House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon
Now Showing

House of the Dragon

"Win or die."

8.4
Yr 2022
Status Returning Series
Sci-Fi & Fantasy Drama Action & Adventure
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

The Targaryen dynasty is at the absolute apex of its power, with more than 15 dragons under their yoke. Most empires crumble from such heights. In the case of the Targaryens, their slow fall begins when King Viserys breaks with a century of tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra heir to the Iron Throne. But when Viserys later fathers a son, the court is shocked when Rhaenyra retains her status as his heir, and seeds of division sow friction across the realm.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 78 /100

Critical reception for House of the Dragon has been largely positive, with reviewers praising the prequel's lavish return to Westeros. Many critics commended the series for being a slower, knottier drama that prioritizes character development and quiet political scheming over unearned spectacle. Praise was frequently directed at its grand cinematic scale, strong performances, and ability to construct the intricate family divisions leading up to the Targaryen civil war.

At the same time, the show drew notable criticism from reviewers who felt it lacked the wit, levity, and dynamic energy of its predecessor. Some critics argued that the extensive narrative setup and deliberate pacing felt protracted, suggesting the storytelling occasionally struggled to make audiences care about the buildup prior to full-scale conflict. Others pointed out that the relentless brutality and grim tone made for an occasionally taxing watch.

“gorgeous, opulent television, cinematic and big, pushing at the edges of what TV can do”

“The highly anticipated prequel supplies all the palace intrigue of its parent series, with none of the wit or energy”

“a fine example of a series exceeding expectations and focusing exclusively on its narrative and story beats rather than attempting to wow with flashy spectacles and empty worldbuilding”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Crave
CA
HBO Max
US • UK
Crave Amazon Channel
CA
Show 4 more
Spectrum On Demand
US
Now TV
UK
HBO Max Amazon Channel
US • UK
Sky Go
UK
Why fans love it

Viewers lean into House of the Dragon for its dark fantasy atmosphere and a tone defined by melancholy, foreboding, and power madness. Premiering in 2022, this drama functions as a reflective prequel set in a world where the ruling Targaryen dynasty sits at the peak of its authority with over fifteen dragons under its command. Rather than focusing purely on grand battles, the series digs into the internal friction of a kingdom unraveling from the top down.

