HERE BE DRAGONS

The ultimate blazing row is on the way as the new season of House of the Dragon sees civil war erupt. MARION McMULLEN finds out what is in store

- MARION McMULLEN

PREPARE for political intrigue, brutality, dysfunctional family dynamics... and dragons galore. The new series of House of the Dragon has arrived.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film favourite Dan Fogler is among the newcomers joining the cast and the American actor and comedian said it was a surreal experience stepping into the extended fantasy world of Game of Thrones... especially because he is such a fan of the franchise.

“It’s wild when you're watching the show at home on the couch like, ‘Oh man, I love this, I love their art: Then all of a sudden, you're wearing a costume that weighs 50 pounds, sweating under it,’ says Dan.

“Your favourite character walks up and he’s like, ‘So we have dialogue now; and you're like, ‘Oh my God”

The 49-year-old, who played Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts movies, appears as Ser Torrhen Manderly in the new series and is obviously enjoying himself. “Everyone's so lovely, and it’s such a machine that they have going. It’s so flawless that you just have to watch and be amazed,’ he says enthusiastically.

The new season also sees Olivia Cooke and Rhys Ifans return as Alicent Hightower and Otto Hightower, the highly ambitious father-daughter duo, while Grantchester and Happy Valley actor James Norton is a new addition as Lord Ormund Hightower.