Game of Thrones Prequel House of the Dragon Casts Paddy Considine

The first cast member has been set for the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon in Paddy Considine. Variety reports that Considine (The Outsider, Hot Fuzz, The Bourne Ultimatum) is set to play King Viserys I in the upcoming series, which is set 300 years before the events of the first series.

Viserys was chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the previous king, and ruled the nation for 100 years. He is described as a “warm, kind and decent man,” though his children Rhaenyra and Aeon II would go on to fight the civil war known as the Dance of Dragons over the throne after him, an incident that saw the death of many of the House’s formidable dragons.

The series is created by George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal, and is based on Martin’s Fire & Blood. It will chronicle the rise and the downfall of the Targaryens. Miguel Sapochnik, who will direct the pilot and additional episodes, is co-showrunning with Condal.

The show is expected to premiere in 2022.