The Game of Thrones prequel is set to forge its own storytelling path with a new set of characters and a more diverse team behind the scenes.
"House of the Dragon" takes place two centuries before the original series, which ended its eight-season hit in May 2019. The 10-episode prequel begins Sunday onHBO and can be streamed onHBO Max.
The story focuses on House Targaryen, made famous in "Game of Thrones" by Emilia Clarke's Daenerys and her fearsome dragons. But don't think 'House of the Dragon' is a remake of 'Game of Thrones,'" said cast member Steve Toussaint.
"It was done and they did very well," said Toussaint, who plays the very wealthy Sir Coryce Bellaryon. "You know you're in that world, but you see a different story, a different character, a different motive." Among the new faces of the
clan is theprince.There's the Demon Targaryen played by Matt Smith. His villainy is far more complex than it first appeared, said the actor. He said. "I think there's actually a huge amount of fragility and depth and inner madness out there. . }
Based on George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, this drama was co-produced by Martin and Ryan Condal. Condal's credits include his 2016-19 sci-fi drama Colony. Condal is executive producer and co-showrunner for director Miguel Sapochnik, who will bring his experience with "Game of Thrones" to the prequel.
House of the Dragon, like its predecessor, focuses on family lineage where female heirs are overlooked. However, Sapochnik points out an important difference between his two series. The team creating the prequel is more diverse, with male and female directors split 50/50 for him, including Sapochnik, Clare Kilner, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Greg Yaitanes.
According to Sapochnik, there was a conscious push behind the scenes to be inclusive.
“We have tried to hire as many female crew members as possible. Because I think people who don't get the opportunity," he explained.
The team behind "Dragon" is equally diverse, with the fantasy genre boasting a relatively large number of women in the writer's room. Gender balance affects the story and tone of the show, according to some female cast members.
The series names Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) as the heir to the Iron Throne. It begins with the Aristocratic Council, bypassing his cousin, Princess Reynis Velarion (Eve Best). But Viserys needs an heir of his own, and his dreams of power are held by his younger brother Daemon and Viserys' daughter Princess Laenira (Emma Darcy plays the adult version, Milly Alcock plays the play a young man).
"You definitely don't feel like a device or a prop, nor do you feel like a sexy country girl or a mother," says Rhaenyra's long-time friend and adult girlfriend Alicent. said her Olivia Cooke, who plays Hightower. "You feel like you've got a really nourishing, authentic character to play." Evans and Sonoya Mizuno are also included.
, who plays the younger Aricent, has described the inclusion of women in every aspect of her production as a step "in the right direction" for her fantasy genre.
Virtually all female characters face misogyny, but each is "still a full-fledged, three-dimensional female character," Carrie said. I think that's what makes it special.
"House of the Dragon" writer Charmaine Degrate said, "It was important for George [R.R. Martin, prequel executive producer] to do it this way." A female-led character, a female-led show, and a female-led writer's room enhance the story a bit...it's a great way to expand the universe."
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Lefferts reported from New York and Lennox from Los Angeles.