After Game of Thrones came to an end in 2019, avid fans of the hit show don't have to wait long for the launch of its long-awaited spinoff - House of the Dragon. Following the Targaryen dynasty at the height of its power, House of the Dragon leads viewers on an adventurous journey full of political intrigue and secret tales. The prequel series' first episode was released on August 21, sparking excitement with its large ensemble consisting of both big names and lesser-known stars. If you are wondering where you have seen the cast before, here are the most prominent shows and movies the actors have appeared in before joining the fantasy world.

Joining the world of Westeros, veteran actor Paddy Considine plays the mighty King Viserys Targaryen I. His figure has been described by HBO as a 'good man', which makes him a stark contrast to the Game of Thrones character who later bears his name.

Born on September 5, 1973, in the UK, Paddy Considine is a Hollywood actor who has won 2 British Film Academy Awards. Considine has risen to stardom through a myriad of different television shows, films, as well as theatrical plays. He starred as Simon Ross in the Bourne franchise, not to mention his roles in many other hit films including Macbeth (Banquo), The Death of Stalin (Comrade Andreyev), and How to Build A Girl (Pat Morrigan). Turning to television, the actor has been in miniseries such as The Outsider (Claude Bolton/The Outsider) and The Third Day (Mr. Martin).

Scottish actor Bill Paterson portrays Lord Lyman in the Game of Thrones prequel series. An ally of the Hightowers and the Master of Coin under King Viserys' ruling, the figure played by Paterson is expected to wield significant power in House of Dragon.

Outside of the fantasy world, Paterson has had a glittering and varied career in both television and films. His on-screen career began in the early 1970s, and he has since become a mainstay of British TV. The Scot actor has appeared in several shows such as Traffik, Shrinks, had Times, Outlander, and Good Omens. His film credits include supporting roles in The Witches, Love Sarah, and Spice World.

English actress Olivia Cooke portrays Alicent Hightower, the second wife of King Viserys Targaryen. The daughter of Ser Otto Hightower (the Hand of the King), Alicent is a force to be reckoned with thanks to her intellectual and determination.

Born on December 27, 1993, Olivia Cooke rose to fame with her role in A&E’s Bates Motel as Emma Decody and in Vanity Fair as Becky Sharp in 2018. Cooke also partook in Stephen Spielberg’s Ready Player One as Samantha Cooked/Art3mis and Naked Singularity as Leah. The role as MI5 Agent Sidonie Baker in Slow Horses was her first debut on AppleTV+.

Rising star Emmy D'Arcy will mark her HBO debut as Princess Rhaenyra, the daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen. Relatively new to the acting scene, D'Arcy's role in the House of the Dragon is expected to catapult her into the limelight.

Born on June 27, 1992, Emmy D’Arcy is quite a new face to the acting industry as she only began her professional career in 2015. Her most memorable roles were in Amazon Original’s Truth Seekers (Astrid) and BBC-Netflix Wanderlust (Naomi Richards), whose popularity has brought her the closest to the audiences.

British actor Matt Smith plays the character of dragon-rider Daemon Targaryen, the prince who has the claim to the Iron Throne. His insatiable desire for power is the root of all the political chaos that takes place in the House of the Dragon.

Matt Smith was born on October 28, 1982, and compared to his fellow actresses and actors, he is considered to be one of the most popular British entertainers. Smith rose to prominence by acting in BBC’s well-known series Doctor Who as the 11th Incarnation of the Doctor and in Netflix’s show The Crown (Prince Philip), which won him an Emmy. Other movies that he has featured are Terminator, and Marvel’s Morbius, to name a few.

Veteran actor Rhys Ifans will play Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King in the world of Westeros. A close ally of King Viserys Targaryen and a long-serving royal member, Ifans' character has mysterious political desires, using his own daughter (Alicent Hightower) as the king's bait.

Born on July 22, 1967, Rhys Ifans has an impressive portfolio of films under his belt. The BAFTA-nominated Welsh actor has starred as Spike in Notting Hill, Jed in Enduring Love, the supervillain Dr. Curt Connors (aka Lizard) in The Amazing Spider-Man (and also reappearing in the role of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021), and Grigori Rasputin in The King’s Man. Besides House of the Dragon, he also participated in another fantasy-themed movie - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Steve Toussaint plays the character of Lord Corlys Valeryon, an enigmatic figure in the House of the Dragon. Considered the best sea captain in the realm of Westeros, The Sea Snake (as he is referred to) will play a significant role in the fantasy series.

Born on March 22, 1965, Toussaint has performed in a variety of films and television series, some of which have left a deep impression on the fans including CSI: Miami (2007-2008), Skins (2010), Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2010), Doctor Who (2020), Red, White, and Blue (2020), and It’s A Sin (2021). Although he has not had great popularity compared to what he has devoted, his role in House of the Dragon is believed to make him a household name.

In the world of Westeros, Frankel plays the common-born Ser Criston Cole, the captain of the Kingsguard protecting King Viserys Targaryen. The Thrones prequel will also explore his complicated relationship with the King’s daughter, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Born on April 6, 1994, Fabien Frankel may not have as impressive an acting record as other people in the same generation, but he is deemed to be a potential and professional actor in this industry. His popularity has increased in recent years following acclaimed roles in the TV movie NYPD Blue as Theo Sipowicz and the miniseries The Serpent as Dominique Renelleau.

Japanese-born British actress Sonoya Mizuno plays Mysaria, a supporting character which HBO describes as 'the most trusted — and most unlikely — ally of Prince Daemon Targaryen'.

Born on July 1, 1986, Sonoya Mizuno has a long and varied career in both acting and ballerina. Best known for her various collaborations with sci-fi auteur Alex Garland, Mizuno has starred in Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Devs. The 36-year-old entertainer also acted as a minor character in a lot of movies such as Beauty and the Beast, Crazy Rich Asians, and La La Land. In addition, Mizuno plays the lead character in the Netflix original series Maniac.

Emily 'Eve' Best plays the character of Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Her character is the wife of 'Sea Snake' Lord Corlys Velaryon, and the couple is regarded as one of the most powerful duos in the series.

Born on July 31, 1971, Eve Best is an established actress with a long and varied acting career in both film and TV. She rose to stardom with several movies including The King’s Speech, Someone You Love, United, and A Woman of No Importance. This 51-year-old star also participated in TV series such as Nurse Jackie and Fate: The Winx Saga and in Netflix series like The Shadow Line, and The Honorable Woman, to name a few.