All you need to know about the Game of Thrones prequel, ‘House of the Dragon’

A new teaser for the "Game of Thrones" spinoff "House of the Dragon", was released recently. HBO promises the premiere of the show in 2022.

The series is based on "Fire & Blood", the first of George R R Martin's two volumes diving into the extensive Targaryen history. According to HBO, the prequel is set 300 years before the events depicted in "Game of Thrones". It is during that era when Aegon the Conqueror, the first of three centuries of Targaryen rulers, united six of the seven kingdoms of Westeros.

But, most likely, the series will focus on the first Targaryen civil war, also known as "The Dance of the Dragons." It is during this war more than a century after Aegon's rule, that dragons went extinct, until Daenerys hatched three 150 years later.

George R R Martin co-created the series with Colony's Ryan Condal. The latter will write for the show and also serve as joint showrunner with veteran "Game of Thrones" director Miguel Sapochnik. Sapochnik led some of the biggest, most famous episodes on the original series.

Emmy-winning "Game of Thrones" composer Ramin Djawadi will return to Westeros to score "House of the Dragon".

The prequel boasts a large ensemble cast. Paddy Considine is playing King Viserys I, the Targaryen ruler who foolishly did not anticipate the war of succession that would follow his death.

Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, and Emma D'Arcy are playing a trio of the most important characters in the series. Cook is Alicent Hightower, the second wife to King Viserys I, who schemed to have her son seated on the Iron Throne. Smith is "Rogue Prince," Daemon Targaryen, Viserys' younger brother. D'Arcy will play Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the would-be queen who was her father's named successor who ultimately marries Daemon.

Other major initial castings were Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon also known as "The Sea Snake"; Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, Rhys Ifans as Hand of the King Otto Hightower; and Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria. Fabien Frankel is playing Ser Criston Cole of Dorne, who has a major role in the civil war. George R R Martin has teased a few major things on his blog.

"Outlander" actor Graham McTavish will play Kingsguard member Ser Harrold Westerling. Ryan Corr will play Ser Harwin 'Breakbones' Strong, while Jefferson Hall will essay the role of Lord Jason Lannister. David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos, Matthew Needham as Larys Strong, Bill Paterson as Lord Lyman Beesbury, and Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong, are also in the cast.