The first episode of House of the Dragon will air on HBO Max on August 21.

[{"selector":"#anim-141e3456-9ddb-48e6-919e-e6ce552ccf3c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.140624891630004%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] You must watch the new "House of the Dragon" if you've been a fan of the epic fantasy series "Game of Thrones" for the previous ten years.

[{"selector":"#anim-bd59efd5-6c38-478f-8d5c-70018d68dfcd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-33.05288451255018%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] On Sunday, August 21 at 9 p.m. Eastern, HBO Max will debut the prequel. Taking place 200 years before "Game of Thrones," the new series

[{"selector":"#anim-14ecbec0-8549-4612-a2db-c5deb6ca622b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-50.297577894378065%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] narrates the tale of the dragons that belonged to House Targaryen. On upcoming Sundays, nine additional episodes will be released.

[{"selector":"#anim-e1e03993-0fd3-426b-ae4c-7253c5c3da86 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] For almost 300 years, House Targaryen ruled over Westeros and the Seven Kingdoms.

[{"selector":"#anim-3093d629-4740-47ef-89ba-4742e31b2b6d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Just before the premiere of "Game of Thrones," that changed. Newcomers should know that Westeros is a vast continent about the size of South America.

[{"selector":"#anim-a7596c35-4a8c-4ccb-b7ca-c48b007c67cb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The conflict over who will rule the seven kingdoms of Westeros and inherit the Targaryen dynasty is one of the show's many subplots.

[{"selector":"#anim-b966f1a6-f03c-4579-a4d4-3a9630afa958 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.2687498863395%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The focus of "House of the Dragon" is on a single family or house's ancestors.

[{"selector":"#anim-cfede2ad-e508-4d6e-8643-1f329dfc9ae6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] HBOMax is urging viewers to watch seven free episodes if they want to catch up or need a refresher.

[{"selector":"#anim-2e6fbc43-be1c-4522-b9ab-7d5b2d552e7b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The George R. R. Martin books "A Song of Ice and Fire" served as the inspiration for both "Game of Thrones" and "House of the Dragon."