The dice is cast – in the second season of the Game of Thrones prequel, Queen Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent go to war. The Iron Throne and the future of House Targaryen and House Hightower are at stake.
After the disappointing ending of Game of Thrones, it was entirely justified to be sceptical of a spin-off series. However, the creators of House of the Dragon delivered a show full of bloody battles, political machinations, toxic relationships and plot twists – not to mention all those spectacular dragons.
The first season concluded with Rhaenyra Targaryen ready to raise hell on the Hightowers and their armies. But what comes next? We’ve rounded up everything we know about when House of the Dragon is returning, which cast members should be back and a few plot details to get you prepared.
For fans of the fantasy genre, we also have a similar roundup for The Witcher on Netflix. Alternatively, here’s all the information you need if you want to re-watch Game of Thrones in its entirety.
Spoilers for season 1 of House of the Dragon below.
When will House of the Dragon season 2 release?
The second season of the show will drop on Max on Sunday, 16 June 2024.
In the UK, season 2 of House of the Dragon will land on Sky/Now on Monday, 17 June 2024. New episodes will be available at the same time they air on Max, so viewers don’t have to wait.
The premiere date for season 2 of House of the Dragon had long been uncertain, especially with the combined strike of Hollywood’s screenwriters and actors.
That said, House of the Dragon’s creators completed work on season 2’s script before the conflict between the screenwriters and the studios broke out. Moreover, the production wasn’t affected by the US actors strike, as the series is a British production. Filming was therefore wrapped in September 2023.
How many episodes will House of the Dragon season 2 have?
The second instalment of the series reportedly will have only eight episodes – two less than season 1.
Is there a trailer for House of the Dragon season 2?
The black trailer presents events from the perspective of Rhaenyra and the Targaryens:
The green trailer shows the mindset of Alicent and the House Hightower:
Targaryens and Hightowers are gathering all their forces in the following trailer:
House of the Dragon season 2 cast and crew: Who is returning?
Based on the trailers, here are the characters we expect to see back:
- Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
- Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen
- Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower
- Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
- Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon
- Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole
- Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon
- Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen
- Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
- Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
- Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen
- Matthew Needham as Larys Strong
- Jefferson Hall as Jason Lannister and Tyland Lannister
- Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
It is unlikely that we will see Viserys I (played Paddy Considine) again, after the King met his demise towards the end of the first season – the same goes for Lucerys Velaryon (played by Elliot Grihault).
There have been some new characters announced for next season. Simon Russell Beale will play Ser Simon Strong, the great uncle to Larys Strong. Freddie Fox has been cast as Ser Gwayne Hightower, brother of Queen Alicent Hightower.
Gayle Rankin will play Alys Rivers, a healer based in Harrenhal who is also suspected to be Ser Lyonel Strong’s daughter. Abubakar Salim will play Alyn of Hull, a Velaryon sailor. In the books, he is rumoured to be the bastard of The Seasnake.
The second season will also see representatives of families known from Game of Thrones. Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, to whom Jace travelled at the end of season 1, will certainly appear – he’s rumoured to be played by Tom Taylor.
Rhaenyra’s son will also visit Jeyne Arryn, Lady of the Eyrie and Warden of the East. She will reportedly be played by Raised By Wolves star Amanda Collin.
It is also likely that we will see more dragons and, therefore, new dragon riders. Season 2 may feature Targaryen-related Ulf White and his dragon Silverwing, Blacksmith’s bastard son Hugh Hammer and dragon Vermithor, and Nettles – a bastard girl who claimed the wild dragon called the Sheepstealer.
Miguel Sapochnik, the showrunner from season one, has stepped away from House of the Dragon. Taking over will be Ryan Condal, the co-runner for the first season, and Alan Taylor, who directed some episodes during the first two seasons of Game of Thrones.
The creator of the book series, George RR Martin, will return as an executive producer.
What is the plot of House of the Dragon season 2?
The second season will pick up when the Targaryen civil war kicks off, also known as the Dance of the Dragons. Westeros will be split on the two claims to the throne: one from King Aegon II Targaryen, who took the throne after his mother Alicent mistakenly heard her late husband say that he wanted his son to become heir.
The second is from Queen Rhaenyra I Targaryen – the original choice of Viserys as his first-born daughter. She believes that the Hightowers stole the throne whilst she was away at Dragonstone, and as such claims that Aegon’s coronation is considered treachery.
At first, it seemed like Rhaenyra was willing to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict. However, all of that will change following the gruesome death of her son, Lucerys Velaryon, who was eaten by Prince Aemond’s dragon, Vhagar.
It may have been a mistake, but considering the bad blood between the two boys, it won’t appear that way to others. Rhaenyra is almost certain to enact her revenge on Alicent and her family – and if it is true to the books, it will be truly brutal.
Executive producer Sara Hess told The Hollywood Reporter that the next season will also delve into the toxic dynamic between Rhaenyra and her husband (and don’t forget, uncle) Daemon.
In addition, whilst the show will ultimately still centre around the stories of Alicent and Rhaenyra, it will expand into more of an ensemble show, according to EW.
As for the young King, Aegon Targaryen II, actor Tom Glynn-Carney claims that his character will “cause havoc” in season two.
Will there be more than two seasons of House of the Dragon?
Almost certainly. Variety revealed that George RR Martin has signed a five-year deal to create content with HBO and Max, so this could imply that House of the Dragon will run for at least that amount of time.
There are rumours that HBO is already preparing to green light season 3. As George R.R. Martin revealed on his blog, the story of the Targaryen-Hightower war should consist of 4 seasons.
How can I watch House of the Dragon?
In the US, you can watch House of the Dragon on HBO if it’s included in your cable package. Alternatively, you can stream it on Max – accounts start from £9.99 per month for ad-supported viewing.
As with Game of Thrones, UK viewers will get access via Sky Atlantic for Sky TV customers, and via the flexible streaming service Now – which has packages starting from £9.99 per month for its Entertainment Membership.
If for some reason you can’t access either of these channels, here’s how to watch HBO outside of the US.
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