Few TV series have burned themselves into the collective fan memory quite like "Game of Thrones." Since the controversial 2019 finale of the show — centred on intrigue, violence, sex, power and dragons — two spin-off series have appeared.
Now the third season of the GoT prequel "House of the Dragon" has arrived, delving further into the fall of House Targaryen — the powerful family with platinum-blonde hair and fire-breathing dragons.
Is it still worth getting into? Can it live up to the original show? And where does "House of the Dragon" fit in the "Game of Thrones" world? Here are some questions and answers as the first episode of the new season arrives (from Sunday/Monday on HBO Max).
What is "House of the Dragon" based on?
"House of the Dragon" is based on the book "Fire & Blood" by author and "Game of Thrones" creator George R.R. Martin, who co-authored the series alongside showrunner Ryan J. Condal.
With his multi-volume fantasy saga "A Song of Ice and Fire," Martin had already provided the source novels for "Game of Thrones." His books were the basis for one of the biggest hypes in TV history.
Where does the series fit in the "Game of Thrones" universe?
For context: "Game of Thrones" is broadly about the power struggles for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms in Westeros, set against the ever-present threat of the so-called White Walkers. Great houses vie for dominance, among them the powerful House Targaryen, led by Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). At the start of that series, however, the dynasty is at its absolute lowest point, having been stripped of power.
"House of the Dragon" shows the Targaryens at the height of their power. The story is set around 200 years before the events of "Game of Thrones," when Daenerys's ancestors still possess numerous dragons and rule the Iron Throne. But the house is shaken by internal power struggles and a bitter dispute over succession to the throne.
Where can I watch the new season?
The third season of "House of the Dragon" launched on June 21 in the US and June 22 in Europe on the streaming platform HBO Max, with a new episode arriving each week. The final, eighth episode of the third season will run on August 9 in the U and August 10 in Europe.
Who are the stars of the series?
At the centre of the series is Princess Rhaenyra, played by Emma D'Arcy. Her uncle Daemon is portrayed by "The Crown" star Matt Smith. Other stars include Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans ("Notting Hill") as her on-screen father Ser Otto Hightower.
Important roles are also played by Alicent's sons: Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). Harry Collett, Abubakar Salim and Clinton Liberty appear in supporting roles and travelled to Berlin for the German premiere of the third season.
What happened in the first two seasons?
For those who have already watched the first two seasons and need a refresher (spoilers ahead): the conflict over the Targaryen succession simmers from the very start of the first season. At its heart are Rhaenyra and Alicent, who dispute the succession following the king's death. Alicent's son Aegon II sits on the Iron Throne, but Rhaenyra claims she was designated as the rightful heir.
The power struggle escalates relentlessly — dragons even attack one another. Two factions of House Targaryen face off: Team Black, rallying around Rhaenyra, and Team Green, backing Alicent and Aegon II. The second season ends with Rhaenyra and Alicent striking a secret pact — the starting point for the third season.
What is the third season about?
The new season picks up directly where the last left off. Despite the pact, the power struggle between the two factions grows ever bloodier and takes on a life of its own. Mistrust between the characters deepens. Unlike the first two seasons, the story hits the ground running from the start — the pace is faster and, without giving too much away, the very first episode features an action-packed sea battle that shapes the rest of the plot. A fourth season is already in the works.
Is it still worth getting into?
For newcomers curious about the world of Westeros, "House of the Dragon" offers a solid entry point into the "GoT" universe. It takes 18 episodes — each around an hour long — to catch up to the third season, and these should definitely be watched before diving into the new episodes. That said, it is significantly fewer episodes than the parent series "Game of Thrones," which ran for 73 episodes.
"House of the Dragon" is well suited to fans who enjoy action, fantasy and fire-breathing dragons, but also extended dialogue, diplomacy and intrigue. Sex and violence are part of the package, as are detailed character development and surprising plot twists — much like with "Game of Thrones."
One word of warning: "House of the Dragon" is not a series to watch while scrolling through your phone. Much of the plot is carried by dialogue — some of it conducted in the fictional language High Valyrian, with subtitles.
What other "Game of Thrones" spin-offs are there?
A somewhat lighter alternative to the rather brutal prequel is "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," an entertaining "Game of Thrones" spin-off from earlier this year. The six episodes follow the adventures of knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, and are available on HBO Max. Set around 90 years before the events of the original series, they sit in the timeline between "House of the Dragon" and "Game of Thrones."
