Draft:House of the Dragon season 2

House of the Dragon
Season 2
Showrunner	Ryan Condal
Starring	Matt Smith Olivia Cooke Emma D'Arcy Rhys Ifans Steve Toussaint Eve Best Fabien Frankel Matthew Needham Sonoya Mizuno Tom Glynn-Carney Ewan Mitchell Phia Saban Harry Collett Bethany Antonia Phoebe Campbell Jefferson Hall Freddie Fox Gayle Rankin Kurt Egyiawan Abubakar Salim Clinton Liberty Tom Bennett Kieran Bew Tom Taylor Ellora Torchia Simon Russell Beale
No. of episodes	8
Release
Original network	HBO
Original release	June 16 (2024-06-16) – August 4, 2024 (2024-08-04)
Season chronology

The second season of the fantasy drama series House of the Dragon is premiered on June 12, 2024, and consists of eight episodes. Like the first season, it covers the events of the book Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin. The season follows in the aftermath of the first season finale, in which Aegon II Targaryen was planted on the Iron Throne after Viserys' death and Aemond Targaryen accidentally killed Lucerys Velaryon.

The season was ordered on August 26, 2022, five days after the premiere of the series. Miguel Sapochnik, a showrunner on the first season, departed after the season, leaving Ryan Condal as the sole showrunner. The second season was filmed from April to September 2023, filming alongside the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike due to its largely British cast working under British Equity rules.

