During a special presentation for the then-upcoming streaming service HBO Max, Casey Bloys, president of HBO Programming, announced the network had given a 10-episode series order to a Game of Thrones prequel titled House of the Dragon. Now, The Bourne Ultimatum and Hot Fuzz star Paddy Considine has signed on the portray the role of King Viserys I in the upcoming series.
Based on author George R. R. Martin's book titled Fire & Blood, which chronicles the history of House Targaryen, the prequel series will be set 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones. In the lore of Martin's fantasy world, King Viserys I ruled over Westeros approximately 100 years after Aegon I Targaryen conquered the land.
Per Variety, Considine's King King Viserys I is described as a warm, kind, and decent man who only hopes to carry his grandfather's legacy forward. However, despite being chosen to succeed King Jaehaerys Targaryen by the lords of Westeros, "good men do not necessarily make for great kings". Known for roles in features film including The Death of Stalin and Cinderella Man, Considine has also collaborated with HBO in the past with roles in The Outsider and The Third Day. House of the Dragon was one of many projects being developed to succeed Game of Thrones, but none of the others appear to be moving forward at this point.
Frequent Game of Thrones episode director Miguel Sapochnik will serve as showrunner alongside Ryan Condal, who co-created House of the Dragon with Martin. Orange is the New Black producer and House screenwriting alumn Sara Lee Hess is on board as writer and executive producer. Sapochnik, Condal, Martin, and Vince Gerardis will also serve as executive producers. The pilot and additional episodes will be directed by Sapochnik.
Of course, the Game of Thrones franchise still has to earn back some goodwill after the largely panned final season. Reactions to the conclusion of the series even prompted a group of fans to launch a petition calling on HBO to remake the final season with a new team of writers.
House of the Dragon will also have more competition to face, arguably, as networks have developed fantasy shows of their own since Game of Thrones. Perhaps the most notable of these would be Netflix's The Witcher, which is expected to debut its second season in 2021.
House of the Dragon is expected to debut in 2022.
Source: Variety