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  • TV Review: ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    Matt Smith in 'House of the Dragon' season 2
    Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    Arriving on HBO/Max for a second season with its first episode on June 16th, ‘House of the Dragon’ brings back much that worked about the first, but also comes saddled with some of the faults, including a baked-in issue of too many characters, not all of them interesting.

    Still, thanks to strong performances from Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith in particular, the series still works and will effectively sate those after a weekly trip to Westeros and its sex/battle-happy occupants.

    Related Article: War Has Come to Westeros in the Trailer for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    Does ‘House of the Dragon’ fly for Season 2?

    'House of the Dragon' season 2. Photograph Courtesy of HBO.
    ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph Courtesy of HBO.

    HBO sent the first two episodes of Season 2’s 10-episode run to critics, so our assessment is based simply on those (we won’t, of course, spoil anything that happens in Episode 2). It’s entirely possible that some of our issues will be ironed out by the time the season has concluded, mostly because some of the more annoying characters might end up dragon food (or burned to a crisp or trodden on or… you get the idea).

    Since it largely kicks off directly after the dramatic events of Season 1’s finale (where, don’t forget, Prince Lucerys, played by Elliot Grihault, dies at the jaws of a dragon while engaged in a midair incident that goes badly wrong). With Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) grieving, a retaliatory assassination strikes deep at the heart of Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) family, which causes almost as much trouble for Rhaenyra as her rival, since she never ordered the killing.

    Sticking to much of the same in terms of scheming, cursing and fighting, Season 2 will be a welcome return for many, even if some characters, such as Paddy Considine’s King Viserys Targaryen is as missed by the show as much as any of the characters.

    ‘House of the Dragon’: Script and Direction

    Olivia Cooke and Ewan Mitchell in 'House of the Dragon'.
    (L to R) Olivia Cooke and Ewan Mitchell in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Episode 1, “A Son for a Son”, written by showrunner Ryan J. Condal, carries a lot of weight, though doesn’t feel too burdened by exposition to catch everyone up as to where the characters stand in the wake of the big death at the end of last season. It’s a relatively easy jump back into the story, though some might still want to have a reference tab open on their phone to recall who is loyal to who, and the names of the various children that Rhaenyra and Alicent have brought into the world as part of their plan to take the throne.

    Add to that a variety of aides, supports, hangers-on and side characters, and it’s a hearty stew of characters, some of whom still pop, and others feel like members of a boy band who have wandered in from some other show.

    Visually, the series is still superbly shot –– it’s clear the budget has been upped very slightly, even if a lot of interactions take place in rooms of the various keeps and castles. But with the promise of plenty of carnage to come, the premiere is well directed by Alan Taylor, who knows his way around Westeros and its people.

    ‘House of the Dragon’: Performances

    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    With the focus very much on Alicent and Rhaenyra, it’s only natural that they would get the lion’s (or the dragon’s) share of good material. And we can still trust in Cooke and D’Arcy.

    Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen

    Emma D’Arcy in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Emma D’Arcy in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    D’Arcy brings all their ability to bear on playing Rhaenyra as a driven, but still conflicted woman. She’s mourning, but still able to figure out when people are lying to her, and D’Arcy can wrangle the character to life with just a flicker in their eyes. Their best work so far this season happens when they are verbally sparring with Matt Smith’s Prince Daemon.

    Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen

    Matt Smith in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Smith’s still one of the standouts of the show, fully embracing Daemon’s own inner conflicts. Far from the confident, even cocky character of Season 1, he’s darker and more withdrawn, but still capable of making rash decisions. Smith is great whether he’s riding a dragon or stalking around a room arguing with his niece (D’Arcy).

    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower

    Olivia Cooke in 'House of the Dragon'.
    Olivia Cooke in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    If Cooke hasn’t enjoyed quite the same level of writing so far this season as D’Arcy, she still does and excellent job of conveying Alicent’s heartbreak and frustration, particularly as a woman so close to the throne and yet often denied a voice in this society.

    Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower

    Rhys Ifans in 'House of the Dragon'.
    Rhys Ifans in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Rhys Ifans knows both how to command a room and how to be quietly threatening, and he does both well here. He’s definitely a highlight of the show, hissably plotting in some scenes, understandably worried in others.

