Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2.Photo:Theo Whiteman/HBO
Theo Whiteman/HBO
War is brewing in Westeros — andHouse of the Dragonfans are being asked to choose a side.
On Thursday, Max released two, dueling trailers in anticipation of the upcoming second season ofHouse of the Dragon, confirming a June 16 premiere date. The “Black trailer” is in support of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) as she tries to reclaim the throne from her half-brother King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), while the “Green trailer” pledges its allegiance to the young king and the Hightowers.
Although two perspectives unfold in the previews — as stars D’Arcy, 31, and Glynn-Carney, 29 tease at the beginning of the clips — they both prove that a brutal, bloody war between the Targaryens and the Hightowers is imminent in theGame of Thronesprequel’s forthcoming season.
“I mean to fight this war and win it,” she adds pointedly.
Rhaenyra’s husband Daemon (Matt Smith) also plainly states the Targaryens' intentions against their enemies. He says, “Our terms are very simple: Renounce the false king and bend the knee to the queen or your house burns.”
The “Green trailer,” meanwhile reveals that Aegon, his mother Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and the Hightowers, will stop at nothing to help maintain his position of power.
“Only weeks ago, my lord husband was alive and the realm was at peace,” says a voiceover from Cooke, 30, as the camera pans through a dark castle. “On his death bed, he knew the realm would never accept a queen. Rhaenyra’s supporters will believe what they wish, but Viserys wanted Aegon to succeed.”
While Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) accuses the Targaryens of being out only “for satisfaction of vengeance,” Aegon fully commits to battle. “Plot against the king and I will pay it back a hundred times over. I’m as fearsome as any of them,” he says, appearing smug and eager to fight throughout the clip.
Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in season 2 of ‘House of the Dragon’.Theo Whiteman/HBO
The trailers arrived several weeks after Max announced in early March that the Emmy-winning series isset to return in June. At the time, no specific release date was given, but the two previews revealed that fans will be able to tune into the premiere on June 16.
Afirst-look teaseralso dropped in December of last year. The clip appeared to follow the events of theseason 1 finale, which saw tensions between former best friends Rhaenyra and Alicent reach a crescendo.
In theclip, Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) warns Rhaenyra what is to come. “There is no war so hateful to the Gods as a war between kin,” she says over battlefield shots. “And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.”
Alicent also shares her harsh perspective on the impending conflict, stating, “The war will be fought, many will die, and the victor will eventually ascend the throne.”
Steve Toussaint and Eve Best in season 2 of ‘House of the Dragon’.Ollie Upton/HBO
Ollie Upton/HBO
The forthcoming season ofHouse of the Dragonis set to resume following the tragic — and war-igniting — death of Rhaenyra’s son, Prince Lucerys “Luke” Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), at the hands of Alicent’s son Prince Aemond (Ewan Mitchell).
The show — which tells the story of the fall of the house of Targaryen, roughly 200 years before the events ofGame of Thrones —became an instant hitwhen it debuted in fall 2022. It earned HBO its biggest series premiere ever, garnering 9.99 million viewers across HBO and Max, and wasgreenlit for season 2before the second episode even aired.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Season 1 ofHouse of the Dragonis streaming in full on Max.
source: people.com
