How does this relate toGame of Thrones?

These events provide a lot of background to the original series,particularly when it comes to the character of Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). This bloody history explains why she and her brother (also named Viserys Targaryen) were so alone at the start of the series – and felt so entitled to the Iron Throne too.

It also helps underscore the importance and meaning of her dragons,as well as her ancestral connection to certain sites throughout the series’ run.

As you might have noted from the show’s name and every single piece of marketing material that surrounds it,House of the Dragon will feature plenty of dragons – and we definitely won’t have to wait five seasons to see someone ride one.

Does it matter if you haven’t watched Game of Thrones?

No! As the show is a prequel,there won’t be any overlap or required knowledge from the other series. But if you’re watching alongside anyGame of Thronesfans,be prepared for plenty of groans of recognition and long explanations of things you likely don’t need to know.

Is George R. R. Martin involved?

Yes! Firstly,the series is adapted from theGame of Thrones creator’s 2018 bookFire&Blood(which is written as a historical text on the Targaryens,rather than a conventional narrative). But Martin is also a co-creator and executive producer on the series.

The fantasy novelist fought hard to get the green light forHouse of the Dragon as opposed to other proposed spin-offs from his extended universe and,in news that will excite jaded fans who didn’t love the way the original series ended,he recently toldThe New YorkTimes that he is “a lot more involved inHouse of the Dragon than ... in the later seasons ofGame of Thrones”.

Game of Thrones’ showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss(who many fans blame for the show’s rushed ending) are not involved with this new show at all,and it will instead be helmed by Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik. The former is known best for creating the sci-fi seriesColony. The latter has directed a number of notable episodes ofGame of Thrones includingHardhome,Battle of the Bastardsand The Long Night.

Is it supposed to be any good?

Early reviews for House of the Dragon have been mostly positive. Our residentGame of Thrones diehard,Michael Idato,has proclaimed it“a worthy heir to the Throne”,saying it delivers “above expectation”.

Others havecompared it to whatGame of Thrones was in its heyday:“A game of political seven-dimensional chess ... designed to reward diehard fantasy fans in full measure without alienating the masses”.

It won’t all be long conversations and large glasses of red wine,though. Those who have had a sneak peek at the first episodes note there’s also plenty of action,nudity and violence.

Notably,the show’s creators have confirmedit will steer clear of the gratuitous on-screen sexual violence that characterised much of the original series. But,a note to the squeamish:Sapochnik has promiseda scene in which children “beat each other senseless”.

Hold on to your heads,Game of Thrones is back!

House of the Dragonis streaming weekly on Binge and Foxtel from Monday,August 22.

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