    ‘House of the Dragon’: Final Thoughts

    Olivia Cooke and Fabien Frankel in 'House of the Dragon'.
    (L to R) Olivia Cooke and Fabien Frankel in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    It feels churlish to boil the show down to, “it’s more of the same!” but it really is. Though not every issue has been fixed (the kids, though not a fault of the actors, are mostly annoying) and those hoping for epic battles won’t get what they’re after –– yet.

    But with trailers promising big clashes ahead, this is an entertaining setup for the season to come. Does it sometimes try to cram in too much? Still yes, but the balance is becoming smoother.

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘House of the Dragon’?

    Continuing the story adapted from George R.R. Martin’s prequel novel, ‘Fire & Blood’, the show is set 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ and tells the violent story of House Targaryen.

    Season 2 picks up after the fateful events of the first as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) forces go head to head — well, dragon to dragon. But before all-out war, a tense series of tit-for-tat clashes affect both sides.

    Who else is in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    The rest of the returning cast includes Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.

    Fans are also excited to see some new faces, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

    Emma D’Arcy in 'House of the Dragon'.
    Emma D’Arcy in ‘House of the Dragon’. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Other Movies and TV Shows Similar to ‘House of the Dragon’:

    Buy ‘Game of Thrones’ On Amazon

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  • HBO Launches Two New ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Trailers

     

    Preview:

    • Two new trailers have landed for ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’s second season.
    • Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke and Matt Smith are among the returning actors.
    • The new season launches on June 16th on HBO and Max.

    Have you chosen your side yet? No, not in the elections for later this year, this is for something far more important: the civil war that has ripped House Targaryen asunder in ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’.

    HBO has been making sure that we’re all aware that the new season of ‘Dragon’ is headed our way atop a roaring, fire-breathing dragon this coming June (so now might be a good time to buy a flame-retardant TV).

    The new season of the show, which chronicles the internecine chaos that befalls the powerful house years before we meet the ‘Thrones’ characters, promises to be even more full of war and big character speeches than the first.

    And to keep that in our minds, we’re all being asked which side we support by watching one of two new trailers for the show, which feature footage either focused on Olivia Cooke’s Queen Alicent or Emma D’Arcy’s Princess Rhaenyra, both of whom have claims to the throne. Don’t worry; you can watch both if you want to get the full effect.

    Related Article: War Has Come to Westeros in the Trailer for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    What’s the story of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    Tom Glynn-Carney in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Tom Glynn-Carney in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Continuing the story adapted from George R. R. Martin’s prequel novel, ‘Fire & Blood’, the show is set 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ tells the violent story of House Targaryen.

    Season 2 picks up after the fateful events of the first as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) forces go head to head — well, dragon to dragon.

    Alicent believes her son, Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), born of the recently deceased King Aegon is the rightful heir to the big chair. Not so Rhaenyra, who is firmly of the opinion that her late father meant for her to take his place and bring order to Westeros.

    Who else is in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Bethany Antonia and Phoebe Campbell in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    The rest of the returning cast includes Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.

    Fans are also excited to see some new faces, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

    When will ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 be on screens?

    The show touches down for its second season premiere on HBO (and streaming service Max) on June 16th.

    Matt Smith in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.
    Harry Collett, Emma D’Arcy, and Oscar Eskinazi in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Harry Collett, Emma D’Arcy, and Oscar Eskinazi in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.
    Olivia Cooke in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Olivia Cooke in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Phia Saban in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Phia Saban in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Sonoya Mizuno in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    Sonoya Mizuno in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Fabien Frankel and Ewan Mitchell in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Fabien Frankel and Ewan Mitchell in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Steve Toussaint and Eve Best in 'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    (L to R) Steve Toussaint and Eve Best in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    'House of the Dragon' season 2.
    ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph Courtesy of HBO.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘House of the Dragon’:

    Buy ‘Game of Thrones’ On Amazon

     

  • ‘Slow Horses’ Season 3 Interview: Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden

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    Premiering November 29th on Apple TV+ is the third season of the popular spy series ‘Slow Horses,’ which stars Oscar-winner Gary Oldman (‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’), Jack Lowden (‘Dunkirk’), Olivia Cooke (‘Ready Player One’), and Kristin Scott Thomas (‘Only God Forgives’).

    Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden star in Apple TV+'s 'Slow Horses' season 3.
    (L to R) Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden star in Apple TV+’s ‘Slow Horses’ season 3.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden about their work on the third season of ‘Slow Horses,’ having the opportunity to explore their characters over three seasons, and drawing inspiration from the novels the series is based on.

    Gary Oldman in 'Slow Horses' season 3 premiering November 29, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    Gary Oldman in ‘Slow Horses’ season 3 premiering November 29, 2023 on Apple TV+.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Gary, can you talk about the advantages of creating a character for a series verses a movie, and now that you are in your third season, do you feel like you really know who Jackson Lamb truly is?

    Gary Oldman: I think we know who they are, and I think the writers now know who we are. With a feature film, you’ve got an hour and a half, two hours, to tell a story. I think the thing I’ve always actually liked about long form is that you get to really focus on character. We are on the journey with a particular character as it goes along and unfolds. So, I find it very satisfying and very liberating that we can work on a character and tell a story over basically, over six hours, rather than a tight timeframe or two.

    Jack Lowden in 'Slow Horses' season 3 premiering November 29, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    Jack Lowden in ‘Slow Horses’ season 3 premiering November 29, 2023 on Apple TV+.

    MF: Jack, similar question for you. Now after three seasons of ‘Slow Horses’ do you feel like you really know who River Cartwright is or is there still more to explore in future seasons?

    Jack Lowden: I’m still figuring him out for sure. I really do feel that I’m experiencing it along with River because you really don’t know what’s around the corner. He really doesn’t know, and I don’t know what’s around the corner until the scripts land in our inbox and I’ve purposely not read the books past the point that we’re at. But by the end of this whole journey with ‘Slow Horses,’ that could have been a massive mistake. I don’t know. But I’m quite enjoying not knowing and just finding out as I go along. But his character development is quite interesting in going from somebody who thinks quite highly of himself to where I think it’s beginning to unravel ever so slightly, which is probably what someone needs when they’re so insanely arrogant is that he needs to be brought down and I think he’s sort of realizing that. So, it’s a real joy to play him because I don’t really know where he’s going to go.

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘Slow Horses’ Season 3

    Academy Award winner Gary Oldman returns for the third season of 'Slow Horses,' coming to Apple TV+ on Friday, December 1, 2023.
    Academy Award winner Gary Oldman returns for the third season of ‘Slow Horses,’ coming to Apple TV+ on Friday, December 1, 2023.

    MF: Finally, Gary, when first started playing Jackson Lamb, did you draw inspiration from Mick Herron’s novels, or people that you’ve known in your own life, or did you just create the character based on how he was written in the scripts?

    GO: As an actor, I think I like to refer to it as the script is like your map of the world, and if the material is good, then all one must do is just follow all the signposts. I think that often if you’ve got poor material, then you’re just working too hard. If you break a sweat, you’re working too hard. With Mick, he’s created this world and these characters so magnificently. I have just followed Mick’s directions. The character is in the material and in the books. The character is there for you. I have brought, like you do with anything, you bring your own inherent humanity to a part, but it’s out of the imagination of Mick. I just really had to follow the map.

    Jack Lowden returns for the third season of 'Slow Horses,' coming to Apple TV+ on Friday, December 1, 2023.
    Jack Lowden returns for the third season of ‘Slow Horses,’ coming to Apple TV+ on Friday, December 1, 2023.

    What’s the Plot of ‘Slow Horses’ Season 3?

    In Season 3 of ‘Slow Horses’, a romantic liaison in Istanbul threatens to expose a buried MI5 secret in London.

    When Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) and his team of misfits are dragged into the fight, they find themselves caught in a conspiracy that threatens the future not just of Slough House –– but of MI5 itself.

    Who is in the Cast of ‘Slow Horses’ Season 3?