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
11	1	"A Son for a Son"	Alan Taylor	Ryan Condal	June 16, 2024 (2024-06-16)
At the Wall, Cregan Stark promises Jacaerys Velaryon 2,000 troops for Rhaenyra's forces. Rhaenys, who secured the Velaryons' shipping blockade of the Gullet, refuses Daemon's command to jointly kill Aemond and Vhagar to avenge Luke. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra flies to Storm's End and finds remains of Luke and his dragon Arrax. Upon returning to Dragonstone, she demands revenge on Aemond. Aegon II strives to be a benevolent king, but Otto Hightower, his grandfather and Hand, urges toughness towards the smallfolk to secure war resources, despite the blockade. Aegon brings his precocious young son and heir Jaehaerys to the Small Council for training. Larys exploits Alicent's fears of betrayal. Guilt-ridden over Luke’s death, she asks Otto to wage war sparingly. Having survived the brothel fire, Mysaria arrives at Dragonstone and is arrested for treason. Daemon offers her freedom in exchange for help recruiting two assassins. Sneaking into King's Landing, Daemon bribes a ratcatcher called "Cheese" and a City Watch guard nicknamed "Blood" to kill Aemond. Unable to find Aemond in the Red Keep, the two enter Queen Helaena's quarters and instead murder Jaehaerys. Helaena, clutching Jaehaerys’ twin sister, Jaehaera, escapes to Alicent's chambers, finding her and Criston Cole in bed together.
12	2	"Rhaenyra the Cruel"	Clare Kilner	Sara Hess	June 23, 2024 (2024-06-23)
Prince Jaehaerys' murder causes chaos; King Aegon hastily assembles his Small Council, wanting revenge on Rhaenyra. Ser Otto suggests a public funeral to tarnish Rhaenyra's image. In the procession, a herald chants, "Rhaenyra the Cruel", as Alicent and Helaena receive the people's condolences. City Watch guard Blood is captured; he confesses to Lord Larys that Daemon hired him and his accomplice, an unknown to him ratcatcher. In Dragonstone, Rhaenyra worries her popularity will suffer. Suspecting Daemon ordered Jaehaerys' death if Aemond were absent, Rhaenyra says she no longer trusts him. Daemon then flies to Harrenhal to recruit alliances. Having escaped assassination, Aemond, remorseful over Luke's death, seeks solace at a brothel. Criston orders Arryk to kill Rhaenyra by infiltrating Dragonstone disguised as his twin, Erryk. Rhaenyra grants Mysaria freedom. While departing Dragonstone, Mysaria notices Arryk arriving and notifies a guard. When Arryk enters Rhaenyra's chambers, Erryk bursts in and a fight ensues, ending with Erryk killing his brother. Overcome with grief and unable to prove his identity, Erryk takes his own life. Aegon publicly hangs all ratcatchers, including Cheese, infuriating Otto, who fears a populist revolt. Aegon dismisses Otto as Hand of the King and appoints Criston.
13	3	"The Burning Mill"	Geeta Vasant Patel	David Hancock	June 30, 2024 (2024-06-30)
In the Riverlands, the feuding Brackens and Blackwoods fight a deadly battle over a minor dispute. To avert war, Rhaenys tells Rhaenyra that Alicent may be reasoned with. Criston proposes a bold plan to conquer Harrenhal; Daemon arrives there first, whereupon Ser Simon Strong, the castellan, pledges allegiance. That night, Daemon has a vision of a young Rhaenyra sewing Jaehaerys' severed head onto his body. Daemon awakens and a strange woman foretells his death. Rhaenyra sends Rhaena, her younger children, and dragon eggs to the Arryns to protect the Targaryen line. Mysaria becomes Rhaenyra's adviser, while Aegon makes Larys his Master of Whisperers. At a brothel, a man named Ulf claims he is King Viserys' bastard half-brother; arriving there accompanied by his squires, Aegon encounters Aemond with Sylvi and cruelly mocks him. After Baela, patrolling on Moondancer, spots Criston's squad en route to Harrenhal, Rhaenyra's councilors urge war with dragons. Instead, Rhaenyra sneaks into King's Landing and secretly meets with Alicent but fails to negotiate a peaceful resolution. She realizes Alicent misunderstood King Viserys' dying words about "Aegon" as concerning Alicent's son Aegon II, not Aegon the Conqueror's dreams.
14	4	"The Red Dragon and the Gold"	Alan Taylor	Ryan Condal	July 7, 2024 (2024-07-07)
Daemon dreams that he decapitates a young Rhaenyra, who accused him of treason. Archmaester Orwyle prepares Alicent an abortifacient tea. He professes ignorance when she asks whom Viserys named as heir. Criston beheads Lord Darklyn of Duskendale, who refused allegiance. Alys Rivers tells Daemon that Harrenhal is haunted. Her sleep potion causes him to hallucinate seeing his deceased wife, Laena Velaryon. Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone and agrees to a war using dragons. Rhaenys volunteers herself and her dragon, Meleys. Aegon complains about Aemond and Criston planning battles without him but Alicent dismisses this, saying he, lacking wisdom and knowledge, is inferior to Viserys as a king. She advises that he can best serve the realm by doing nothing and recommends deference to his advisors. Frustrated and drunk, Aegon flies Sunfyre to Rook's Rest. Rhaenys on Meleys burns Criston's troops while Aemond and Vhagar wait to ambush her. When Aegon and Sunfyre approach, Aemond delays attacking. As Meleys mauls Sunfyre, Aemond flies in and Vhagar burns both dragons. Sunfyre falls with Aegon. Rhaenys and Meleys attack Vhagar, who also falls. As Rhaenys circles above, Vhagar suddenly rises and fatally throttles Meleys, plunging Rhaenys to her death. Criston awakens and finds Aemond with his sword drawn near Aegon, who lies motionless next to the heavily wounded Sunfyre.
15	5	"Regent"	Clare Kilner	Ti Mikkel	July 14, 2024 (2024-07-14)
Corlys, Rhaenyra and Baela mourn Rhaenys' death. Criston parades Meleys' head through King's Landing, though the near-starving smallfolk consider it a bad omen. Aegon has survived but is comatose and severely burned, while Sunfyre is near-dead; Criston withholds telling Alicent what truly happened at the battle. Daemon dreams of incest with his mother, who calls him her favorite son. The Small Council reject Alicent's bid as regent and elect Aemond, because he is male and they want a dragonrider on the throne. Aemond orders the city gates shut, preventing blacksmith Hugh Hammer and his family from fleeing. Jeyne Arryn tells Rhaena she wanted a mature dragon for protection rather than two dragon hatchlings. At the Twins, Jace obtains the Freys' allegiance in exchange for Harrenhal. Rhaenyra sends Elinda to King's Landing to spy. Daemon declares he will reign as king once a large enough army is raised; he orders the Blackwoods to ravage the Brackens and forces their fealty. Alys criticizes his ruthlessness and the riverlords denounce his atrocities. Rhaenyra laments lacking riders for Vermithor and Silverwing, the only dragons large enough to challenge Vhagar; Jace suggests searching other noble houses for Valyrian descendants.
