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One of the most controversial events in House of the Dragon was King Viserys Targaryen’s decision to marry Alicent Hightower. She was, after all, his daughter’s best friend, and this would have been very awkward on every level. However, the late king’s plan to remarry stemmed from necessity rather than desire.

Emily Carey and Paddy Considine in House of the Dragon / Credits: HBO

Viserys was previously married to Aemma of House Arryn, but she died while giving birth to Prince Baelon. Unfortunately, the baby lived for a day, leaving the king still without a male heir. Rhaenyra was the chosen crown princess, but the situation was more complicated than it looked.

House of the Dragon fan explained why King Viserys Targaryen had to remarry

In House of the Dragon, King Viserys Targaryen’s obligation to remarry was brought by his duty to preserve his family line. With only a female heir,...

Netflix’s “The Witcher” puts its spin on “The Little Mermaid” in “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep.” Set during the events of Season 1, the new animated film adapts from Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story “A Little Sacrifice” (which was itself inspired by the classic fairytale).

The film follows Geralt and Jaskier to a seaside town to investigate attacks, only to wind up in the middle of a long-brewing conflict between the humans and merpeople before it turns into all-out war. The adaptation brings some of its own spin to the tale, featuring voices that “Witcher” fans will recognize from the games and live-action series alike — as well as some newcomers.

Here’s your guide to the cast of “The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep,” which characters they play and where you’ve seen (or heard) them before.

(Netflix / Getty Images) Doug Cockle as Geralt of Rivia

Doug Cockle returns...

The latest installment in Netflix's ongoing Witcher universe has arrived, bringing fans back to the Continent for one of Geralt of Rivia's early adventures. The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep puts Geralt and his bard companion Jaskier right in the middle of a simmering conflict between humans and merpeople. The short story that it's based on, "A Little Sacrifice," is essentially author Andrzej Sapkowski's take on The Little Mermaid, but don't let that fool you into thinking this'll be a light affair. There's plenty of star-crossed love, scheming and betrayals, and of course, monsters.

The film also features an excellent voice cast, which includes The Witcher video game voice actor Doug Cockle stepping back into the iconic role of Geralt, along with stars from the Netflix mothership show like Joey Batey as Jaskier and Anya Chalotra as Yennefer. Read our full breakdown of the voice cast here.

While...

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep is out now on Netflix, bringing fans of the monster-hunting fantasy saga back to the Continent. This new animated film from Studio Mir is set during Geralt of Rivia's early days as a witcher, when he was traveling the land with the bard Jaskier and building up his renown. Their path leads them to the seaside village of Bremervoord, where our stalwart witcher finds himself in the middle of a conflict between humans a nearby society of merpeople.

Sirens of the Deep adapts the short story "A Little Sacrifice" by Andrzej Sapkowski, which can be read in his book Sword of Destiny. It's essentially Sapkowski's take on the folklore of The Little Mermaid. The animated film puts its own twist on things, including the addition of a climactic battle with a kraken, but it on the whole it hews fairly close to the events and spirit of Sapkowski's work.

I have a long and complicated history with Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher. As someone who's sunk hundreds of hours into the video games and read all the books, I've often vacillated between disappointment and frustration when watching the television series, which tends to toss out wide swathes of its source material or even directly contradict its spirit. But that doesn't mean I'm thoughtless with my criticism; on the contrary, I love to do a good deep dive on this series and dissect what's working and what isn't. That's why, unlike many Henry Cavill-obsessed fans who were too bitter over the actor's departure to give The Witcher season 3 a proper shake, I generally thought it was a huge step in the right direction after the enormous missteps of season 2. But that doesn't mean I've forgotten all the times The Witcher burned me in the past.

All this is important to state up front,...

We’re a couple weeks away from the BAFTAs awards ceremony and one category at the show will celebrate rising stars.

Nominees Mikey Madison, David Jonsson, Marisa Abela, and Nabhaan Rizwan celebrated their nominations at the Vanity Fair Ee BAFTA 2025 Rising Star Party on Wednesday (February 5) at Pavyllon in London, England.

The event featured a who’s who of British talent, including many fan fave actors and plenty of newcomers who probably have a shot at a nomination in the future.

The winner of the Ee Rising Star Award will be announced at the BAFTAs on February 16. Also nominated in the category is Unstoppable actor Jharrel Jerome.

Mikey stars in the new movie Anora and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. David had his breakout in the sci-fi thriller film Alien: Romulus this past year. Marisa stars in the HBO series Industry and led the film Back to Black in 2024.

