Game of Thrones' northern lords, the Starks, are said to be born of the first men and are an ancient house. Their role in the original show was so pivotal fans are asking if the family will return in House of the Dragon.
The prequel series focuses on another prominent house, the Targaryens, who are exiled at the start of Game of Thrones. Although the spin-off show is set 200 years before Robert’s Rebellion, the Stark family tree does extend that far back so they could feature in this new series.
However, it does not appear that the Starks will play a major role in House of the Dragon as the new series instead is centred around the Targaryen civil war and their internal battle for the Iron Throne. That is a war which the Lord of Winterfell played a very small role in.
Read more: When is House of the Dragon set - is it before Game of Thrones
Will the Starks be in House of the Dragon?
House of the Dragon follows the novel Fire and Blood by George RR Martin and is set in what familiar characters like Sansa Stark might consider ancient history. It is a time when the Targaryen rule over Westeros has been cemented for at least seven generations and will be consistent for many more.
The Starks are nowhere near King’s Landing, moving to which proves to be an undoubtedly bad move for them in the future, and are instead keeping watch over the North. Towards the end of the war, the Lord of Winterfell does send men to help but by the time they arrive most of the fighting is over.
Lord Cregan Stark is briefly named Hand of the King but serves for only one day, an even shorter time than his descendant Ned Stark would serve in Game of Thrones. He aids with post-battle trials, restoring order, before returning to his Northern keep in what is known as the Hour of the Wolf.
Currently, there are no Starks listed in the cast for the new show so it is likely that fans of the wolves will have to wait a little longer to see them. Future seasons have not yet been greenlit so it may be a while before the Kings in the North venture south.
Which families will be in House of the Dragon?
The Dance of Dragons was a civil war between all members of the Targaryen family, since their main focus was the south this meant the Starks were not considered an essential house to be involved. It is not yet known how much the Kings of Winter will feature in the new spin off show.
Fans should not despair though as there will be plenty of familiar Westeros family names floating about in House of the Dragon. The Baratheons are related to the dragon riders so will likely feature prominently as well as the Arryns, Lannisters, Greyjoys and the Martells of Dorne.
While the Starks’ absence might disappoint some fans, House of the Dragon will introduce a whole host of blonde haired, dragon riding Targaryens, including Matt Smith as Prince Daemon and Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra. The show will air in the UK on Monday, August 22, on Sky and Now with new episodes weekly.
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