Fantasy juggernaut House of the Dragon premieres in Sydney

Three years after its disappointing finale, no one could accuse fans of Game of Thrones of losing interest in the fantasy juggernaut.

Australian actor Ryan Corr. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Three years after its disappointing finale, no one could accuse fans of Game of Thrones of losing interest in the fantasy juggernaut, as hundreds of devotees gathered to celebrate its comeback instalment in Sydney.

With the new blockbuster series set to be unveiled next week, a star-studded line of celebrities, sports stars and actors strode down the red carpet to celebrate its premiere on Tuesday night, with up to a million Australian households expected to watch the first episode on August 22.

House of the Dragon, the long-awaited prequel to Game of Thrones, is set two centuries before the eight-season fantasy drama which centres on the struggle to control the iron throne in the mythical land Westeros.

The blood-soaked original series, which gained notoriety for its political intrigue, nudity and strong female characters, quickly drew a devoted audience for its shock plot twists and internecine struggles between warring families. But audiences were left deflated at the end of the 2019 finale, with both fans and critics describing the last instalment as overworked and underwhelming.

House Of The Dragon_Milly Alcock as Young Rhaenyra, Emily Carey as Young Alicent CREDIT HBO/BINGE

At Tuesday’s premier devoted fans and organisers flaunted medieval tunics and armour, against a backdrop of makeshift battlements, flares and the saga’s dramatic theme music.

For Australian actor Ryan Corr – who auditioned for the series eight times before he was cast – the experience of joining the fantasy series was “humbling and exciting”

“It’s a real departure from the first series. It’s got a different feel and I love that it has a homage to the first series … It takes the groundwork of what Game of Thrones has done before and takes it somewhere else.”

“The world is full of fire as opposed to ice,” he said.

Among the list of guests for the Sydney premiere included Rodger Corser, Sarah Hanson-Young, Matthew Johns, Tim Campbell, Anthony Callea, William Lodder, Mitzi Ruhlmann and Matt Nable.

Australian sensation Milly Alcock, who plays the leading role of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, comes to the series fresh after performing in the Australian TV productions Upright, with comedians Tim Minchin and Janet King, and the Netflix thriller Pine Gap.

In House of the Dragon’s first episode, which was screened at Tuesday’s premiere, her character is pitted against her ruthless uncle, Daemon Targaryen, in a bitter feud over the house of Westeros’s royal succession.

The new series will turn its focus to the blonde-haired, dragon-riding Targaryen clan, whereas the original focused on the northern border dwelling Starks.