We entered the story at the height of the Targaryen dynasty, and now the second season of HBO’s Game of Thrones spin-off series House of the Dragon is delving into its downfall.
With devastating war, dragons going head-to-head and family bonds being pushed to the limit, season two of House of the Dragon sees the continuation of the Dance of the Dragons.
Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon is adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood – roughly 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen.
House of the Dragon covers the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, which was during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, Rhaenyra’s father.
With House of the Dragon’s second season out now, discover everything you need to know below.
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How did House of the Dragon season one end?
Before we dive into season two, here is a refresher given the near-two-year hiatus.
Young Lucerys Velaryon died at the hands of Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar. As Lucerys died, so too did Rhaenyra’s hope of peace.
Devastated by the loss of her son, the series ends with the promise of a bloody and brutal battle.
What is the plot for House of Dragon season two?
The trailer, which summarises what you can expect this season, opens with Rhaenyra looking defeated and heartbroken as a voice states, “Errors were made in the hours following King Visery’s death.”
The newly crowned Aegon II is placed in evil light as he storms through the crown room, guards in his stead. Viewers also see glimpses of Daemon Targaryen and Aemond, the prince killer.
Banners representing the Targaryen and Hightower march with fields full of soldiers bring the promise of war.
Women, in particular Alicent and Rhaenyra, remain the heart of House of the Dragon as they are reluctant to destroy their family and the kingdom despite the trailer teasing a brutal war.
“There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin,” Rhaenyra said. To which her aunt Rhaenys Targaryen reminds her, “And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.”
When is House of the Dragon season two released?
House of the Dragon premiered with its first episode on June 17 on Binge,
New episodes were released weekly on Mondays until the finale on August 5. Sign up here to start streaming.
Who is the cast of House of the Dragon season two?
The main characters of House of the Dragon returned for the second season including Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Princess Rhaenya (Eve Best), Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) and Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney).
Joining them are Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia), Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban), Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall) and Larys Strong (Matthew Needham).
Meanwhile, newcomers to the second season include Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.
Where can you watch House of the Dragon in Australia?
Luckily for fans, all seasons of House of the Dragon are available for streaming on Foxtel and Binge.
And if that isn’t enough dragons for you, all eight seasons of Game of Thrones are available for streaming on those same platforms.
Stream House of the Dragon now on Binge with a 7-day free trial. Subscribe here.
How does House of the Dragon end?
Don’t continue reading if you want a spoiler-free House of the Dragon viewing. However, if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, it may have already been spoiled.
Sadistic young monarch, Joffrey spoiled Rhaenyra’s tragic fate while showing his betrothed, Margaery Tyrell, her grave in season three, episode four of Game of Thrones. He gleefully revealed that she was murdered by her brother’s dragon.
“Rhaenrya Targaryen was murdered by her brother or rather his dragon. It ate her while her son watched,” he laughed. “What’s left of her is buried in the crypts right down there.”
Based on the plot of Fire & Blood, the brother Joffrey is referring to is none other than Aegon II, Alicent and Viserys I’s son.
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