HBO has been on a winner with House of the Dragon, reviving the fortunes of the Game of Thrones franchise after the polarizing finale of the flagship series. However, they have not exactly been rushing Season 3 into production despite fan demand. Now one star of the series has given a positive update on when Season 3 could begin filming…but also joked that there could be another quarter of a century wait for it to hit screens. We really hope he is joking!

Obviously, it is not going to be 25 years before House of the Dragon returns to HBO, but Otto Hightower actor Rhys Ifans’ humorous appraisal of the tardy pace of the series development will certainly resonate with those who just want to see the next episodes movie forward in some way. Considering the series has only released two seasons in six years, his exaggeration is only slightly beyond the believeable.

As the fantasy TV show landscape grows larger and more impressive every year, older shows must conclude and make way for new projects entering the sphere. Plenty of long-running shows currently on the air are not only exiting gracefully but are completing their planned arcs. By having a confirmed end date, these shows get to carefully orchestrate a conclusion that will successfully bring the character development and story full circle, which always satisfies fans. As difficult as it is to say goodbye to such high-quality shows, it's good to know they won't suddenly be canceled at their peak.

There's hope that these series will join the ranks of fantasy TV shows with almost perfect endings since having a definitive conclusion is often better than going on for too long. When a fantasy TV show continues for too many seasons, it taints the legacy of the series, making the case that...

While House of the Dragon’s Otto Hightower is the symbol of nobility and Westerosi politics, actor Rhys Ifans, who portrays him is reportedly a clown on set. Co-stars such as Milly Alcock and Fabien Frankel detailed how they hate to be in a scene with Ifans as he tries to break them from character every time, sometimes without even saying anything.

The actor seems to have made this a habit as actress Julia Roberts also recounted struggling to keep it together while sharing the screen with The Amazing Spider-Man star. The two worked together on the romantic comedy Notting Hill, which also starred Hugh Grant in the lead role.

House of the Dragon Actors Reveal Rhys Ifans’ Nightmarish Behavior On Set Rhys Ifans in House of the Dragon | Credits: HBO

While breaking character during a funny scene is great for bloopers, not being able to get through the scene...

Quick Links Fire & Blood Doesn't Shy Away From the Complexity of Its Characters House of the Dragon Sanitizes Its Female Characters Rhaenyra's Fire & Blood Portrayal Is the Most Disappointing Without Correction, House of the Dragon Could Fall Into the Game of Thrones Trap

When Game of Thrones officially ended in 2019, attitudes toward the franchise were at an all-time low. While George R.R. Martin had expected to finish his epic book series before the completion of the show, that never happened. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss had to finish the series without a roadmap. This resulted in changing instrumental characters, cutting others completely, and creating an ending that went down as one of the most disappointing in TV.

However, when House of the Dragon premiered only a few years later, fans seemingly had not lost their thirst for Martin's world. Set almost two centuries before Daenerys Targaryen's (Emilia Clarke) time,...

Exclusive: ColorCreative, the talent management company founded by Issa Rae, Deniese Davis, and Talitha Watkins, has welcomed Ana Bedayo to the team. In her new role as talent manager, Bedayo will continue to pursue acclaimed talent and advance ColorCreative’s mission to elevate impactful and inclusive storytelling.

Stated ColorCreative’s President, Watkins, “Ana is an absolute powerhouse with an instinct for spotting standout talent and a true passion for nurturing their growth. We’re thrilled to welcome her to our team and look forward to the impact she’ll make as we continue to expand our roster.”

Previously a manager at Stride, Bedayo brings with her an impressive, internationally-oriented client roster including a range of notable talents across film, television, and theater. Representing actors like Yura Borisov and Mark Eydelshteyn — both of whom appear in Sean Baker’s awards contender Anora — she also works with Baker’s longtime collaborator, Karren Karagulian,...

Anyone who's seen the first two seasons of HBO's House of the Dragon knows just how important House Velaryon is to the overarching plot. As one of the most influential families in Westeros' history, their lineage stretches back far and often intermingles with that of another critical bloodline, the Targaryens. And yet, roughly some 200 years later, during the era of Game of Thrones, the Velaryon family has become little more than an afterthought.

How did the once mighty Velaryon family climb so high, only to then fall so low? Well, the conflict at the heart of House of the Dragon, known as the Dance of Dragons, had a lot to do with it. In siding with Rhaenyra Targaryen, House Velaryon believed they were choosing the winning side. They were right, but unfortunately for them, things didn't work out according to plan.

