‘It’s a Big F-ing Book’

Matt Smith is set to star in the upcoming HBO series House of the Dragon, where he’ll take on the role of Prince Daemon Targaryen. Despite starring in the series, however, Smith has yet to finish the book the series will be based on.

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“Not in its entirety,” Smith said in an interview with Rolling Stone when asked whether he’s read Fire & Blood, the book the series is loosely based upon. Smith went on to joke about the book’s length, calling it “a big f—— book.” When it comes to his character, however, Smith has feelings about his character, especially regarding his relationship with his brother, King Viserys I Targaryen.

“He’s sort of an outsider,” said Smith of his character. “He’s not black and white, there are shades of grey with him, which is what interested me about him. And his relationship with his brother is really interesting. It was a joy working with Paddy Considine, who I’ve admired for so long, and Rhys Ifans.”

Smith also discussed the cast of the film, praising the star-studded group of actors joining the show.

“It’s a great cast,” Smith said. “The characters are really, really interesting, and it’s based on George R.R. Martin’s book. That’s one thing we’ve got going for us: we’re not just plucking fantasy out of thin air. It comes from the mind of George, who’s really clever, and has created a world that feels like it’s translatable.”

Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon chronicles the rise and the downfall of the Targaryens, who are the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. It will take place 300 years before the events of the award-winning series adaptation of Game of Thrones which aired its final episode nearly two years ago.

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House of the Dragon hails from George R.R. Martin, Ryan Condal, and Game of Thrones director Miguel Sapochnik, with Condal and Sapochnik also attached to serve as showrunners. Executive producers are Martin, Sapochnik, Condal, Vince Gerardis, and Sara Lee Hess.