HBO’s exciting prequel series, House of the Dragon , continues to wow audiences and critics week after week. The story is enticing, the writing is convincing, and the acting is top-notch.
We’ve seen our favorite actors in character , yet very little has been revealed regarding what goes on behind the scenes. However, thanks to this collection of heartwarming pictures , that’s all about to change.
Otto behaves in a manner that doesn’t befit the Hand of the King.

Who says that even enemies can’t get along from time to time? Sometimes, all it takes is one Hand of the King riding a canon to break the tension and bring everyone together.
One of us is really happy to be here.

It would appear that Princess Helaena is none too pleased with the Hand of the King. Although, since he’s presumably the one who suggested Helaena marry her brother , it’s not hard to understand why.
Steve Toussaint aka Lord Corlys getting prepped for battle in the Stepstones.

I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I miss Lord Corlys! Game of Thrones had an ugly habit of killing off iconic characters off-screen, so I certainly hope that isn’t the case here.
A Targaryen/Hightower family affair.

Here we see Queen Alicent, Aegon II, King Viserys I, and Princess Helaena posing for a family photo. One could even go as far as to say that they all look happy, except for Helaena that is.
Just a couple of Queens sitting on the Iron Throne.

I miss the simpler times when Princess Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower were friends, as opposed to bitter enemies. I’m also a huge fan of the rainbow sneakers that Emily Carey is rocking in this photo.
Whatever you do, don’t smile.

One thing I don’t understand is the aging-up process that some of the characters in House of the Dragon undergo. For example, how is it that King Viserys I has deteriorated away to nothing and Criston Cole just has a shorter haircut?
A little less than kin and more than kind.

What does a guy have to do to get a blue checkmark beside his name, Instagram? I would’ve thought that by now you’d have my main man Elliot Grihault verified.
Green juice and seawater are a Velaryon’s best friends.

Green juice is said to be what gives the Velaryons their signature white hair. That, and a heavy helping of inbreeding across generations. Whoever would’ve thought that’d be the case?!
Ser Criston getting some well-deserved shuteye.

Bashing peoples’ brains in is hard and tiresome work, clearly. Also, what’s with the wires in the headphones Ser Criston? Surely you can afford a pair of AirPods with what HBO must be paying you.
The Hand of the King tells the best jokes.

I still have a hard time believing Otto Hightower and Rhys Darby are one and the same. Whenever I look at him, I still see Adrian from Adam Sandler’s Little Nicky .
The King brought his lunch from home.

I have to say that this is a pretty cool move. Either the food on set is so bad that Paddy can’t be forced to eat it or the person who’s preparing his meals at home really knows their way around the kitchen.
The coolest Hand of the King the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen.

In this photo, Rhy Darby looks like more of a rock star than he does the Hand of the King. Are The Holywood Vampires currently recruiting? If so, I think they should give Rhys a call.
Paddy Considine isn’t amused.

Normally, Paddy Considine is all smiles, but not today. Judging from how long it must take to apply that facial makeup, I suppose we can all empathize with him a little. I’m sure his days start much earlier than his castmates for that reason.
In the Game of Thrones, you either win or you draw another card.

It doesn’t get much more meta than Matt Smith holding up playing cards from HBO’s House of the Dragon ! I know I’m not alone in saying this, but Matt is easily my favorite cast member .
Milly Alcock and Emily Carey bring it in for the real thing.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, but I really hope we get to see a flashback sequence of Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra in their youth before the end of Season 1.