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Related Why House of the Dragon Recast Rhaenyra...

“Black Mirror’s” Samuel Blenkin and “House of the Dragon” star Emily Carey have been cast as the leads in upcoming indie feature “Misper.”

A darkly comic film, “Misper” follows Leonard Lowry (Blenkin) and his colleagues as they deal with the disappearance of their friend Elle Pritchard (Carey).

“The employees of a dying seaside hotel have their lives upended when their colleague, Elle Pritchard vanishes,” reads the synopsis. “In a redirection of dramas featuring a missing person, the police investigation and focus on the perpetrator are traded for intimate and darkly comedic portrayals of the psychological impact on her co-workers.”

“Mis-per” is a portmanteau for “missing person.”

Joining Blenkin and Carey are Christine Bottomley (“Sherwood”) as Pam Shade, Daniel Ryan (“The Bay”) as Gary Jenkins and Oliver Ryan (“Dune Part One”) as Roy Pritchard along with from Sunil Patel, Rosalind Adler, Iona Champain and Jordan Brookes. The film, which recently wrapped,...

Here’s what Rhaenyra’s struggle and missteps revealed (Photo Credit – Instagram)

In the vibrant tapestry of House of the Dragon, the tale of Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Alicent (Emily Carey) unfolds like a tragicomedy. It’s a heartbreaking exploration of friendship, ambition, and the dark undercurrents of Targaryen’s history. From sweet beginnings to bitter endings, their journey embodies the cruel comedy of a patriarchal world that pitted them against each other.

Remember when Rhaenyra and Alicent were inseparable? Their bond seemed unbreakable. In the series premiere, we watched them share tender moments of laughter and affection. Their friendship danced on the edge of something more, and we all swooned as they leaned on each other through grief. But oh, how quickly things soured! In a stunning turn of events, Alicent’s grand entrance at Rhaenyra’s wedding in that eye-catching green dress signaled the official shift in their relationship.

House of the Dragon fans, we have some unfortunate news to report. It appears Season 3 of the HBO fantasy drama series will take a bit longer to arrive, as some important players in the cast haven't received a script of any kind.

While we're pretty sure they won't say no once it arrives, it's still a bit odd that a show that successful for HBO is taking so long to progress. The Game of Thrones prequel was created by Ryan Condal alongside the original author of the book series, George R. R. Martin. While it is believed that House of the Dragon will end with its fourth season, based on the length of time between seasons, it could still take several years for the next two seasons to play out.

According to Variety, co-stars Matt Smith, Fabian Frankel and Tom Glynn-Carney, showed up at New York Comic Con 2024, where they...

House of the Dragon stars Matt Smith, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Fabien Frankel have shared an update about the upcoming third season of HBOs hit Game of Thrones spinoff. In the series, Smith portrays the role of Daemon Targaryen, while Glynn-Carney and Frankel portray his enemies Aegon II Targaryen and Criston Cole, respectively.

Smith, Glynn-Carney, and Frankel attended the recently held House of the Dragon panel at the 2024 New York Comic-Con, where they were asked about their thoughts on the next installments script. Per Variety, Smith and Glynn-Carney both admitted that they still have no clue about what will happen in Season 3, since the creative team hasnt let them read the scripts yet. "Not a jot, not a letter," Glynn-Carney said. "The longer they take, the longer we dont have to read anything for a while." Smith added, "Ive not heard hide nor hair. I dont know about you guys. Ive...

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With the help of its stars, the Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon became an instant success. Emily Carey's Alicent and Milly Alcock's Rhaenyra propelled the show into the public consciousness by introducing a touching dynamic with painful and tragic overtones. Their close connection was shattered quickly, and Rhaenyra's pain was set to resound through Alcock's performance for the rest of the show.

Yet, by House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 6, "The Princess and the Queen", the two characters were recast. Olivia Cooke replaced Emily Carey and Emma DArcy took Milly Alcock's place in the show. Alicent and Rhaenyra's dynamic remained unchanged, but Alcock and Carey did not return to the show in a full-time capacity. Recasting both characters is understandable, given the 10-year time jump, but the decision is still baffling. After all, few other characters were recast.

We have a while to wait before we get to see new episodes of House of the Dragon, HBO's Game of Thrones prequel series, but the cast members are keeping busy in the meantime. At the moment, Emma D'Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen) is starring in a Greek myth-inspired drama called The Other Place at the National Theatre in London. D'Arcy is incredibly compelling onscreen and I can easily imagine them commanding the stage as well.

