After a strike-related delay, the highly anticipated second season of “House of the Dragon” is set to return next week, promising more blood, fire, and power struggles that fans of the “Game of Thrones” universe have come to love. The eight-episode series will take viewers back to the mythical continent of Westeros, nearly two centuries before the events of “Game of Thrones”. The show was pushed back due to a strike last summer by Hollywood writers and actors, but fans can finally rejoice as they dive back into the world of the Targaryens.
The new season of “House of the Dragon” will follow the story of Rhaenyra, played by Emma D’Arcy, as she competes against her half-brother Aegon, played by Tom Glynn-Carney, for the throne of their late father, King Viserys. Showrunner Ryan Condal describes the show as a deeply immersive world, focusing on the connections between characters that keep viewers coming back for more. The first season was a massive success, attracting nearly 10 million viewers in the United States alone, making it a record-breaking original series on HBO.
Condal shares that the upcoming season will be darker and more solemn than its predecessor, “Game of Thrones”, which was known for its dark humor and violence that captivated audiences worldwide. He describes the rivalry between the Blacks and the Greens as a metaphor for the rivalry between nuclear powers, with dragons being the equivalent of nuclear weapons. However, the dragons in the show are sentient beings with their own thoughts and feelings, making them unpredictable and adding to the complexity of the story.
While the show continues to focus on the Targaryen family, Condal reveals that new characters from less privileged backgrounds will be introduced this season, adding to the cultural clash and humor that fans have come to expect from the universe. Matt Smith’s character, Daemon, is expected to bring more shocking and unpredictable moments as he navigates his loyalty to the queen and his obsession with the throne. Condal hints at a third season already in the works, but it is still in the writing stage, leaving fans eager for more twists and turns in the upcoming episodes.
