HBO has taken us back to Westeros with House of the Dragon, the new prequel series to their smash hit fantasy show Game of Thrones. Set nearly 200 years before the events of the original show, House of the Dragon explores an earlier era when the Targaryen dynasty was at the height of its power, and shows how the family tears itself apart by starting a civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
The events of House of the Dragon season 1 spans over three decades, telling a complex tale of family dynamics and brewing war. If you’re considering watching House of the Dragon, one question you may have is, “do I need to watch Game of Thrones first?”
Should you watch Game of Thrones before House of the Dragon?
The answer to that, in short, is no. Since the prequel is set so far in the past, it features an entirely new cast of characters. There are ties to the original series — we meet character who share surnames with the ones from Game of Thrones, including members of Houses Lannister, Stark, and Baratheon, for example — but on the whole House of the Dragon is its own beast.
That said, knowledge of Game of Thrones will deepen your experience with the prequel, especially in regards to a certain prophecy. The show has a handful of subtle nods to the original series, so there is plenty for the seasoned Thrones fan to pick out. But the actual events of House of the Dragon are so far removed that it is still perfectly watchable and enjoyable without any prior knowledge. Everything you need to know to understand House of the Dragon is laid out in the prequel, without relying on viewers having seen Thrones.
So while it would be recommended to watch Game of Thrones first for the most complete experience, you can also just jump right into the prequel if you want to get up on this new fantasy craze and don’t have time to go through all eight seasons of Thrones first.
Season 1 of House of the Dragon is available to stream on HBO and HBO Max. Season 2 is due to start filming in early 2023.
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