That said, the National Theater is an ocean away from where I live, so I doubt I'll be taking it in. But D'Arcy's House of the Dragon castmates live much closer. In a video on X, we can see House of the Dragon stars Harry Collett (who plays Rhaenyra's son Jace) and Ewan Mitchell (who plays her younger half-brother Aemond) showing up to watch their colleague work:

ewan mitchell and harry collett supporting emma d’arcy at...

New AI-generated art turns beloved Game of Thrones characters into minions. The acclaimed HBO series, based on the spectacular books by visionary George R. R. Martin, is rated as one of the best television shows. The series was so successful, despite its heavily criticized last season, that it spawned spinoffs like House of the Dragon and the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Game of Thrones, and A Song of Ice and Fire, the series it's based on, were lauded for their strong and thoroughly fleshed-out characters, who have become prominent figures in pop culture.

A post on X, from user @pabloprompt, transforms many key Game of Thrones characters into minions, and the result is kind of disturbing. To make the crossover even funnier, the videos soundtrack is a minion rendition of the iconic Game of Thrones theme. Each minion rendition has key features and accessories of each character,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a fantasy action adventure drama series developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. Based on the appendices of The Lord of the Rings by iconic author J.R.R. Tolkien, the Prime Video series is set thousands of years before the novels in Middle Earth’s second age and it follows the rise of the greatest villain the world has ever seen, Sauron while a group of unlikely heroes try to bring him down. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power stars Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo, Sophia Nomvete, Markella Kavenagh, Charlie Vickers, Maxim Baldry, and Nazanin Boniadi. So, if you loved fantasy worlds, great action, and a good vs evil story in The Rings of Power here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Wheel of Time (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

The Wheel of Time is...

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2 and Season 3.

Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin has vented his frustration with changes done to House of the Dragon and seemingly spoiled a major development for Season 3 of the hit HBO series. Earlier this week, Martin hinted that he would spill secrets about the troubled production of House of the Dragon and his frustration with the series. Martin has made good on his word but also may have spoiled a key plot point two years in advance.

In a now-deleted blog post titled Beware the Butterflies via Variety, Martin explained that the series decision to cut one character from the series, Aegon and Helaena Targaryens youngest son, Prince Maelor, has major repercussions for the series moving forward. Martin explained the decision to omit the character of Prince Maelor was a practical one, as showrunner Ryan Condal knew that casting another child,...

Actor Matt Smith, renowned for starring roles in House of the Dragon and Doctor Who, shared his criticism of trigger warnings in a recent interview with The Times of London. A popular opinion among numerous high-profile British actors, Smith argued that trigger warnings reduce the emotional impact of storytelling, and contribute to a wider culture of censorship in creative media by preventing audiences from feelings of discomfort.

According to Deadline, Smith discussed at length his experience with trigger warnings, and why he believes they are ultimately detrimental to the art of storytelling. As an actor, many of Smith's roles have utilized morally gray themes or unethical personalities; his notorious character in House of the Dragon, for example, employs extreme cruelty both on and off the battlefield, while other, smaller roles include the titular character of Sky Atlantic's television series The Death of Bunny Munro, in which Smith plays a misogynistic sex addict.

Despite criticisms for the second season of House of the Dragon, it feels like the one thing viewers can agree on is that the cast is always fantastic. The first two seasons have introduced us to many characters, and even multiple actors playing the same characters due to time jumps. Throughout it all, there has not been one cast member who's disappointed me. The performances are excellent across the board, adding to the prestige quality of the show.

Though I have my favorite characters in House of the Dragon, choosing a favorite actor is difficult. They're all so good and bring nuances to their characters. I was shocked that I started wanting more Aegon on my screen in season 2, a character I can't stand, just because Tom Glynn-Carney's performance is so captivating. And even one of the writers, Sara Hess, was taken aback by how much people fell in...

This article contains spoilers through the season 2 finale of House of the Dragon.

The relationship between Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy) in House of the Dragon has yet to be defined as explicitly queer, but in this world, it’s no secret that queerness isn’t exactly celebrated. Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) literally had to fake his own death in order to be with the man he loved. But that doesn’t mean that queerness doesn’t still exist.

The first season of House of the Dragon sows the seeds within Alicent and Rhaenyra’s relationship subtly, so much so that the show was accused of queerbaiting for not making their feelings for each other more obvious and explicit. But a lot of the beauty of this relationship lies in the nuances. The small glances, the tender touches, the private moments shared.