    • Gary Oldman as Jackson Lamb
    • Jack Lowden as River Cartwright
    • Kristin Scott Thomas as Diana Taverner
    • Saskia Reeves as Catherine Standish
    • Olivia Cooke as Sido
    • Jonathan Pryce as David Cartwright
    Gary Oldman in 'Slow Horses' season 3 premiering November 29, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    Gary Oldman in ‘Slow Horses’ season 3 premiering November 29, 2023 on Apple TV+.

    Movies Similar to ‘Slow Horses’:

    Buy Gary Oldman Movies on Amazon

  • First Trailer for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

    Preview:

    • ‘House of the Dragon’ has a first Season 2 trailer online.
    • The ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off follows the war within House Targaryen.
    • The series will be back in the summer.

    If the end of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 1 teased that war was on the way, the trailer for Season 2 confirms that it has well and truly landed on big, scaly legs to roar in our faces.

    The first spin-off from ‘Game of Thrones’ follows the brutal events years before the original series’ storyline and is full of the sort of chaos we’ve come to expect from George R.R. Martin’s fantastical drama.

    And taking advantage of the fact that most of its cast are covered by British acting unions rather than SAG-AFTRA (and that its scripts were written before the WGA industrial action) to shoot during the strikes, the second season is closer to finished than some other shows.

    Which means we can expect plenty of dragon action so soar across our screens next year. Plus, there’s scope for more family in-fighting and weird sexy times.

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘House of the Dragon’

    What’s the story of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    Matt Smith in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Continuing the story adapted from Martin’s prequel novel, ‘Fire & Blood’, the show is set 200 years before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ tells the violent story of House Targaryen.

    Season 2 picks up after the fateful events of the first as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) forces go head to head — well, dragon to dragon. The trailer shows Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) suiting up in his impressive armor, knights on horseback, soldiers burning alive and several of the main characters riding their dragons into battle.

    Who else is in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2?

    Olivia Cooke in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Olivia Cooke in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    The rest of the returning cast includes Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall and Matthew Needham.

    Fans are also excited to see some new faces, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

    When will ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 be on screens?

    Emma D’Arcy in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Emma D’Arcy in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.

    HBO has yet to confirm an actual date, but we do know the show will be back in summer 2024.

    Ewan Mitchell in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Ewan Mitchell in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Steve Toussaint in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    Steve Toussaint in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Rhys Ifans and Olivia Cooke in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy in HBO's 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘House of the Dragon’:

    Buy ‘Game of Thrones’ On Amazon

     

  • ‘Slow Horses’ Season 2 Interviews: Gary Oldman and Saskia Reeves

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    Premiering on Apple TV+ beginning December 2nd is the second season of the popular spy series ‘Slow Horses.’

    The first season followed British MI5 agent River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), who after a botched mission is exiled to Slough House, which is nicknamed “Slow Horses” and is an administrative purgatory for service agents.

    Cartwright and his fellow former agents now perform boring administrative tasks and work for the miserable Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), who expects everyone to quit out of frustration, but the team soon becomes entangled in a dangerous mission at London’s Regent’s Park.

    The second season will revolve around the investigation of a retired Cold War era spy, who is found dead on a bus miles away from where he works or lives.

    In addition to Lowden and Oldman, the cast also includes Kristin Scott Thomas, Saskia Reeves, Olivia Cooke, and Jonathan Pryce.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Gary Oldman and Saskia Reeves about their work on ‘Slow Horses’ season 2, the new plot, how Reeves prepares for her role, and how Catherine and Jackson’s relationship has changed since season one.

    Saskia Reeves and Gary Oldman star in Apple TV+'s 'Slow Horses' season 2.
    (L to R) Saskia Reeves and Gary Oldman star in Apple TV+’s ‘Slow Horses’ season 2.

    You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Oldman, Reeves, and Jack Lowden about ‘Slow Horses’ Season 2.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you both talk about what fans can expect from season 2 of ‘Slow Horses?’

    Gary Oldman: Well, season two begins with a suspicious death, a Cold War era spy, retired ex-spy Dickie Bow is found on a bus miles away from where he works or lives. We are told that he has died from a heart attack.

    Jackson had a relationship with Dickie back in the old days and is suspicious that he died, that it was natural causes and thinks that there’s something a little more mysterious to this death that meets the eye. He gathers his dysfunctional team to really start to investigate.

