Fabien Frankel (The Serpent) has been tapped to join the ensemble cast of HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon. He is set to portray the key role of Ser Criston Cole, a member of King Viserys I Targaryen’s Kingsguard. Interestingly, Frankel’s first feature acting project was 2019’s Last Christmas, where he appeared alongside Game of Thrones alum Emilia Clarke, who famously played the role of Daenerys Targaryen.
According to author George R.R. Martin, the character is the common-born son of the steward to the Lord of Blackhaven. He has no claim to lands or titles. All he has to his name is his honor and his preternatural skill with a sword. Martin also went onto described Ser Criston Col as a challenger, a champion, cheered by the commons, a breaker of hearts and a maker of kings.
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Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon chronicles the rise and the downfall of the Targaryens, who is the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. It will take place 300 years before the events of the award-winning series adaptation of Game of Thrones which aired its final episode nearly two years ago.
Pick up your copy of Fire & Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones here!
The 10-episode series will star Paddy Considine as King Viserys I, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. It will also feature Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Velaryon, and Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria.
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House of the Dragon is created by George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal (Colony). Miguel Sapochnik has also signed on to direct the pilot and additional episodes of the series. Sapochnik and Condal are also set as co-showrunners of the prequel. Martin, Sapochnik, Condal, Vince Gerardis, and Sara Lee Hess will executive produce. The series is eyeing a 2022 debut.
