House of the Dragon fans say season two has delivered the show’s ‘strongest’ episode following its latest instalment. Airing now on Sky Atlantic, the hit fantasy drama is based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood and set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, during a period when the Targaryen dynasty ruled over the Seven Kingdoms.
In the latest episode, a devastating tragedy rips through the Hightower faction, forcing the Council to think fast about how it could be used to their advantage. Released three years after Thrones’ final season, House of the Dragon has proved another big hit for HBO, winning the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama after its first season and boasting a 91 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score.
After nearly two years off screens, the series is back for its hotly-anticipated second run. Days before the season two premiere, HBO announced House of the Dragon has been renewed for a third season, with the network’s head of drama Francesca Orsi hailing its latest run as ‘spectacular’.
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House of the Dragon season two is available on-demand exclusively on Sky Atlantic, which is included alongside a £96 saving on Sky’s Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle for £22 a month, down from £26. Shoppers can also bag the 4K QLED Sky Glass smart TV and Netflix package from £14 after three months free.
This bundle includes a 43" Sky Glass TV with more than 150 Sky channels and Netflix built-in for £14 a month when taken with the Sky Stream and Netflix plan for £26. Shoppers can also opt for larger TVs like the 65" Sky Glass model with TV and Netflix from £24.
Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription to Sky Stream members, which saves £119.76 over 24 months.
Sky Stream lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon season two sees the return of stars Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Prince Daemon Targaryen respectively. Slow Horses star Olivia Cooke reprises her role as Alicent Hightower alongside Notting Hill’s Rhys Ifans as her father Otto Hightowern while Tom Glynn-Carney reprises his role as King Aegon Targaryen.
Ewan Mitchell returns as Prince Aemond Targaryen with Nurse Jackie’s Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Joining the cast in season two is English actor and The Bay star Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
Early reviews ahead of the second season were overwhelmingly positive, earning a raft of four and five-star reviews from critics. General audiences have been equally impressed with the show’s latest instalment, with many fans taking to social media since episode two aired on Monday (June 24) calling for the cast to win awards for their ‘acting masterclass’.
Writing on X, @EvanMonroe12 said: “Okay, I loved House of the Dragon already. But season two episode two just upped the ante. The music, the cinematography, and my God the acting… it’s all top notch.”
@heathen_king said: “That might’ve been the strongest episode of House of the Dragon thus far. Really picking up steam, but it was all people talking in rooms, schemes within schemes, sins and shame. The acting was incredible.”
@LumberjackRy said: “The acting in episode two is honestly the best acting I’ve ever seen in TV history. This is going to be an Emmy award winning episode. Every actor deserves awards here.”
@Johnny_Nil said: “Great. Great. Great. Acting masterclass by everyone involved. This show continues to distance itself from GoT as its own identity. Impressive cinematography. Beautiful music and the tension this season is palpable. Love it.”
@Metcoofer said: “Episode two was brilliant. I have zero criticism, just a deep appreciation for how incredible this show is. I am so very excited to see where this goes.”
House of the Dragon season two is airing now on Sky Atlantic.
Alternatively, a host of new shows are streaming on Amazon’s Prime Video, including season four of The Boys and post-apocalyptic action-adventure Fallout, both of which can be streamed free with an Amazon Prime 30-day trial.