While House of the Dragon is set over a hundred years before its flagship show Game of Thrones, it still has many of the creative elements that made Got a hit. From unexpected deaths to high-stakes politics, the spinoff proved to be a worthy successor to the global phenomenon, despite an underwhelming season 2 finale.

However, one aspect of filming the show reportedly daunted actress Emily Carey, who played a young Alicent Hightower. The actress mentioned that they were scared to film the s*x scene in the first season with actor Paddy Considine due to the age gap, as well as the graphic scenes in Got.

Emily Carey Was Scared To Film One House of the Dragon Scene Emily Carey in House of the Dragon | Credits: HBO

The HBO drama series Game of Thrones was known for, among other things, its graphic n*dity and depiction of intimate scenes. From the first episode,...

It's no secret that House of the Dragon likes to play around with magic and prophecies more than Game of Thrones ever did. The first season of House of the Dragon kicks off with the prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised, a legendary hero that's said to beat back the darkness during the Long Night. Throughout the series, this prophecy has become an integral and important part of the show but it's not the only magical aspect of the series.

It looks like Season 3 of House of the Dragon will be featuring even more prophecy and magic. According to TVLine, showrunner Ryan Condal revealed that Phia Saban's Helaena will be key to the magical plotline moving forward. "Whatever this ability is that she has, shes learning to wield it or to pay more heed to it, or shes learning how to interpret it better [...] We were interested in...

Following the mellow finale of House of the Dragon Season 2, showrunner Ryan Condal sat for a virtual press conference with IGN and spoke about the finale and the upcoming Season 3. He addressed the lack of action in the highly-anticipated conclusion as well as the long wait ahead for the new season, assuring fans that it will be worth it.

The first season of House of the Dragon premiered in October 2022, captivating audiences with its intense political drama and dragon-filled action. The second season, which avoided being impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, premiered in June 2024. This came after a gap of almost two years and once again left fans eagerly waiting for the story to continue. However, fans will now have another long wait for Season 3 to arrive.

House of the Dragon TV-ma

Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon...

Hair color is crucial in Game of Thrones, acting as an important identifier among noble houses in Westeros. House of the Dragon continues to explore the significance of hair color, shaping characters' identities and secrets. In the fantasy world, hair color plays a key role in differentiating legitimate heirs, bastards, and hiding true identities.

House of the Dragon art imagines if Alicent's children shared her hair color instead of having Targaryen blonde. Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the prequel series chronicles the devastating Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Early on, one of the key characters in this conflict is Alicent Hightower, played by Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke, who marries King Viserys and gives birth to four children Aegon, Aemond, Helaena, and Daeron the last of which has yet be seen on screen.

Now, some AI art shared by queenboltons on...

Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon's season 2 finale!

Rhaenyra and Alicent's encounter in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale hints at the confirmed romantic undertones between them. Season 3 of House of the Dragon will see big moments following the emotional scene at Dragonstone between Rhaenyra and Alicent. The potential romantic feelings between Rhaenyra and Alicent add a tragic layer to their story, as societal expectations hinder their relationship.

Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower came face-to-face yet again in House of the Dragon season 2's finale, and their encounter seemingly confirmed a long-running theory surrounding the characters. The finale, titled "The Queen Who Ever Was," may not have been as action-packed as some had hoped, but it effectively set up big moments to come in House of the Dragon season 3. The finale also featured another surprise reunion by two of House of the Dragon's core characters,...

Ratings for the Season 2 finale of House of the Dragon prove the Game of Thrones prequel may just have wings after all. According to a report by Deadline, The Season 2 finale brought in 8.9 million viewers on Sunday night across HBO and its digital platforms, including Max. That's a jump of 14% over the Season 2 premiere episode, which had 7.8 million viewers. However, even with the gains in viewership, the Season 2 finale ratings still trail the audience highs Season 1 achieved, with the first season finale bringing in over 9 million viewers. The highest audience numbers since the final episode of Game of Thrones aired in 2019.

According to the report, the audience size for House of the Dragon Season 2 was down 22% at the beginning of the season (compared to the first season), but has grown with each new episode, giving HBO hope that the series is building a viewership, and winning back Game of Thrones fans.

House of the Dragon fans have found a lot to love about the latest season of dragons, dynasties, and death, which is the Game of Thrones universe. However, many have voiced the same complaint about the Season 2 finale the lack of a huge battle. Many seemingly expected the sophomore season of the show to culminate in the Battle of the Gullet, but instead the show went out with a whimper, disappointing those expecting to see fire rain down on Westeros. Showrunner Ryan Condal addressed why Season 2s ending was more about building expectations than delivering another brutal, visual piece of eye candy.

