Matt Smith, ‘Banshee’ Executive Producer Greg Yaitanes, And More Join ‘House Of The Dragon’

Matt Smith will always remember the time he was in Westeros.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the former Doctor Who star has joined the cast of HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon. Based on a concept by George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal — and the history Martin outlined in the Song of Ice and Fire companion book, Blood and Fire — the series tells the story of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), the first of his name, as he ascends to the Iron Throne. Described as “warm, kind, and decent man” his position in the realm and his Targaryen blood still means he is capable of appalling acts. Just look at what his descendant, Daenerys Stormborn, became when she arrived in King’s Landing atop her dragon.

Smith joins Considine and fellow new castmembers Olivia Cooke and Emma D’Arcy. Cooke will play Alicent Hightower, the current Hand of the King’s daughter. Described as “the most comely woman in the Seven Kingdoms,” she has spent most of her life in the Red Keep and is quite familiar with courtly intrigues. D’Arcy takes on the key role of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, King Viserys’s first born child. Accomplished in commanding her dragon and white of hair, she would be Viserys’s successor were she not a woman. Smith will play the King’s younger brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen, the heir apparent should Viserys never produce a son. Described as “a peerless warrior and a dragonrider,” it remains to be seen if he will be a Targaryen of virtue or succumb to the noble house’s propensity for madness.

And in news that will thrill fan of Cinemax’s action series Banshee, Greg Yaitanes has joined the series as a co-executive producer. He will also direct episodes of the program, which suggests the series will definitely feature some visceral action. Snowpiercer‘s Clare Kilner and The Witcher‘s Geeta V. Patel will also direct episodes.

House of the Dragon is set to premiere on HBO sometime in 2022.