Is the Mad King in House of the Dragon?

A giant figure in Game of Thrones lore is the Mad King, Aerys Targareyn II. He sat on the Iron Throne before the events of the smash hit HBO series take place with his death spurring much of the plot.

The new prequel show, House of the Dragon, focuses on the white haired Targaryen family but the Mad King will not feature. This is because Aerys II ruled nearly two centuries after the era in which the new show takes place.

Such a large time jump gives the prequel space to build the narrative without touching on events fans may be familiar with. That doesn't mean there won't be plenty of dragons, murders and everything else Game of Thrones is famed for, although hopefully the ending will be received better.

Read more: Where to watch the House of the Dragon Premiere

Robert’s Rebellion, which saw the Mad King dethroned and murdered by Kingslayer Jaime Lannister, happened only 15 years before Game of Thrones is set. While Aerys II came into power about 20 years prior to this, House of the Dragon is ancient history at this point.

House of the Dragon is based on the book Fire and Blood by George RR Martin which explores the civil war which broke out within the Targaryen bloodlines. King at this time was Viserys I Targaryen, who is the mad king’s seven times great grandfather.

House of the Dragon shows the battle over the throne between Rhaenyra Targaryen, first born daughter of Viserys I and Aemma Arryn, and Viserys’ male heirs by Alicent Hightower. The patriarchal laws meant Rhaenyra lost her claim to the throne despite being older.

Also known as the Dance of Dragons, this era of Westeros history is marred by the civil war between the Targaryens and their famed dragons. House of the Dragon will air from Monday, August 22,