'House of the Dragon': 2022's most-watched premiere draws nearly 10 million viewers

The 'Game of Thrones' prequel surpassed 'Euphoria' Season 2 and 'Stranger Things 4'

The Targaryens are platinum blonde, and most of them are quite crazy. The "mad king" Aerys was a constant reference in the Game of Thrones (GoT) series, being the father of Daenerys Targaryen, one of the main characters, who descends into madness at the end, reported DW. 

The multiple award-winning TV saga had its last season in 2019. Its much-awaited finale proved disappointing for many fans, who thought the ending fell far short of expectations. Now, however, there seems to be some consolation in sight, because the House of the Dragon, (HotD), which premiered this Sunday, narrates the history of the Targaryen dynasty.

According to Reuters, the premiere of the much-awaited show drew nearly 10 million viewers on Sunday on television and the HBO Max streaming service. It is the largest audience for any new original series in the history of the network, HBO reported. Anticipation for the series, set 200 years before HBO’s Game of Thrones, fanned conversation on social media, where House of Dragon remained a top trending topic on Twitter for 14 hours, HBO said on Monday.

The premise 

Three centuries before the story of GoT begins, the Targaryens held the Iron Throne and power over the seven kingdoms of the fictitious continent of Westeros. 

At the time, King Viserys, one of the sane Targaryens, a level-headed and kind-hearted regent, took an unpopular decision following a dramatic twist of fate. He declared his daughter Rhaenyra as his successor to the throne, despite a number of potential male successors and the fact that the kingdom had never had a woman ruler in its history.

Added to the mix is Viserys' diabolical brother, Daemon, who was up to no good and whose existence proved what became a dictum in Westeros: When a Targaryen is born, the gods throw a coin to decide whether the newborn will be crazy or not.

A civil war ensued after the struggle for power in the House of Targaryen, replete with swords and fiery dragons, proclaiming the end of the clan and its dragons. Or not quite — in the Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen was gifted three dragon eggs at her wedding.

A familiar setting

Game of Thrones fans will feel at home in the House of the Dragon, with its characteristic bloodbaths and surprising twists. In House of the Dragons, just as in Game of Thrones, the Iron Throne sits in the Great Hall of the Red Keep in King's Landing; the courtiers sit at the massive stone table, making crucial decisions and conjuring devious plots.

This time, it's not Dubrovnik, Croatia, that provides the backdrop to the story, but rather Cornwall and Derbyshire in England, as well as Caceres, Spain, the fortress of Monsanto in Portugal and Los Angeles.

Martin is the co-producer of House of the Dragon. He also worked with scriptwriter Ryan Condal on the new series. Miguel Sapochnik, a Game of Thrones veteran, directed the episodes.

A bevy of good actors

The series also boasts reputed actors, some of whom will be known to series junkies. Matt Smith, the title figure in Doctor Who, plays Daemon Targaryen. He played the role of the young Prince Philip in the Netflix series, The Crown, based on the British royal family.

The key figure of Rhaenyra is played by Emma D'Arcy. The 30-year-old considers herself non-binary and has appeared in the British miniseries Wanderlust and the streaming comedy series Truth Seekers.

Rhaenyra: Queen of the seven kingdoms?

George R R Martin is satisfied with the cast. "I've seen all ten episodes now (albeit in rough cuts), and I love what I've seen," he wrote on his website,  saying the "cast and crew have done some magnificent work."

"House of the Dragon is all I hoped it would be; dark, powerful, visceral, disturbing, stunning to look at, peopled with complex and very human characters brought to life by some truly amazing actors," he added.

Apart from humans, 17 dragons make their appearance, spewing their deadly fire on the command of "Dracarys." Thus, the civil war, which determines the plot of House of the Dragon, goes down in Westeros' history as a Dance with Dragons, the name of Martin's fifth novel in the original Song of Ice and Fire series that provided the basis for The Game of Thrones.

Over the moon!

The fans couldn't contain their excitement as House of the Dragon became the trending topic for the day. The nostalgia played an imperative part where fans were transported back into the gory tales of the seven kingdoms.

I’d be lying if I said seeing a Stark of Winterfell on my television again didn’t make me a little emotional. #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/EIvfx2kTpV

— House Of The Dragon Source (@HOTDsource) August 22, 2022

The design & wardrobe departments did the damn thing. #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/xkdFXW5yh4

— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) August 16, 2022

Me watching all the shots of old king’s landing in #HouseoftheDragon

“that’s where Cersei had her map”
“That building ain’t there anymore” pic.twitter.com/ZwUdDqT9Tu

— DVRRICK (@DadeSouf) August 22, 2022

The cinematography in #HouseOfTheDragon this season will be top notch. pic.twitter.com/i0zwDPj8Yl

— House Of The Dragon Source (@HOTDsource) August 22, 2022

me during the next however many sundays at 9pm eastern standard time #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/LqvkhVEX9A

— 𝖘𝔠𝔬𝔱𝔱𝔦𝔢 (@guiltymowgli) August 22, 2022

One episode in and I’m absolutely and completely OBSESSED with #HouseoftheDragon

I mean ⬇️🥲🤯 pic.twitter.com/IDEYzzo6gP

— 🐉 (@skarsgaryen) August 22, 2022

Matt Smith and Milly Alcock as Daemon & Rhaenyra Targaryen are such perfect casting #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/38JAUY1Mw9

— sic (@Iadybrds) August 22, 2022

“Heir for a day” being uttered at a brothel is mad disrespect 😭 #HouseoftheDragon pic.twitter.com/9lAOumBxEp

— Free Folk Memes (@FreeFolkMemes) August 22, 2022

“Dracarys” #HouseoftheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/wzbljQqaG5

— Julian (@thegoonk1ng) August 22, 2022

The Targaryens are back - indeed - and they are ruling Westeros; with fire and blood. 

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