House of the Dragon season 2 complete season guide: how to watch and everything to know

Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2
Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in one of our first-look images from the new season. (Image credit: HBO/Sky)

House of the Dragon season 2 has arrived, taking us deeper into the war between the Blacks and the Greens.

House of the Dragon season 1 delivered everything Game of Thrones and fantasy fans could want from the show: politicking, brutal deaths, tense rivalries, and fearsome dragons. Having met our main stars and witnessed friendships being broken and scraps being fought, the stage is now properly set for a bloody conflict. 

With season 2 wrapped up, find all the info you need on House of the Dragon season 2.

How to watch House of the Dragon season 2 

House of the Dragon season 2 is not available to watch entirely on-demand. For US viewers, it is available exclusively on Max. For those in the UK, the show is streaming on Sky Go and NOW TV.

House of the Dragon season 2 recaps

House of the Dragon season 2 plot

After House of the Dragon season 1 introduced us to the main characters and took course over many years, the table for season 2 was truly set in the final episode.

Following the death of King Viserys, his wife Alicent misconstrued his final words and believes that he wanted their son Aegon II to become king over Viserys' daughter Rhaenyra, Alicent's former friend now rival. This puts chaos into motion as each side — the Blacks, loyal to Rhaenyra, and the Greens, loyal to Alicent.

As the two sides try to secure their position by bringing other strong houses to their side, Rhaenyra's son Lucerys was sent to meet with House Baratheon. However, he was met their by his cousin, Alicent's son Aemond. When attempting to leave, Aemond taunts Lucerys as they both ride their dragon, but things get out of hand and Aemond loses control of his dragon, Vhagar, who winds up killing Lucerys. 

While the act may have been inadvertent, it will lead to a now inevitable war between the two sides for control of Westeros.

How many episodes will House of the Dragon season 2 have?

Deadline has reported that House of the Dragon season 2 will be a shorter season than the first. According to their report, we'll only be getting eight episodes in the show's sophomore season.

However, House of the Dragon season 3 has already been confirmed, so we know there is still more story to tell with this series.

House of the Dragon season 2 cast

Matt Smith in armor as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2

Matt Smith in House of the Dragon (Image credit: HBO/Sky)

All the major players who survived House of the Dragon's first season will be making their return. Here's a quick reminder of who is playing who and their affiliation:

  • Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Black)
  • Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen (Black)
  • Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower (Green)
  • Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen (Black)
  • Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon (Black)
  • Fabien Frankel as Cirston Cole (Green)
  • Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen (Green)
  • Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen (Green)
  • Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria (TBD)
  • Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower (Green)
  • Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon (Black)
  • Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen (Black)
  • Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen (Black)
  • Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen (Green)
  • Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister (Green)
  • Matthew Needham as Larys Strong (Green)

There are also a number of new cast members joining the show in season 2. Here is a rundown of who you need to know:

  • Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull 
  • Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers
  • Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower
  • Simon Russell Beale as Simon Strong, 
  • Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull
  • Jamie Kenna as Alfred Broome 
  • Kieran Bew as Hugh
  • Tom Bennett as Ulf 
  • Tom Taylor as Cregan Stark 
  • Vincent Regan as Rickard Thorne

House of the Dragon season 2 trailer

Yep, there's tons! The latest trailer teases all the drama soon to come our way. It features tons of dragons, battles and looks forward to the inevitable war that's on its way. And it looks like there might be some tension between Rhaenyra and Daemon; does he see her as capable of uniting the realm? Here's the trailer

House of the Dragon Season 2 | Official Trailer | Max - YouTube House of the Dragon Season 2 | Official Trailer | Max - YouTube
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On March 21, HBO released two new trailers for the series, inviting us to pick our preferred side in the war. The two trailers are themed around the Greens and Blacks, each showing what is to come for their respective factions. You can find them both below: 

House of the Dragon | Official Black Trailer | Max - YouTube House of the Dragon | Official Black Trailer | Max - YouTube
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House of the Dragon | Official Green Trailer | Max - YouTube House of the Dragon | Official Green Trailer | Max - YouTube
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Below, you can find a previous teaser for the series that set the stakes and showcased the massing military might of the two factions. 

Towards the end, Rhaenys warns that there's 'no war so bloody as a war between dragons', and the trailer proves this, erupting into brutal conflict towards the climax. 

House of the Dragon Season 2 | Official Teaser | Max - YouTube House of the Dragon Season 2 | Official Teaser | Max - YouTube
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Martin Shore
Staff Writer at WhatToWatch.com

Martin was a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produced a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. Now he works for our sister site Tom's Guide in the same role.

Some of his favorite shows are What We Do In The Shadows, Bridgerton, Gangs of London, The Witcher, Doctor Who, and Ghosts. When he’s not watching TV or at the movies, Martin’s probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.