After fans eagerly awaited the release of House of the Dragon, it has been revealed that 4 major actors in the show are going to be replaced.
Be warned — there are some spoiler alerts in the second half of this story…
Scroll down to find out more.
Now, whether you loved or hated the controversial ending to Game of Thrones, you can’t deny the series was one of the greatest TV shows of all time…
So much so, that we’re getting a prequel!
The new series titled, House of the Dragon is set a whopping 200 years before Game of Thrones and centers around the Targaryen family.
It is reportedly going to delve a little deeper into why the events of the final series played out the way they did.
Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin gave his seal of approval to House of the Dragon.
He apparently saw “rough cuts” of some of the episodes once they had finished filming and admitted to “loving them.”
In a blog post, which he wrote in February this year, he said “a lot more work” needed to be done before it was ready to hit our screens…
However, the “writing, the directing [and] the acting all look terrific.”
“I hope you will like them as much as I do,” he added.
And it seems as though the production has already beaten the budget of the last series of Game of Thrones.
A source told Variety that they’re shelling out $20 million per episode of House of the Dragon, which is an extra $5 million an episode compared to the original.
Doctor Who actor, Matt Smith, who plays Prince Daemon, opened up about what to expect in the new series, revealing to Comicbook, that it is “really different to the original.”
He continued: “I mean it has to be. The original series was its own thing and it was, it was so brilliant and, and sort of left a mark in a way that it would be impossible to repeat.”
Smith added: “So, I don’t know. The truth is I haven’t seen any so it’s difficult for me. Essentially it’s in the same world, it has to take on a slightly different identity. But who knows? I have no idea.”
And now, even more exciting news has emerged about a brand new series, with reports that Kit Harington will reprise his role as Jon Snow.
As we know, at the end of Game of Thrones, Jon learned his real name was Aegon Targaryen, and that he had a direct claim to the Iron Throne.
After killing Daenerys, who went on a rampage in Westeros, Jon decided to live with his wildling friends beyond the wall starting a new life.
And according to The Hollywood Reporter, a sequel to the hit show is currently in development with HBO set around Jon Snow after the events of season 8.
This new show could also open the door for other characters such as Arya Stark, Sansa Stark, and Brienne of Tarth to make a return.
But I guess we’ll just have to wait and see about that one!
For now, the House of the Dragon series debuts on August 21.
The series has finally arrived on our screens!
But fans have been left shocked by some of the storylines…
Many have said the introduction of Viserys’ prospective new love interest was simply too “gross” to stomach.
Now, it’s no shock that the Game of Thrones franchise has been known for some strange relationships throughout the series.
From forced marriage to incest relationships.
But it looks like this storyline was a curveball that many weren’t expecting.
Fans were left stunned after finding out who Viserys was eyeing up as his new bride to be…
Following the death of his wife Aemma at the end of the last episode.
Many feared for the worst when Corlys Velaryon took the King to one side to put forward his daughter as wife and Queen — not least because Lady Laena was also related to Viserys.
But it didn’t become clear just how young Laena was until viewers saw her having a stroll with her lover.
The first thing fans noticed was the height difference between the 2 characters.
As the camera moved closer to both the characters, giving us an insight into their uneasy conversation, you could see the twelve-year-old Laena putting her head back, and looking up to the King.
As she was looking earnestly at the King, she recited the words that were forced into her mouth.
Including a sick promise to give him “many children.”
The strange relationship didn’t sit well with many viewers…
And they took to social media to share their thoughts on the matter.
One fan tweeted: “She’s a baby. This is so f***ing gross. How anyone can even consider this is awful. #HOTD #HouseoftheDragon.”
Another wrote: “The King Viserys and Lady Laena scene is so cringeeeee. I know it’s based 1000s of yrs ago, but the age gap is disgusting #HouseOfTheDragonHBO.”
A third user said the idea of the marriage was “super f***ed up.”
The idea of it didn’t go well with Corlys and Rhaenys, while Rhaenyra looked pretty mortified at the idea of her best mate becoming her stepmom.
US viewers can catch up on the series on HBO and HBO Max.
And now, the makers of House of the Dragon have thrown another bombshell at viewers…
According to LADbible, over the course of the show’s 2 episodes, fans have already had plenty of time to get used to the actors inhabiting the main roles.
Including, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Paddy Considine as the wise but troubled King Viserys, and Milly Alcock as fiery Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
Co-creator Ryan Condal said: “It’s a conceit but I think it does work, having watched it a bunch of times.”
“The people that are truly children in this are the ones that get recast. And the people that are already adults when we meet them, we age them up through hair and makeup and sometimes the actors change their voice,” he added.
Condal said that it makes sense to have a bit of change in the series…
With King Viserys announcing his desire to marry Alicent Hightower in the last episode, it only means that there would have potentially been romantic scenes between the nineteen-year-old Carey and forty-eight-year-old Considine, which would obviously be awkward.
So with that in mind, the makers of the show decided to switch up the characters…
And that’s not all…
According to the media outlet, after 5 episodes with Milly Alcock in the role, there will be a jump forward in time, at which point she’ll be replaced by Emma D’Arcy.
Apparently, Rhaenyra isn’t the only character who is to be recast halfway through the series, either.
Alicent Hightower, played by Emily Carey, will be replaced by Olivia Cooke…
And the actors playing Laena Velaryon and Laenor Velaryon will also change.
But there’s more sad news…
Laena who has been played by Nova Fouellis-Mose will be replaced with Nanna Blondell as an adult…
Laenor has so far been portrayed by Theo Tate, but John MacMillan will take over after episode 5.
What do you think?