    Saskia Reeves: He’s known to Catherine as well because they’re part of the same crew as it were years ago. Dickie has a reputation, a very bad reputation. So, there’s all sorts of little clues that bring these two characters together.
    It’s almost like they can’t not get involved, isn’t it? Sometimes when I’m working on this story, I often imagine that we’re not spies, we’re actors. So, it’d be like an actor you worked with in Liverpool 30 years ago or something.

    Saskia Reeves in 'Slow Horses' season 2, premiering December 2, 2022 on Apple TV+.
    Saskia Reeves in ‘Slow Horses’ season 2, premiering December 2, 2022 on Apple TV+.

    GA: When he mysteriously dies you think, “Oh no, there’s something up,” and you want to find out.

    SR: And he got really bad reviews when in fact he was actually quite a good actor. So, I do synonyms. I think, oh, how can I get closer to this material? So, it’s like Jackson and Catherine share a knowledge of him and the history and everything. Then even more history comes up.

    GA: Mind you though, there’s probably a few actors that would come up from the old days and you would say, “Well, okay.”

    MF: Finally, Saskia can you talk about how Catherine and Jackson’s relationship has changed since the first season?

    SR: I mean there’s a definite undertone in the backstory and it actually exists through quite a few of the books written by Mick Herron, and is rumbling in the background in the series, which is great to have as you build the story and the characters. She takes the opportunity to be helpful and get involved, which is great fun to do.

    Gary Oldman in 'Slow Horses' season 2, premiering December 2, 2022 on Apple TV+.
    Gary Oldman in ‘Slow Horses’ season 2, premiering December 2, 2022 on Apple TV+.

  • TV Review: ‘House of the Dragon’

    Emma D’Arcy as "Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen" and Matt Smith as "Prince Daemon Targaryen" in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen” and Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen” in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    ‘House of the Dragon’, which just premiered on HBO and HBO Max, represents an attempt to draw back the ‘Game of Thrones’ faithful to the world of Westeros.

    How you respond to that attempt, will likely be impacted by your reaction to the final couple of seasons of the original show. There are those who enjoyed ‘Game of Thrones’ for its entire run, or those who felt it began to stumble as the end drew nearer, the pace ramped up and decisions had to be made that deviated from novelist George R.R. Martin’s books – especially as the show began to outpace the source material.

    And then there are those who have sworn never to return, claiming disgust at late-hour plot turns such as Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke)’s torching King’s Landing and various armies in her vengeful quest for power.

    This new prequel has something of an uphill batter to reclaim the hearts, minds and eyes of that last group, but for those still open to another round of pass-the-throne, ‘House of the Dragon’ should offer something attractive.

    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    Adapted from Martin’s 2018 tome ‘Fire and Blood’ ‘Dragon’s story is set 170 years before Dany and co. played their own game and kicks off with the crowning of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), who become the heir to the throne mostly because in this medieval-based patriarchy, it is the men who rule, while women are mostly seen as royal baby factories, serving to pump out male heirs.

    Viserys’ sister, Princess Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best), denied her shot at the crown, choose instead to marry into influence with Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and births her own male heir who could factor into the story down the line.

    Our sovereign, meanwhile, has a daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock), but is desperate for a son, at least until tragedy strikes and he begins to think that perhaps his headstrong, dragon-riding daughter might just be the one to rule them all.

    Around this core group orbits any number of other lords, ladies and potential challengers for the king’s seat once he dies. Moving the story forward nine years from its start, we catch up with Rhaenyra and best friend Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), who is the daughter of the King’s loyal right hand man Otto (Rhys Ifans).

    Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans
    (L to R) Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’

    And then there’s the monarch’s troublemaking younger brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen (a strutting, scene-stealing Matt Smith), who no-one in the court can quite figure out how to handle. Given control of the city’s watch, he enacts a brutal scouring of criminals, limbs and heads hacked with wild abandon). Yet he’s also fond of the local brothels, throwing parties full of writhing naked people as his troops celebrate.

    Oh, and he has a slightly creepy affection for his niece. Mostly, though, he’s lazy one moment ambitious the next, convinced that since he’s currently the main heir, that situation won’t change.

    Only the first episode was provided to us, but we do know that the story takes a time jump midway through the first season, as Rhaenyra’s rise to power sees her age up to be played by Emma D’Arcy, while Alicent – moved into her own position of influence at the close of the initial outing – is later played by Olivia Cooke.

    But if this episode is anything to go by, ‘Thrones’ fans needn’t worry too much. ‘House of the Dragon’ has some issues, but it also boasts the expansive world-building of its parent series, and the budget to match. While ‘Thrones’ waited a while for the scaly beasts to reach their full potential, ‘Dragon’ lives up to the name with at least two fully grown examples in the opening salvo.

    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    The world of George R.R. Martin is a brutal one, and ‘Dragon’ is, like its predecessor, unafraid to dive headlong into quite how brutal that can be. A savage clash on the jousting field is crosscut with the bloody birth of Viserys’ latest child, and the violent procedures inflicted on his wife Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke). Show-runners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik (the latter a ‘Thrones’ veteran who also directs here) craft that scene with style and raw intensity.

    Unlike the sprawling ‘Thrones’, which would flit between kingdoms and visit various storylines, ‘Dragon’s focus on a few allows you to get up to speed with who everyone is and what they want (spoiler alert: to rule or just survive). Other houses with names familiar to longtime viewers (Baratheon, say, or Stark) are reduced to cameos.

    Yet that narrowed focus is also part of the problem with the show as not everyone is quite as compelling as perhaps they might be. It’s no dig on Considine, who ably plays Viserys as a man struggling to be as honorable as possible (one of the show’s themes is how hard that is as a choice when you’re a king in a place such as this), but the ruler does sometimes come across as a bit of a wet blanket.

    Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    There are times you’ll cry out for a Tyrion or Jaime Lannister to give the story a little extra wit or spice. Matt Smith can only do so much, and even he is sometimes burdened with petulant sulking in place of character development. The wigs are something of an issue too – you do catch yourself wondering if they spent all the budget on dragon effects or giant sets and had to run out to the local Spirit Halloween store for some of the less-than-luscious locks.

    The limited scope also doesn’t solve the fact that this initial installment has a lot of heavy lifting to do in terms of setting up the plot, which means that aside from one or two of the players here, everyone else gets a quick introduction or check in, coming across more as chess pieces than characters so far.

    Still, this is a worthy start for what shows signs of maturing into a great series, once the story really kicks into gear and we learn the nuances of more than just Viserys, Otto, Alicent, Rhaenyra and Daemon.

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives 3.5 out of 5 stars.

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  • Comic-Con 2022: ‘House Of The Dragon’ Panel

    Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Gary Moyes/HBO.

    ‘Game of Thrones’ was aways one of the shows big enough to break through to the massive Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con.

    So it was not surprising that prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’ came roaring to the con to fill the same cavernous space.

    ‘House of the Dragon’, like its progenitor, is also based on George R.R. Martin’s books, this time the 2018 novel ‘Fire & Blood’, which chronicled the history of House Targaryen, the family seen via Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Thrones’. The series itself comes from Martin, ‘Colony’ co-creator Ryan Condal and ‘Thrones’ show veteran Miguel Sapochnik, who is an executive producer and director.

    The setting here is 200 years before the events chronicled in the original series.

    Emma D’Arcy as "Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen" and Matt Smith as "Prince Daemon Targaryen" in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Emma D’Arcy as “Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen” and Matt Smith as “Prince Daemon Targaryen” in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    ‘Dragon’s team kicked things off with some footage (it doesn’t do to show up at the Con with nothing) and then the panel got into full swing.

    Present were Matt Smith, Steve Toussaint, Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Emma D’Arcy, Emily Carey, co-creator Ryan Condal, Mily Alcock, and Martin. Showrunner Miguel Sapochnik, sadly, was diagnosed with COVID and sent his hello to Hall H through a statement read by D’Arcy.

    One of the highlights of the panel was the presence of several Brits among the cast, which meant that, like the ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ and ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ panels, there were some good jokes flying around.

    Asked what he wanted as a set memento, Paddy Considine had a quick answer. “My knife. I wanted to keep it,” he told the crowd. “Trying to nick one was hard. I thought they’d give me it at the end. If anyone from HBO is listening, give me the fucking knife!”

