News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Nov. 8, 2022: When it was announced that there would be a prequel series to Game of Thrones, many people were skeptical. The abrupt and disappointing ending to the series left a bitter aftertaste in the mouths of such a large and devoted audience. But the prequel series, ‘House of the Dragon,’ has defied the many odds stacked against it and has reinvigorated a dejected fanbase. Expanding an audience and breaking records in regions all over the world.
Latin America was one of the regions where the show was not only successful but thrived, being viewed by millions of people every week. It broke the record in Latin America for the most watched first season in HBO Max series history, outperforming Game of Thrones and The Sopranos. The show is based on George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood”, retelling the vast histories of Westeros and house Targaryen’s journey from conquerors to rulers and eventually enemies.
The show is set roughly 200 years before the birth of Jon Snow and follows house Targaryen, at a time when they still sat on the iron throne and ruled over the seven kingdoms. The first season chronicles the lead-up to the “Dance of the Dragons”, a civil war between the Targaryen’s which would very nearly lead to the house’s extinction.
In classic Game of Thrones fashion, we are introduced to a vast number of characters, all bearing similar names and titles. Thankfully, there are many online resources available to help us jog our memory. ExpressVPN’s Targaryen Family tree can help you to remember the key characters and how they are connected to each other.
We are also treated to the familiar tropes of the original series, the political scheming, backstabbing and of course, the dragons. The resounding success of the first season has all but secured another season, with rumors that the show could go as long as the original did.
Raving Success
This new fantasy hit did not just perform well in Latin America, it also broke records in Asia and many parts of Europe. In the US, the show averaged an incredible 29 million views per episode and is now HBO’s most popular show of all time. An amazing feat when you consider the quality of shows they have released over the years.
In the U.K., House of the Dragon broke the record for the biggest drama launch on Sky and the biggest Sky Atlantic series premiere ever. After such a disappointing end to Game of Thrones, many people saw the revival of the series as impossible. The series which was such a huge part of pop culture at the time but basically vanished from existence and the topic had become almost taboo.
The new prequel has completely defied the odds set against it, not only by bringing back old fans, but by attracting a completely new audience. Although it will be a long time before season two premieres, the hype around this show won’t die down soon and will most likely continue to break records upon its return. Not just in Latin America, but all around the world.