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Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria.

House of the Dragon dives into the intricate Dance of Dragons, filled with ruthless murders and political scheming, faithful to the book. Changes in the show, like focusing on Daemon in Harrenhal, add complexity while honoring George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood narrative. The tragic consequences of greed and power are vividly depicted in the conflict, emphasizing the human nature of maneuvering through conflict.

House of the Dragon's second season chronicles the beginning of the "Dance of Dragons," riddled with senseless murders, meticulous plotting, and mental unraveling. The series, for the most part, has remained faithful to the book, with important events like "The Battle of Rook's Rest" and characters like the Dragonseeds being introduced.

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Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens,...

House of the Dragon will officially call it quits after four seasons. That's great news for the Game of Thrones prequel, which unlike its predecessor seems to understand it's better to leave the party early, while everyone's (probably?) still having a great time, instead of hanging around to watch all the guests slowly get bored and leave. Good for them.

During a press conference to discuss the Season 2 finale (via Variety), House of the Dragon showrunner and co-creator Ryan Condal confirmed that the series will end with Season 4. According to Condal, the writers are currently at work on scripts for Season 3, which is expected to begin production "earlyish" in 2025. Asked if viewers can expect another eight-episode order for Season 3, Condal said:

I havent had discussions with HBO about it. I would just anticipate the cadence of the show, from a dramatic storytelling perspective, will continue to be the same from Season 2 on.

House of the Dragon has been a victim of an online leak ahead of its season finale, which is set to officially premiere on August 4. The leak was spread on TikTok and subsequently on X/Twitter and Reddit. It consists of several clips from the episode that will conclude the Game of Thrones spin-off's second season. These clips add up to 30 minutes of footage from the last episode, and though all the accounts spreading the leak have been banned, more than 100,000 viewers were able to see it.

The previous season also saw its last episode leak days prior to its release, and it does raise questions over HBO's security for the same thing to have happened again. According to Variety, network execs released a statement about the leak:

"We are aware that clips from the House of the Dragon season finale have surfaced across social media platforms. The clips were...

House of the Dragon has become a massive hit for HBO, but alas, audiences always have to find something to complain about, and this time its a kiss from the latest episode, 'Smallfolk,' that has people up in arms and review-bombing the acclaimed series over on IMDb. The moment came toward the end of the episode when Queen Rhaenyra (Emma DArcy) and Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) engaged in a sapphic kiss that sent sensitive snowflakes to the website to cast their stones, accusing the series of pushing "the agenda."

Per Vanity Fair, the kiss has brought out the worst in folks, with IMDb users crying foul over the tender moment, which, according to Mizuno, was unscripted. So far, a whopping 35.3% of people have given the episode a 1-star rating, compared to 23.1% who awarded it 10-stars. User ahmedraheemjasim said that the moment will surely "drag the storyline to its doom," while...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6, and Fire & Blood.

House of the Dragon season 2 makes the "Rhaenicent" theories more likely. Rhaenyra's bisexuality, hinted at by her kiss with Mysaria, could tie into her feelings toward Alicent. The show diverges from the book by emphasizing the strong bond between Alicent and Rhaenyra, which does not exist in Fire & Blood.

House of the Dragon season 2s latest episode has made the shows oldest Rhaenyra and Alicent theory much more plausible. As the list of House of the Dragons changes from the book continues to grow, HBOs adaptation of George R.R. Martins Fire & Blood gets to take the story in unexpected directions. Rhaenyra and Mysarias kiss is an example of creative liberty that does not necessarily contradict anything established in the book and adds another layer of complexity to the story of the Black Queen.

Much like Game of Thrones,...

The following article has spoilers for House of the Dragon.

Steve Toussaint, the actor who plays Lord Corlys Velaryon in House of the Dragon, was just as shocked as everyone else was when he found out his character had cheated on Rhaenys, and that he had a couple of sons out of wedlock. Infidelity in the universe of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones (Jon Snow is probably the most famous character on television whose mother is still a controversial topic of discussion) isn't outside of the norm. Although fans usually know such plot points beforehand, the Corlys' secret was still a shocking reveal that even impressed the actor who plays him.

Since season 2 of House of the Dragon began, fans knew there was something off about Corlys' constant contact with some characters we didn't know about. The character also maintained a low profile until Rhaenys was killed,...