    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

    He went on to admit he did take something, but wouldn’t specify, since no one had noticed it missing yet. If anyone sees a dragon in the vicinity of Paddy Considine’s house, please call the ASPD (the American Society for the Protection of Dragons).

    Matt Smith, meanwhile, complained about his long, blond wig. “It looks great but it’s a pain in the arse to put on. It takes an hour and a half,” he said. “I’d decree they could dye their hair.”

    With fan questions talking up coffee cups (following the infamous incident where one appeared on screen during ‘Thrones’ final season), Smith assured everyone that they were not banned from set.

    Martin was also god value, owning up to his inspirations – “‘Game of Thrones’ was based on the War of the Roses, this is based on an earlier period called the Anarchy. I pilfer freely from history,” he quipped – while admitting that he had yet to make a cameo on the new show because he’s been a bit busy working on a certain book. “It’s a little late,” he admits of the latest ‘Thrones’ novel.

    Though the new footage screened at the Con hasn’t shown up online, we don’t have too long to wait – ‘House of the Dragon’ launches on HBO on August 21st.

    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.
    Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in 'House of the Dragon.'
    (L to R) Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey as Young Alicent in ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO.

  • New Trailer for ‘House of the Dragon’ Lands

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    If you were a big fan of ‘Game of Thrones’ but spent your time watching it hoping for more dragons, ‘House of the Dragon’ is looking to fill your needs.

    And, of course, it’ll also feature lots of the political infighting (and literal fighting) we’ve come to expect from ‘Thrones’ – especially since it sees a civil war kick off.

    House of the Dragon’, like its progenitor, is also based on George R.R. Martin’s books, this time the 2018 novel ‘Fire & Blood’, which chronicled the history of House Targaryen, the family seen via Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Thrones’. The series itself comes from Martin, ‘Colony’ co-creator Ryan Condal and ‘Thrones’ show veteran Miguel Sapochnik, who is an executive producer and director.

    The setting here is 200 years before the events chronicled in the original series.

    Paddy Considine stars as King Viserys Targaryen, chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen. A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy. But good men do not necessarily make for great kings.

    Matt Smith, most recently seen in ‘Morbius’, is Prince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon.

    Matt Smith in 'House of the Dragon.'
    Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen in HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’

    Eve Best has the role of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Queen Who Never Was” was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favored her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.

    Rhys Ifans plays Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.

    Olivia Cooke appears as Alicent Hightower, Otto’s daughter, and the most beautiful 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.

    Emma D’Arcy’s Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child, is of pure Valyrian blood, and a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man, which is a disadvantage in the patriarchal world of ‘Thrones’ and even more so in ‘Dragon’. We’ve a feeling she’ll still be powerful, though.

    Steve Toussaint’s Velaryon is “The Sea Snake.” Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

    Sonoya Mizuno plays Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall. She could have wilted… but instead she rose to become the most trusted – and most unlikely – ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

    This new trailer is full of action, throne-envy and, of course, dragons. ‘House of the Dragon’ will be on HBO from August 21st. Before that, the series will have a panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, so keep an eye out for our coverage.

    HBO Max's 'House of the Dragon.' Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.
    HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.

  • Latest ‘House of the Dragon’ Poster

    HBO Max's 'House of the Dragon.' Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.
    HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.

    Last month, we got our first proper look at HBO’s initial ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-off, prequel series ‘House of the Dragon’ via its first teaser. Aiming to keep the show in our minds (not that we needed too much prodding), HBO has now released a new poster, which puts Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen front and center, backed by a dragon for good measure, since the series is not called ‘House of the Poodle.’

    ‘House of the Dragon’, like its progenitor, is also based on George R. R. Martin’s books, this time the 2018 novel ‘Fire & Blood’, which chronicled the history of House Targaryen, the family seen via Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Thrones’. The series itself comes from Martin, ‘Colony’ co-creator Ryan Condal and ‘Thrones’ show veteran Miguel Sapochnik, who is an executive producer and director.

    The setting here is 200 years before the events chronicled in the original show albeit with some very familiar jockeying for power.

    Paddy Considine stars as King Viserys Targaryen, chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen. A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy. But good men do not necessarily make for great kings.

