates:
- House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4: July 7 US/July 8 UK
- House of the Dragon season 2 episode 5: July 14 US/July 15 UK
- House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6: July 21 US/July 22 UK
- House of the Dragon season 2 episode 7: July 28 US/ July 29 UK
- House of the Dragon season 2 episode 8: August 4 US/August 5 UK
House of the Dragon season 2 cast
The House of the Dragon season 2 cast is broadly similar to season 1, though there are some newcomers (and notable absences) this time around.
- Emma D'Arcy – Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Matt Smith – Daemon Targaryen
- Harry Collett – Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon
- Eve Best – Rhaenys Targaryen
- Steve Toussaint – Corlys Velaryon
- Bethany Antonia – Baela Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell – Rhaena Targaryen
- Olivia Cooke – Alicent Hightower
- Rhys Ifans – Otto Hightower
- Freddie Fox – Ser Gwayne Hightower
- Tom Glynn-Carney – Aegon Targaryen
- Phia Saban – Helaena Targaryen
- Ewan Mitchell – Aemond Targaryen
- Fabien Frankel – Ser Criston Cole
- Matthew Needham – Larys Strong
- Simon Russell Beale – Ser Simon Strong
- Jefferson Hall – Jason and Tyland Lannister
- Gale Rankin – Alys Rivers
- Sonoya Mizuno – Mysaria, AKA the White Worm
- Abubakar Salim – Alyn of Hull
- Tom Taylor – Cregan Stark
House of the Dragon season 2 review: our verdict
We've seen the first four episodes of House of the Dragon season 2. What did we think? Well, we liked it!
In our four-star review, deputy editor Fay Watson writes: "Navigating a shorter episode count, as well as a different structure to season 1’s time-skipping timeline, House of the Dragon is a different beast this time around, but no less thrilling."
House of the Dragon season 2 plot: the story so far
The season 2 premiere begins with Jace meeting with Cregan Stark at the Wall, securing the support of House Stark before he hears the terrible news that his brother Luke has been murdered by Aemond and Vhagar. Rhaenyra, meanwhile, is understandably heartbroken by her son's death and tells her council that she wants Aemond. Her husband/uncle Daemon decides to take matters into his own hands, and orders a guardsman and a rat catcher known as Blood and Cheese to kill Aemond. They, though, end up murdering the young Jaehaerys, heir to the throne and son of Aegon and Helaena. It's left ambiguous whether this was Daemon's command or not. We're also introduced to a blacksmith named Hugh Hammer.
Episode 2 then sees the fallout of Blood and Cheese's awful murder. An emotional funeral turns the tide of opinion against Rhaenyra, who is horrified to learn what Daemon has done. Daemon leaves for Harrenhal. In the Red Keep, Ser Criston Cole is promoted to Hand of the King while Otto Hightower is demoted and leaves King's Landing, while Criston also sends Ser Arryk to murder Rhaenyra. Mysaria sends warning after spotting Arryk sneaking onto Dragonstone, and his twin brother Erryk fights him to the death, then falls on his own sword in anguish. Meanwhile, we also get confirmation that Daeron Targaryen is out there, and we're introduced to Addam of Hull.
In episode 3, Rhaenyra sends Rhaena away to Pentos with three familiar looking dragon eggs (and one extra). Meanwhile, Daemon begins to have strange visions at Harrenhal, which means Milly Alcock returns as Young Rhaenyra. Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower set off together for war, the concept of dragonseeds are introduced, and, finally, Rhaenyra attempts to find a path to peace with Alicent by sneaking back to King's Landing to visit her. Though Rhaenyra is finally able to set the record straight about that disastrous Aegon the Conqueror misunderstanding on Viserys's deathbed, it's not enough to stop the pending civil war.
House of the Dragon season 2 exclusive insight
Ahead of season 2, we spoke with showrunner Ryan Condal all about the new episodes. Check out our pieces from the interview below:
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner on why Blood and Cheese is nothing like Game of Thrones' Red Wedding
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner doesn't feel the pressure of following the controversial Game of Thrones season 8: "Our challenge comes from within"
- House of the Dragon showrunner teases season 3: "You don't want to end up in that place where you're doing the same thing again and again"
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner breaks down the complicated relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra: "Conflict is the order of the day"
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner says Rhaenyra and Alicent's bond is still the heart of the show: "We understand that these two women are connected"
And that's a wrap on everything you need to know about House of the Dragon season 2. While you wait for more, check out our guide to the best TV shows of all time to fill out your watchlist, or see our deep dives on:
- The House of the Dragon dragons, listed and explained
- The Targaryen family tree
- The House of the Dragon timeline
- The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy
