Draft:House of the Dragon season 1

The first season of the fantasy drama television series House of the Dragon premiered on HBO on August 21, 2022, in the U.S. and concluded on October 23, 2022. It consists of ten episodes, each of approximately 1 hour. The series is based on Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin, adapted for television by Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik.

The first season received highly positive critical reviews, with praise going towards its character development, writing, score, and performances (particularly Considine, Smith, D'Arcy, Alcock, and Cooke). However, the pacing, specifically of the time jumps, and the lighting of some scenes were criticized. The series premiere was watched by over 10 million viewers across the linear channels and HBO Max on the first day, the biggest in HBO's history.

Starring

 * Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen
 * Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
 * Emma D'Arcy as Princess / Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
 * Milly Alcock portrays young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
 * Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower
 * Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon
 * Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
 * Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
 * Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
 * Olivia Cooke as Queen / Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower
 * Emily Carey portrays young Lady / Queen Alicent Hightower
 * Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling
 * Matthew Needham as Lord Larys Strong
 * Jefferson Hall as identical twins Lord Jason Lannister and Ser Tyland Lannister
 * Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon
 * Leo Hart portrays young Jacaerys Velaryon (recurring)
 * Tom Glynn-Carney as Prince / King Aegon II Targaryen
 * Ty Tennant portrays young Prince Aegon Targaryen (recurring)
 * Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen
 * Leo Ashton portrays young Prince Aemond Targaryen (recurring)
 * Phia Saban as Princess / Queen Helaena Targaryen
 * Evie Allen portrays young Princess Helaena Targaryen (recurring)
 * Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen
 * Shani Smethurst portrays young Baela Targaryen (recurring)
 * Phoebe Campbell as Lady Rhaena Targaryen
 * Eva Ossei-Gerning portrays a young Rhaena Targaryen (recurring)

Recurring

 * Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong
 * David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos
 * Bill Paterson as Lord Lyman Beesbury
 * Steffan Rhodri as Lord Hobert Hightower
 * John Macmillan as Ser Laenor Velaryon
 * Theo Nate portrays young Laenor Velaryon
 * Matthew Carver portrays child Laenor Velaryon
 * Nanna Blondell as Lady Laena Velaryon.
 * Savannah Steyn portrays a young Laena Velaryon
 * Nova Foueillis-Mosé portrays child Laena Velaryon
 * Elliott Tittensor as Ser Erryk Cargyll
 * Luke Tittensor as Ser Arryk Cargyll
 * Anthony Flanagan as Ser Steffon Darklyn
 * Max Wrottesley as Ser Lorent Marbrand
 * Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin Strong
 * Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon
 * Kurt Egyiawan as Grand Maester Orwyle
 * Elliot Grihault as Prince Lucerys "Luke" Velaryon
 * Harvey Sadler portrays young Lucerys Velaryon
 * Paul Kennedy as Lord Jasper Wylde
 * Alexis Raben as Talya
 * Paul Hickey as Lord Allun Caswell
 * Phil Daniels as Maester Gerardys

Guests

 * Sian Brooke as Queen Aemma Arryn
 * Michael Carter as King Jaehaerys I Targaryen
 * Garry Cooper as Ser Ryam Redwyne
 * Julian Lewis Jones as Lord Boremund Baratheon
 * Daniel Scott-Smith as Craghas Drahar
 * Solly McLeod as Ser Joffrey Lonmouth
 * Rachel Redford as Lady Rhea Royce
 * Owen Oakeshott as Ser Gerold Royce
 * Arty Froushan as Ser Qarl Correy
 * Dean Nolan as Prince Reggio Haratis
 * Maddie Evans as Dyana
 * Roger Evans as Lord Borros Baratheon
 * Nicholas Jones as Lord Bartimos Celtigar

Casting
Casting began in July 2020. In October 2020, Paddy Considine was cast as Viserys I Targaryen. By December, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy were cast as Alicent Hightower, Daemon Targaryen and Rhaenyra Targaryen. In February 2021, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best and Sonoya Mizuno were added to the main cast. By April, Fabien Frankel joined the cast as Ser Criston Cole. In May, Graham McTavish was spotted on set in full wardrobe. Emily Carey and Milly Alcock were added to the cast in July 2021. . In March and August 2022, more casting announcements were made.

Filming
Principal photography on the ten-episode first season of the series began in April 2021. The series was filmed primarily in the United Kingdom. During the last week of April 2021, filming took place in Cornwall. According to Production List, additionally, parts of the first season were filmed in Spain and California. House of the Dragon was the first production to be shot at Warner Bros. Leavesden Studios' new virtual production stage. On July 18, 2021, production paused for two days because of a positive COVID-19 case.

The Spanish publication Hoy reported that House of the Dragon would be filmed in the Province of Cáceres in western Spain between October 11–21, 2021. From October 26–31, the series was being filmed in Portugal at the Castle of Monsanto. In February 2022, HBO confirmed that House of the Dragon had finished in production.

Release
House of the Dragon premiered on HBO and HBO Max on August 21, 2022.

International broadcast
In New Zealand, the series will be distributed by Sky's SoHo TV channel and Neon streaming service. In India, Disney+ Hotstar is set to distribute the show. In the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the series will air on Sky Atlantic. In Canada, House of the Dragon will be available on Bell Media's Crave streaming service and its HBO linear channel.