THE first episode of the long anticipated House of the Dragons season two has finally been released with child Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen already being killed.
Here we look at the circumstances around his gory death.
In the “A Son for a Son” opening episode, Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen was killed by two assassins known as Blood and Cheese.
Blood got his name after they were said to have been condemned by the City Watch for being too violent.
Cheese was given his nickname due to his job as a royal ratcatcher.
In a chilling opening episode, the six-year-old boy was ruthlessly murdered in a revenge plot over the death of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s son in season one
After a tense episode, the killers attempt to track down Aemond – the man responsible for the death of Lucerys at the end of season one.
Instead of finding Aemond, the assassins find the son of King Aegon II – Jaehaerys, 6, and his sister-wife Helaena.
Holding them at knife point, Blood and Cheese then commit a gruesome murder on Jaehaerys by cutting his head off as he lays in bed.
The TV series closely follows the novels by George R. R. Martin dubbed Fire & Blood, the A Song of Ice and Fire which House of the Dragon is inspired by.
Rhaenyra Targaryen wasn’t aware of Blood and Cheese’s murder plot but she did order Aemond to be found.
Episode one opens with a heartbroken Rhaenyra Targaryen grieving the death of her son Lucerys at the end of the first season.
She speaks with the council at Dragonstone and tells them: “I want Aemond Targaryen.”
Her partner Daemon then orders Blood and Cheese to hunt down Aemond inside the Red Keep.
The name of the episode “A Son for a Son” comes from the idea that as Lucerys was murdered another child was also taken away to make up for the loss and pain suffered.
The epic second season of the Game Of Thrones prequel is available to watch on Sky Atlantic.
Episode one aired at 2am on Sunday night and is available on demand, or you can watch it in full again at 9pm tonight.
They are also available via a Now TV subscription.
Eight new episodes are set to air each week between June 16 to the finale on August 4.
Makers HBO have already green lit a third series, which stars Brit talent including Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke and Emma D’Arcy.
As a prequel, the story in House of the Dragon takes place around 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
The plot of House of the Dragon portrays the decline of House Targaryen.
This bloodline was most notably represented in Game of Thrones by Daenerys Targaryen – portrayed by Emilia Clarke – a lead character throughout the show’s run.
Central figures in House of the Dragon’s first series include King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), as well as his younger brother Prince Daemon Targaryen (played by former Doctor Who star Matt Smith).
A prequel to smash-hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon premiered in August 2022. The show features an ensemble cast playing characters in the fictional setting of Westeros. Let's take a look at some of the famous faces in House of the Dragon.
Paddy Considine: Actor, director and screenwriter Paddy received the role of King Viserys I Targaryen in House of the Dragon and led the ensemble in sesason one. Paddy’s film credits include Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, while his other TV work ranges from Peaky Blinders, The Outsider and The Third Day. He is also known for his collaborations with director Shane Meadows.
Matt Smith: Matt became the youngest ever actor to play Doctor Who, when he nabbed the role as a 29-year-old in 2009. Now a few years removed from the beloved BBC show, he is now playing the unpredictable Prince Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Matt also starred as Prince Philip in The Crown, receiving a Primetime Emmy award nomination for his performance.
Olivia Cooke: From Oldham in Greater Manchester, Olivia Cooke has enjoyed success on both sides of the pond. She had a starring role as Emma Decody in Bates Motel from 2013 to 2017. Prior to starring as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, Olivia also appeared in period drama Vanity Fair and the sci-fi film Ready Player One, which was directed by Steven Spielberg.
Rhys Ifans: Before playing Ser Otto Hightower, Rhys Ifans was no stranger to blockbuster franchises. He’s played Xenophilius Lovegood in Harry Potter and Marvel Comics villain Dr Curt Connors/Lizard. He portrayed Mycroft Holmes in CBS series Elementary. Rhys also starred in films such as Notting Hill, Kevin & Perry Go Large and Enduring Love.
Emma D’Arcy: Before landing the role of Princess/Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Emma had appeared as a main cast member in Wanderlust and Truth Seekers. Their film credits include 2020’s Misbehaviour opposite a cast including Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Kinnear, Keeley Hawes, Jessie Buckley, Phyllis Logan and Lesley Manville.