The most recent episode of House of the Dragon, "Smallfolk," featured an unexpected cameo by one of the best characters in the show. Missed by fans and the only one capable of restoring order in all of Westeros King Viserys I Targaryen showed up for a short scene in which he speaks from the grave to a mentally unstable Daemon Targaryen, his brother. Perhaps it wasn't the return we all wanted, but at least we saw Paddy Considine wear the crown that made him such an important character in Season 1.

Daemon is still a victim of his own nightmares and his inner demons, which are let loose in the haunted site known as Harrenhal. In previous episodes, we saw his descent into madness when he started seeing things that weren't there. He saw a young Rhaenyra (also a great cameo by Milly Alcock), had sex with his mom in the...

Rhaenyra Targaryen's sexuality has been open for interpretation until Season 2, Episode 6. Rhaenyra's kiss with Mysaria underlines the queen's wish for female companionship that she lost with Alicent. As the first A Song of Ice and Fire protagonist confirmed to be LGBTQ+, Rhaenyra breaks grounds in this fantasy world.

The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6, which premiered Sunday, July 21 on HBO. The following also mentions sexual assault.

The personal history between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower is the central conflict of House of the Dragon, a deviant route from George R. R. Martin's book Fire & Blood. As their friendship bitterly fell apart and their rivalry became aggressive, both viewers and the younger actors of the characters opened up the possibility of Rhaenyra and Alicent having romantic feelings for each other. The interpretation wasn't to tick a box, but to add a colorful nuance to their backstories.

Olivia Cooke shone as Rachel in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl before impressively taking on Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon. Rachel and Alicent share surprising parallels, both wise beyond their years, navigating tough circumstances with courage and honesty. Cooke's stellar performance as Rachel prepared her well for the emotional depth and resilience required to portray Alicent in the popular Max series.

Olivia Cooke is now best known for her excellent portrayal of Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, but before that, her best role was in an underrated 2015 film. Before these projects joined the ranks of her best movies and shows, Cooke gained widespread recognition for her regular role as Emma Decody in the Psycho prequel series Bates Motel. She went on to appear in a variety of other films and series, including as Samantha/Art3mis in Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One and...

Dragons play a huge role in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire epic. With House of the Dragon depicting the most dragon-driven conflict in the history of Westeros, it's an appropriate time to look back on the 10 largest dragons in the history of the Known World. Dragons create a strong bond with their dragonriders -- which inevitably results in viewers gaining access to a deeply personal experience for the characters in the story. However, this being George R.R. Martin and the Game of Thrones universe, such a bond also results in extreme heartache.

Still, whether a dragon falls or rises, their stories live on -- which is why fans will always remember these most notable creatures. Using information from the lore provided by George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels -- as well as the supplementary works such as The World...

The following may contain spoilers for House of the Dragon based on the events of the novel Fire & Blood.

sd sds House of the Dragon's second season has finally gotten to the Dance of the Dragons the Targaryen civil war. One side of that war is House Hightower who, led by Queen Alicent Hightower and her father, the Hand of the King Otto Hightower, usurped the Iron Throne from Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Rhaenyra was declared heir by her father King Viserys I Targaryen, also Alicent's husband, yet a misinterpretation of Viserys I's final words and the societal concerns of a female ruler propelled the Hightowers into installing Alicent's son, Aegon, as king.

For as prominent as the Hightowers are in House of the Dragon, they are hardly seen in Game of Thrones. Fans who will watch, rewatch, or read the original series will notice the Hightowers are still involved in the Baratheon-Lannister dynasty.

The following article contains Spoilers for Season 2, Episode 5 of House of the Dragon.

The most recent episode of House of the Dragon, Regent, didn't exactly feel like any of the previous installments. It didn't feature the bombastic dragon fights we are used to, or the usual violence of HBO's fantasy juggernaut. But yes, it featured a very controversial romantic scene that has enraged fans all over, not because of what it implies, but because of what it revealed about Daemon's inner thoughts. But what show do people think they're watching? Are they really that surprised?

In the episode, Daemon hasn't left Harrenhal. The gloomy and ravaged castle is still being repaired, and the Prince is trying to gain control of the houses around the site. It doesn't exactly work for him, so his frustration is shown to affect his sleep. But suddenly, Daemon is shown beside a beautiful Targaryen woman who caresses him romantically.

George R.R. Martin has been mostly impressed with Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, recently praising the franchises most devastating dragon battle yet, and the development of several characters that he had perhaps not fleshed out as much in the novel, Fire and Blood. However, that doesnt mean that the author hasnt got his little bugbears about the HBO adaptation, and one of those is a sloppy mistake in a very prominent part of the Targaryen sigil.

