The wait is almost over. House of the Dragon - the Game of Thrones prequel - finally premieres in a few hours time.
The 10-episode series, based on George RR Martin's 2018 novel Fire & Blood, is set around 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It will tell the story of the Targaryen civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Game of Thrones, which was based on Martin’s series of epic novels A Song of Ice and Fire and ended in 2019 after eight seasons, won millions of fans around the world with its often brutal storylines and beloved characters. With the first episode of House of the Dragon available to watch in the UK from the early hours of tomorrow (Monday 22 August), many fans are wondering how these older Targaryen’s relate to the ones featured in a Game of Thrones - including Daenerys.
How is Daenerys related to Daemon Targaryen?
The Targaryen family tree is messy - not least because they held themselves above the laws of men and therefore practised incestuous marriage and polygamy. One of the main characters of House of the Dragon is Daemon Targaryen, played by The Crown star Matt Smith.
Daemon is the younger brother of King Viserys I Targaryen, who is played in the series by respected British actor Paddy Considine. Viserys chooses his daughter from his first marriage, Princess Rhaenyra - played by Emma D’Arcy - to succeed him, over Daemon.
But *spoiler alert* Daemon falls in love with his niece, Rhaenyra, and, after the death of their respective spouses, they get married. Daemon goes on to become a prominent supporter of his wife’s claim to the throne during the Dance of the Dragons.
Daemon and Rhaenyra have three children together - Aegon the Younger, Viserys, and the stillborn Visenya. It is through Viserys that Daemon and Daenerys are related - although there are several generations between them. So it is said that Daemon is Daenerys’ distant uncle.
Is Daemon Targaryen a villain?
Daemon Targaryen is known as a fearless warrior and dragonrider. His dragon is called Caraxes and is known as the Blood Wyrm, because of his red scales.
Daemon wields a sword known as Dark Sister, made of Valyrian steel and belonging once to his grandfather's great aunt Visenya Targaryen. He is described as an anti-hero - cunning but also unpredictable and impulsive.
How can I watch House of the Dragon in the UK?
Viewers in the UK can watch House of the Dragon on Sky Atlantic when it is released on Monday, 22 August at 2am BST. It will also be available on the streaming service Now.
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