'House of the Dragon': 2022's most-watched premiere draws nearly 10 million viewers
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.
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.
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 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?
"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.
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.
The Targaryens are back - indeed - and they are ruling Westeros; with fire and blood.
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