‘House of the Dragon’ Unveils Two Compelling Trailers for Fans to Pick From Prior to Season 2

House of the Dragon Releases Dueling Trailers for Fans to Choose From Ahead of Season 2

Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy Ollie Upton/HBO

Game of Thrones fans were in for a treat on Thursday, March 21, when HBO dropped not one but two trailers for the highly anticipated second season of the prequel series, House of the Dragon.

The network is inviting viewers to pick a side following the season 1 demise of Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine): are you Team Targaryen or Team Hightower? The trailers showcase the black faction of Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), and their troops on Dragonstone, as well as the green team of Alicent (Olivia Cooke), her father, Otto (Rhys Ifans), and her children, King Aegon (Ty Tennant) and Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). The new season will explore the beginning of the Targaryen civil war, set 200 years before the events of Thrones, which concluded in 2019.

In last season’s October 2022 finale, Aemond kills Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys and his dragon, sparking a war in Westeros. Both sides, led by Rhaenyra and Alicent, are gathering allies, forces, and dragons for an upcoming battle.

Aegon, feeling entitled and naive, insists on his title as king, while Rhaenyra believes the Iron Throne rightfully belongs to her as their late father, Viserys’ heir. However, history often favors firstborn sons over women in the line of succession.

Rhaenyra states in the black trailer that her father chose her, his firstborn child, to succeed him, and she intends to fight the war to claim her rightful place on the throne. On the other hand, Alicent argues in the dueling trailer that Viserys wanted Aegon to be his successor, and Rhaenyra's supporters may believe otherwise.

The trailers for the prequel series also hint at a return to Winterfell, the ancestral home of the Starks, now ruled by Cregan Stark (played by Tom Taylor). Based on George R.R. Martin's book Fire & Blood, the fantasy drama explores the history of House Targaryen. The show premiered in 2022 and drew in nearly 10 million viewers, making it HBO's biggest series debut ever. Although nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2023 Emmys, it lost to Succession. Game of Thrones, the original series, won the prestigious award four times.

Good news for Thrones fans - there are more spinoffs in the works! However, the sixth book in Martin's series has been in development for over a decade, leaving fans waiting eagerly.

"I'm 12 years late with Winds of Winter," Martin admitted. "I'm just going to put it right out there. You guys don't have to pester me about it."

House of the Dragon Releases Dueling Trailers for Fans to Choose From Ahead of Season 2

Matt Smith Theo Whitman/HBO

House of the Dragon returns with season 2 Sunday, June 16, on HBO and Max at 9 p.m. ET.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming second season of "House of the Dragon" promises an epic clash between the Targaryen and Hightower factions. With the civil war brewing, fans will be drawn into the intense power struggle between Rhaenyra and Alicent, each claiming their right to the Iron Throne. The trailers showcase the formidable armies and dragons on both sides, setting the stage for a gripping and explosive battle. The return to Winterfell adds another layer of intrigue, hinting at the involvement of the legendary Stark family in the upcoming conflict.

While the wait for the sixth book in Martin's series continues, "House of the Dragon" provides a much-needed fix for "Game of Thrones" enthusiasts. The show's success is a testament to the enduring popularity of the fantasy genre and the captivating world that Martin has created. With a talented cast, stunning visuals, and a thrilling storyline, "House of the Dragon" is poised to continue the legacy of its predecessor and become a must-watch for fantasy fans worldwide.