No animal that has ever lived on Earth has six limbs. For what it's worth, the show got it half right. Someone got sloppy, I guess. Or someone opened a book on heraldry, and read just enough of it to muck it all up. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

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Editor’s Note: This post contains spoilers for “House of the Dragon” Season 2, as well as major upcoming plot points from George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”

Like “Game of Thrones” before it, “House of the Dragon” is no stranger to canon departures from George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.” From minor modifications to adding padding for episodes that were just a paragraph in the book to major adjustments that redirect character arcs, this series has it all — while preserving the spirit of a story that has captivated fans for years.

In Season 2, Episode 5, “Regent,” characters deal with the aftermath of what happened at Rook’s Rest, a major battle at that should have been an easy victory. Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) uses his army to draw out Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys, planning to ambush them with Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) on Vhagar — but they didn’t...

Have any of you noticed a dash of fairy-tale enchantment embedded in the vast narrative of Ryan Condal & George R. R. Martin’s House of the Dragon? Well, prior to its majestic debut, the series was frequently likened to the Roy family saga Succession, which itself is a modern dance of power and betrayal. However, believe it or not, House of the Dragon seems to share its dragon fire not just with its famous predecessor, Game of Thrones, but also with the animated world of Shrek.

Emily Carey as Lady / Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon | HBO

Consider this: the regal green gown of Queen Alicent Hightower that mirrors Princess Fiona’s iconic attire and the similarity between the demise of two kings, albeit one croaking quite literally as a frog. All this is laid bare in a comparison video (via Instagram) that could tickle the ribs of both kingdoms near and far.

House of the Dragon, a prequel series to the widely popular Game of Thrones, gave fans many new characters to cheer for and boo for. One of the most morally ambiguous of these characters is Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke as an adult and Emily Carey as a teen. She's as ruthless as any character in the show, yet she's hard to truly hate.

Alicent is the mother of King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and sits in a position of power. Yet she also has less power than most of the men around her. It's not easy being a woman in Westeros, and House of the Dragon is keen that viewers understand that. Thus, Alicent is tormented, complex, difficult and an absolute standout character on the show.

Alicent Gets A Harsh Lesson From Her Father Season 1, Episode 5: "We Light the Way"

At the beginning of the episode "We Light The Way,...

Targaryens' dragons from Valyria still dominate House of the Dragon - how did they disappear by Game of Thrones? The Doom of Valyria holds the answer. Dragons, central to Westeros, linked Targaryen family and brought chaos and power. Without unnatural intervention, a healthy dragon seems to have a lifespan of about 200 years.

Both of HBO's fantasy epics, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, heavily feature dragons. They're weapons of mass destruction, fearsome beasts that can turn the tide of a battle. It's an awe-inspiring moment, and also a terrifying one, when you see the enormous shape of a dragon soaring through the air, looming toward a battlefield. Their fire is said to be magical and more intense than normal flames. Dragons can torch an entire battlefield from the skies, reducing men into ash within seconds. It's also believed that dragons have no fixed gender and can reproduce as needed.

The latest episode reveals a surprising twist in Alicent's relationship with Ser Criston Cole. Fans react to Alicent's use of moon tea, praising her practicality while speculating on the repercussions of her actions. Alicent's actions hint at her continuing power play in House of the Dragon, setting the stage for potential conflicts and betrayals in upcoming episodes.

The following article contains Major spoilers for House of the Dragon.

Last Sunday's episode of House of the Dragon featured a lot of action involving fighting dragons, something we don't see often in the Game of Thrones prequel. However, before the lethal dance of dragons that blew everyone's minds in the third act, there was another surprising scene involving Alicent Hightower.

That scene featured a common practice in the series and one that Alicent has been shown to use in the past just not on herself. The scene sent viewers into a social...

Iwan Rheon, who played Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones, hasn't watched House of the Dragon. Emilia Clarke, who played Daenerys Targaryen, hasn't watched the prequel either, but supports the show and the cast. George R.R. Martin praised the first two episodes of House of the Dragon's second season.

Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon is currently in its second season, and continues to earn strong reviews from both critics and fans. However, don't expect to get a review from Iwan Rheon, who played the infamous, sausage-waving villain Ramsay Bolton on the show. He has yet to watch House of the Dragon, although he has a pretty good reason why. In an interview with ComicBook.com, Rheon said he hasn't watched the prequel, but he does have a legitimate excuse. He has simply been busy as of late, including filming Peacock's Those About to Die, an event...