House of the Dragon is a fantasy drama series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO, serving as a prequel to Game of Thrones and based on Martin's book Fire & Blood, set roughly 200 years before the original series. The show chronicles the decline of House Targaryen and the devastating civil war known as the "Dance of the Dragons," featuring an ensemble cast including Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, and Emma D'Arcy, whose character Rhaenyra fights for the throne against her half-brother Aegon after her step-mother Alicent usurps it. Premiering on August 21, 2022, the series saw its second season debut on June 16, 2024, followed by a third on June 21, 2026, with a fourth and final season expected in 2028. The showrunners shifted from Condal and Miguel Sapochnik to Condal alone after the first season, and the series was renewed for a second season just five days after its premiere. The premiere broke HBO records with over 10 million viewers on its first day, and the series has earned critical praise, winning a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama and receiving multiple Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series. It also won three British Academy Television Craft Awards, solidifying its status as a major television success.