Ahead of production kickstarting early next year, HBO has announced three new additions to the massive ensemble cast of its hotly awaited Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon: Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One; Thoroughbreds), Emma D'Arcy (Truth Seekers; Hanna), and Primetime Emmy-nominee Matt Smith (Doctor Who; Terminator: Genisys).
Cooke will portray Alicent Hightower, who is being described as "the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King, and the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms. She was raised in the Red Keep, close to the king and his innermost circle; she possesses both a courtly grace and a keen political acumen." She also eventually becomes the second wife to King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine).
D’Arcy will portray Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, who is described as "the king’s first-born child, she is of pure Valyrian blood, and she is a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man." Entertainment Weekly adds that the character fills a major rock star role within the show, which may ultimately result in her being one of the show's biggest breakouts come 2022.
Smith will portray Prince Daemon Targaryen, who is the "younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon. But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…"
Additionally, the first season has been confirmed to run for ten episodes, with Game of Thrones veteran Miguel Sapochnik serving as co-showrunner alongside Ryan Condel (Colony). Sapochnik will also helm the pilot, and additional season one directors will include Clare Kilner (EastEnders), Geeta Patel (The Witcher), and Greg Yaitanes (House).
With production slated to begin in early 2021, the series is expected to debut exclusively on HBO in 2022, presumably in April.