Paddy Considine wasn’t interested in being in a show ‘about dragons’ when he was offered a role in Game of Thrones. However, the actor has since changed his tune, starring in the upcoming HBO spinoff series, House of the Dragon. The show will feature 17 dragons in total, surrounding Considine on a project he never believed he would be involved with.

No one knew the tremendous success that Game of Thrones would be, and the actor who plays King Viserys Targaryen was just happy to once again have the opportunity to join George R.R. Martin’s world when casting took place. The actor told The Sunday Times that when his agent approached him with a script, he quickly declined the offer. “He said, ‘It’s about dragons.’ I went, ‘No thanks.’ I didn’t even read it.”

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Considine would be missing out on one of the biggest television shows of all time, spanning eight seasons and racking up 164 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning 59. However, the actor wouldn’t miss a second chance at fantasy greatness when he was offered his role in House of the Dragon.

HBO describes his character as ‘chosen by the lords of Westeros to succeed the Old King, Jaehaerys Targaryen, at the Great Council of Harrenhal. A warm, kind, and decent man, Viserys only wishes to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy, but as we’ve learned from Game of Thrones, good men do not necessarily make for great kings.’

Watch Considine embody King Viserys when House of the Dragon releases on HBO and HBO Max later this month, August 21.

Paddy Considine Says King Viserys is Based on His Mother

     HBO

House of the Dragon will see House Targaryen at the height of their power and will include the fall of the long-reigning dynasty. Considine told The Sunday Times that his take on King Viserys was inspired by his mother, who battled diabetes. Watching the decline of someone he respected and loved while seeing her maintain her kindness informed his portrayal of the Targaryen king.

Considine will certainly deliver a powerful performance when House of the Dragon premieres. Fans can only hope the latest spinoff series based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood will be as well crafted as Game of Thrones.

“If anything Viserys was based on my mother. She was the most powerful woman I knew, for a long time. Until she neglected herself. By the end of her life my mum had diabetes. I adored my mum. But her illness became her comfort zone. It was tragic to see that decline and I put that - plus her kindness and her love - into Viserys.”