As Emmy season starts to get going, one of the big shows that could win is back in production.
HBO has confirmed the return of the regular cast from the first season of House of the Dragon, which has begun filming at Leavesden in the United Kingdom.
As expected, the main players in the Dance of the Dragons have all been confirmed: Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen), Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen), Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon), Eve Best (Princess Rhaenys Targaryen), Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole), Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon II Targaryen), Ewan Mitchell (Prince Aemond Targaryen), Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria), and Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower).
Matt Smith plays HBO Prince Daemon Targaryen.
For people who haven’t read the books, this means that Mysaria, also known as the White Worm, is still alive, even though a man in a hood set her house on fire at the end of season 1.
Harry Collett (who plays Jace Velaryon), Bethany Antonia (who plays Baela Targaryen), Phoebe Campbell (who plays Rhaena Targaryen), Phia Saban (who plays Helaena Targaryen), Jefferson Hall (who plays Jason Lannister), and Matthew Needham (who plays Larys Strong) are also back for season 2.
Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, who played Rhaenyra and Alicent when they were younger for half of the first season, won’t be back. Condal told Variety this was true, saying they “are not yet a part of the story we’re telling.”
HBO showed a behind-the-scenes picture of the Iron Throne to mark the start of filming. Rhaenyra and her half-brother Aegon are currently fighting over the Iron Throne.
“House of the Dragon is back,” says Ryan Condal, who is now the only person in charge of season 2 since Miguel Sapochnik quit. “We are thrilled to be shooting again with members of our original family as well as new talent on both sides of the camera. Soon, all of your favorite characters will be plotting at council meetings, marching with their armies, and riding their dragons into battle. We can’t wait to tell you what’s coming.”
Alan Taylor, who has worked on Game of Thrones before, has already taken over as a director. He serves as an executive producer with Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Loni Peristere, and Vince Gerardis.