'House of Dragons': HBO shares first official look at 'Game of Thrones' spin-off

HBO has shared the first official look at House of the Dragon, its much-anticipated Game of Thrones spin-off, which is currently shooting in the UK.

The images show primary cast members Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans and Steve Toussaint in costumes that will seem very familiar to fans of the fantasy series.

The images follow a number of paparazzi shots that have appeared in the press, that gave a glimpse of what to expect from the show.

House Of The Dragon is set 300 years before the events of Game Of Thrones and will tell the story of the Targaryen family.

One of their descendants, Daenerys Targaryen, was a major character in the main series and was played by Emilia Clarke.

Descriptions shared by HBO reveal more about the primary players of the show.

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Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen”: The king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man.

Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen”: The younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon. But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…

Steve Toussaint as “Lord Corlys Velaryon” (“The Sea Snake”): Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As “The Sea Snake,” the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

Olivia Cooke as “Alicent Hightower”: The daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen.

Rhys Ifans as “Otto Hightower”: The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.

Not pictured is Paddy Considine who will play the “warm, kind and decent” King Viserys Targaryen.

Fans of George RR Martin’s books will know the Targaryen family becomes embroiled in a deadly civil war.

House Of The Dragon is one of many Game Of Thrones TV projects HBO has in the works, while a stage show for the West End is also in production.

Game Of Thrones was a pop culture phenomenon during its eight-season run but its critically panned finale in 2019 left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans.

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