    Matt Smith, most recently seen in ‘Morbius’, is Prince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon.

    Eve Best has the role of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Queen Who Never Was” was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favored her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.

    HBO Max's 'House of the Dragon.' Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.
    HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.

    Rhys Ifans plays Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne.

    Olivia Cooke appears as Alicent Hightower, Otto’s daughter, and the most beautiful 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.

    D’Arcy’s Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the king’s first-born child, is of pure Valyrian blood, and a dragonrider. Many would say that Rhaenyra was born with everything… but she was not born a man, which is a disadvantage in the patriarchal world of ‘Thrones’ and even more so in ‘Dragon’. We’ve a feeling she’ll still be powerful, though.

    Toussaint’s Velaryon is “The Sea Snake.” Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

    Sonoya Mizuno plays Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall. She could have wilted… but instead she rose to become the most trusted – and most unlikely – ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

    If you’ve been anticipating more ‘Thrones’ action and got frustrated by the lack of forward progress on the spin-off front, ‘House of the Dragon’ should help fill that void.

    ‘House of the Dragon’ starts on HBO Max on August 21st.

    HBO Max's 'House of the Dragon.' Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.
    HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.

  • New ‘House of the Dragon’ Teaser Trailer

    Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans
    (L to R) Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in HBO Max’s ‘House of the Dragon.’

    “What is this brief, mortal life… If not the pursuit of legacy?” So says Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) in the opening moments of the new teaser for ‘House of the Dragon’.

    And given that this is the prequel series to one of the biggest TV shows of all time, you’d forgive the creators (which include George R.R. Martin, from whose novels ‘Game of Thrones’, that aforementioned TV show, sprang) for having legacy on their mind too.

    Having spent a fraction under $20 million per episode on this first season of ‘Dragon’, the new series is a gamble, even if following ‘Thrones’ might be a slightly safer bet than some others.

    But there’s also that giant fanbase, who devoured every moment of ‘Thrones’ and who ended up having big issues with the final season of the series, to please, which is always on the mind.

    ‘House of the Dragon’, like its progenitor, is also based on Martin’s books, this time the 2018 novel ‘Fire & Blood’, which chronicled the history of House Targaryen, the family seen via Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Thrones’.

    This time, though, the setting is 200 years before the events chronicled in that show, albeit with some very familiar jockeying for power.

    Paddy Considine stars as King Viserys Targaryen, chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen. A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy. But good men do not necessarily make for great kings. Matt Smith, most recently seen in ‘Morbius’, is Prince Daemon Targaryen, younger brother to King Viserys and heir to the throne. A peerless warrior and a dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon.

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    Eve Best has the role of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, a dragonrider and wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, “The Queen Who Never Was” was passed over as heir to the throne at the Great Council because the realm favored her cousin, Viserys, simply for being male.

    ‘The King’s Man’s Rhys Ifans plays Otto Hightower. The Hand of the King, Ser Otto loyally and faithfully serves both his king and his realm. As the Hand sees it, the greatest threat to the realm is the king’s brother, Daemon, and his position as heir to the throne. Olivia Cooke appears as Alicent Hightower, Otto’s daughter, and the most beautiful 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.

    Emma D’Arcy portrays Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, 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.

    Toussaint’s Velaryon is “The Sea Snake.” Lord of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as House Targaryen. As the most famed nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros, Lord Corlys built his house into a powerful seat that is even richer than the Lannisters and that claims the largest navy in the world.

    Sonoya Mizuno plays Mysaria, who came to Westeros with nothing, sold more times than she can recall. She could have wilted… but instead she rose to become the most trusted – and most unlikely – ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir to the throne.

    As the title (and this teaser) suggests, we can expect a lot more dragon action (where do you think a chunk of that hefty budget goes?) and all the political wrangling you might hope for.

    This new show comes from Martin, ‘Colony’ co-creator Ryan Condal and ‘Thrones’ show veteran Miguel Sapochnik, who is an executive producer and director here.

    ‘House of the Dragon’ starts on HBO Max on August 21st.

    'House of the Dragon' poster
    ‘House of the Dragon’ is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max beginning August 21st.