16	6	"Smallfolk"	Andrij Parekh	Eileen Shim	July 21, 2024 (2024-07-21)
Jason Lannister leads his army to the Golden Tooth. Aemond refuses vassal Humfrey Lefford's request to fly there and provide support. Aemond wants Tyland Lannister to ally with the Triarchy to break the Velaryon blockade. Aemond orders Criston to march on Harrenhal and dismisses Alicent from the Small Council. Ser Steffon Darklyn, a distant Targaryen descendant, attempts to claim Seasmoke and is incinerated. Daemon continues having disturbing dreams and irrationally believes he is being poisoned. Aemond orders Larys to summon Otto Hightower to court. Aegon, slowly recovering, tells Aemond he remembers nothing about the battle. Gwayne Hightower assures Alicent that her youngest son, Daeron, is kind, unlike his brothers. Corlys appoints Alyn his flagship's first mate. Meanwhile, Alyn's brother, Addam, is pursued by Seasmoke. Mysaria's spies spread rumors that the royals regularly feast while smallfolk starve. Mysaria sends food-laden Targaryen boats to King's Landing. The grateful citizens fight over limited supplies, causing a riot that Alicent and Helaena barely survive. Mysaria tells Rhaenyra that her father sexually abused her and why she is loyal. They passionately kiss. Upon hearing Seasmoke has a new rider, Rhaenyra leaves on Syrax to confront them.
17	7	"The Red Sowing"	Loni Peristere	David Hancock	July 28, 2024 (2024-07-28)
Rhaenyra confronts Addam of Hull, Seasmoke's new rider, who pledges fealty to her. Dismayed at being removed from the Small Council, Alicent retreats to the Kingswood. Larys pushes Grand Maester Orwyle to accelerate Aegon's recovery. While departing the Eyrie with the young princes, Rhaena leaves to find the wild dragon. Mysaria tells Rhaenyra to search for Targaryen dragonseeds (bastards with Valyrian blood) in King's Landing as potential dragonriders. The new Lord Paramount, Oscar Tully, offers Daemon allegiance but denounces his nefarious behavior. He demands Daemon's contrition and to mete out justice for allowing war atrocities; Daemon then executes Willem Blackwood for slaughtering the Brackens. Daemon has another vision of Viserys, who asks if he truly wants the crown and its burden. Jace confronts Rhaenyra, arguing that bastard dragonriders could challenge the Targaryens' power and threaten the succession due to his own illegitimate birth. At Rhaenyra's command, Elinda and Alyn deliver the dragonseeds to Dragonstone, Hugh and Ulf among them. Vermithor kills many until Hugh claims him; meanwhile, Ulf claims Silverwing and flies over King's Landing. Aemond pursues him on Vhagar but nearing Dragonstone, he quickly retreats upon seeing Rhaenyra with Syrax, Vermithor, and Silverwing.
18	8	"The Queen Who Ever Was"	Geeta Vasant Patel	Sara Hess	August 4, 2024 (2024-08-04)
Tyland Lannister allies with the Triarchy, though he must beat Admiral Sharako Lohar in a mud-wrestle first; impressed, Lohar asks him to sire children on her wives. Larys persuades Aegon to sneak off to Braavos where Harrenhal's gold is stashed. Rhaena finds the wild dragon. Gwayne challenges Criston, who regrets the war. Aemond and Vhagar lay waste to Sharp Point. Rhaenyra, who hoped for her dragons to deter war, decides on war. Ulf's rudeness enrages Jace. Corlys renames his flagship "The Queen Who Never Was"; Alyn rebuffs his attempts at reconciliation. Simon tells Rhaenyra that Daemon may be disloyal; she and Addam fly to Harrenhal. Alys leads Daemon to a weirwood tree, where he envisions a future including a white walker and Daenerys Targaryen; seeing himself as part of a larger story, he swears fealty to the newly-arrived Rhaenyra. Aemond wants Helaena to fly Dreamfyre; she and Alicent are unhappy. Helaena tells Aemond he will die, and that killing her will not change that. Aided by Orwyle, Alicent sneaks onto Dragonstone, offering to surrender King's Landing to Rhaenyra, who replies that Aegon must die to ensure the transition. Otto appears in a cage. Soldiers from across Westeros prepare for war.

Cast and characters

• Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen
• Emma D'Arcy as Princess / Queen 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
• Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling
• Matthew Needham as Lord Larys Strong
• Jefferson Hall as identical twins Lord Jason and Ser Tyland Lannister
• Harry Collett as Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon
• Tom Glynn-Carney as King Argon II Targaryen
• Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen
• Phia Saban as Princess / Queen Halaena Targaryen
• Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen
• Phoebe Campbell as Lady Rhaena Targaryen
• Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers
• Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong
• Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower
• Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull

Production

Casting

It is expected that the majority of the cast from the first season returned from the second. On April 24, 2023, Gayle Rankin, Simon Russell Beale, Freddie Fox, and Abubakar Salim were announced to be joing the series as Alys Rivers, Ser Simon Strong, Ser Gwayne Hightower, and Alyn of Hull, respectively.

Filming

Filming began on April 11, 2023, at Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden in Watford, England. By May 18, 2023, filming had commenced in Cáceres, Spain. On July 14, the Screen Actors Guild went on strike, however the largely British cast of House of the Dragon were working under British Equity rules, meaning they were required to complete filming on the series. Filming had wrapped by September 29, over a month before the strike ended on November 9.