Photos, returning, and new cast | What we know so far about ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

HBO just dropped new photos from the second season of the “Game of Thrones” prequel, “House of the Dragon.”

The show, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” is set 200 years before the events of the previous series, and tells the story of the House Targaryen. The show has since won BAFTAs and won Best Television Series – Drama at the Golden Globes. For the upcoming Emmys, it is running against other HBO show, “The Last of Us,” “Succession,” and “The White Lotus” for Outstanding Drama Series.

The second season has fewer episodes than the first season and some episodes will be directed by new names in the Game of Thrones universe. Miguel Sapochnik is not directing any episode this season, but don’t worry, the directors helming all episodes can hold a candle to him.

Before this blog discusses all the details we know so far, watch this teaser from HBO:

This blog will also post breakdowns of episodes 3 onwards since only the first and second episodes were discussed previously.

In a press release in April, HBO announced that production for the series has commenced at Leavesden Studios in the United Kingdom.

“House of the Dragon has returned. We are thrilled to be shooting again with members of our original family as well as new talents on both sides of the camera. All your favorite characters will soon be conspiring at the council tables, marching with their armies, and riding their dragons into battle. We can’t wait to share what we have in store,” said co-creator, showrunner, and executive producer Ryan Condal.

Returning as cast members are Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower, Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys “Jace” Velaryon, Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen, Phoebe Campbell as Lady Rhaena Targaryen, Phia Saban as Queen Helaena Targaryen, Jefferson Hall as the twins Lord Jason Lannister and Ser Tyland Lannister, and Matthew Needham as Lord Larys Strong.

Joining them for this new season are Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne, Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

Season 2 will only have eight episodes, sadly. Here are the directors for each episode:

Taylor is back. We last saw his name as the director when he helmed the sixth episode of Season 7 of Game of Thrones, “Beyond the Wall.” Interestingly, he also director the “Fire and Blood” episode in Season 1. He also director “Baelor” (Season 1); and “The North Remembers,” “The Night Lands,” “and “The Prince of Winterfell,” and “Valar Morghulis,” (Season 2).

Episodes 4 “King of the Narrow Sea” and 5 “We Light the Way” of the first season of “House of the Dragon” were director by Kilner, while Patel director Episode 8 “The Lord of the Tides.”

The new names are Parekh, who should be familiar for viewers of “Succession,” “Watchmen,” and “13 Reasons Why”; and Peristere, who has director episodes for “The Witcher,” “Banshee,” and “Warrior.”