The heart of the drama stems from political tension sparked when King Viserys breaks a century of tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, holding to his decision even after fathering a son. The choice sends shock through the court and sows friction throughout the realm. Anchored by performances from actors like Matt Smith, the narrative explores how pride, tradition, and royal succession turn an empire against itself.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 24
Longest run 26 eps
Matt Smith
Matt Smith
as Prince Daemon Targaryen
26 episodes
Olivia Cooke
Olivia Cooke
as Queen Alicent Hightower
20 episodes
James Norton
James Norton
as Lord Ormund Hightower
8 episodes
Steve Toussaint
Steve Toussaint
as Lord Corlys 'The Sea Snake' Velaryon
26 episodes
Fabien Frankel
Fabien Frankel
as Ser Criston Cole
25 episodes
Matthew Needham
Matthew Needham
as Lord Larys 'Clubfoot' Strong
21 episodes
Sonoya Mizuno
Sonoya Mizuno
as Mysaria 'The White Worm'
26 episodes
Ewan Mitchell
Ewan Mitchell
as Prince Aemond Targaryen
19 episodes
Show 67 more
Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys 'Jace' Velaryon 18 episodes Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen 17 episodes Phil Daniels as Maester Gerardys 13 episodes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull 14 episodes Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull 12 episodes Phoebe Campbell as Lady Rhaena Targaryen 16 episodes Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower 13 episodes Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers 13 episodes Kieran Bew as Hugh 14 episodes Tom Bennett as Ulf 13 episodes Joplin Sibtain as Ser Jon Roxton 8 episodes Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower 13 episodes Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen 14 episodes Emma D'Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (voice) 20 episodes Kurt Egyiawan as Grand Maester Orwyle 21 episodes Tom Glynn-Carney as Prince Aegon Targaryen 18 episodes Jefferson Hall as Lord Jason Lannister / Ser Tyland Lannister 17 episodes Phia Saban as Queen Helaena Targaryen 16 episodes Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen (uncredited) 12 episodes Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling 9 episodes David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos 5 episodes Bill Paterson as Lord Lyman Beesbury 8 episodes Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong 6 episodes Steffan Rhodri as Lord Hobert Hightower 3 episodes Elliott Tittensor as Ser Erryk Cargyll 7 episodes Luke Tittensor as Ser Arryk Cargyll 8 episodes Anthony Flanagan as Ser Steffon Darklyn 9 episodes Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin 'Breakbones' Strong 4 episodes Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon 4 episodes Nanna Blondell as Lady Laena Velaryon 3 episodes Alexis Raben as Talya 4 episodes Jordon Stevens as Elinda Massey 11 episodes Paul Hickey as Lord Caswell 3 episodes Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra Targaryen 7 episodes Emily Carey as Queen Alicent Hightower 5 episodes Paul Kennedy as Lord Jasper 'Ironrod' Wylde 13 episodes Max Wrottesley as Ser Lorent Marbrand 12 episodes Maddie Evans as Dyana 4 episodes Kieron Jecchinis as Dragonkeeper 4 episodes Nicholas Jones as Lord Bartimos Celtigar 10 episodes Michael Elwyn as Lord Simon Staunton 5 episodes Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome 6 episodes James Dreyfus as Lord Gormon Massey 6 episodes Barney Fishwick as Ser Martyn Reyne 7 episodes Ralph Davis as Ser Leon Estermont 6 episodes Tok Stephen as Eddard 'Red Ned' Waters 7 episodes Ellora Torchia as Kat 5 episodes Michelle Bonnard as Madam Sylvi 8 episodes Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong 7 episodes Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne 8 episodes Rebecca Calder as Dragonkeeper 4 episodes Samson Kayo as Mujja 4 episodes James Doherty as Cley 4 episodes Graeme McKnight as Paxter Strong 5 episodes Paul Valentine as Germund Strong 5 episodes Eddie Eyre as Ser Axell Bulwer 4 episodes Amanda Collin as Lady Jeyne Arryn 7 episodes Antonio Magro as Lord Petyr Piper 4 episodes Archie Barnes as Ser Oscar Tully 8 episodes Oscar Eskinazi as Prince Joffrey Velaryon 6 episodes Annie Shapero as Alysanne Blackwood 5 episodes Sarah Woodward as Sabitha Frey 4 episodes Tom Cullen as Ser Luthor Largent 4 episodes Barry Sloane as Ser Adrian Redfort 4 episodes James Weber Brown 4 episodes Richard Flood 4 episodes Matt Wakeford 4 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Director of Photography
P.J. Dillon Richie Donnelly Alejandro Martínez Pepe Avila del Pino Vanja Černjul Fabian Wagner Catherine Goldschmidt
Supervising Art Director
Antonio Calvo-Domínguez
Concept Artist
Rob Bliss
Stunt Coordinator
Rowley Irlam
Costume Design
Caroline McCall
Stunts
Elitsa Razheva Andrej Riabokon Yusuf Chaudhri Levan Doran Daniel Awde
Prosthetic Designer
Barrie Gower
Art Direction
Emma Goodwin Andrew Ackland-Snow Clara Gomez del Moral Celene McDowell
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Abigail Harcourt-Smith
Prosthetic Makeup Artist
Duncan Jarman
Creator
Ryan J. Condal George R.R. Martin
Hairstylist
Tania Couper
Production Design
Jim Clay
Director
Clare Kilner
Makeup & Hair
Ella Burton
Military Consultant
Paul Biddiss
Signal Match

Similarity

Where House of the Dragon overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

based on novel or book knight dragon king fantasy world dark fantasy kingdom prequel dysfunctional family power struggle power madness grimdark epic battle
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
August 21, 2022
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
7,176