More than 10 years have passed since Game of Thrones arrived on television to change it forever. Prior to this, epic fantasy, along with the huge budgets required to portray it, had been reserved almost exclusively for cinema. However, the series based on his books George R. R. Martin, managed to prove in eight seasons that big armies, towering palaces and, of course, flame-throwing dragons can also fit on the small screen. Of course, the millions of viewers he created want more. Even more intrigues, passions, conflicts and myths.

We were lucky enough to be the first to see the first episodes of House of the Dragon, and we can assure you that the series, which is a spin-off of Game of Thrones and will premiere next Sunday, fully lives up to its occasion. But let’s go in order. As you know, we are about two centuries before the events of the original myth, the time when the royal house of the Targaryens – and their dragons – have the Iron Throne under their rule. These are also the main characters: King Viserys (Paddy Considine), his younger brother Damon (Matt Smith) and his teenage daughter Rainira (Millie Alcock – Emma d’Arcy). Around them, according to the manners of the “Game of Thrones”, dozens more characters will gather, many of which will be decisive in the development of events. Money, as the Americans say, is on the screen from the very beginning. Each episode of the series costs about $16-18 million, and it shows in the sets, special effects, and so on. Then comes the “Game of the Crown”: rivalries, intrigues and above all … marriages for the purpose of access to the throne; the difference is that this time it’s not so much happening between different houses, but directly in the Targaryen house. Without revealing more about the plot, let’s just say that being a consul in the age of dragons was a very difficult task.

To win over, of course, a number of new fans and at the same time satisfy (many others) who will return because of Game of Thrones, actors play a big role. First, the creator of the world of Westeros, George R.R. Martin, who takes on an even more active role here, being one of the creators. Plus, Miguel Sapocnic, the man who orchestrated some of the most memorable chapters of the previous series, is back in the producer/director chair.

However, the threads connecting the two myths do not end there. From the very beginning, we see the existence of the prophecy of A Song of Ice and Fire, a story that we followed in the eight cycles of Game of Thrones. Items, locations, entire sets are also returning. As for the characters, they are clearly different, on the other hand, the physical resemblance, for example, of Princess Rainier with Daenerys is so striking that it is impossible to go unnoticed.

“House of the Dragon” takes place two centuries before the events of the first series.

However, if you bother to look for the Targaryen family tree – there are many who know such things by heart – it turns out that the latter is actually the great-granddaughter of the former, so this is justified. . Aside from…legacy, the young Millie Alcock, who played the role of Renira in the first episodes, takes on most of the show’s acting weight, and in large part, she succeeds in doing so thanks to her stern face and especial beauty.

Speaking of women: their place in a male-dominated world like the show is a topic that comes up again and again – let’s not forget it’s 2022. In addition, graphic violence may return in The House of the Dragon. in all its wild glory, but that doesn’t apply to nudity and (especially) sex. It seems that even in Westeros there was once some kind of romance…

House of the Dragon will premiere on August 22 on Vodafone TV, a few hours after America.