The Black Queen (House of the Dragon)
"The Black Queen" is the tenth and final episode of the first season of the HBO fantasy drama television series House of the Dragon. Written by Ryan Condal and directed by Greg Yaitanes, it first aired on October 23, 2022. Two days before it aired, the episode leaked online and was shared among many fans on illegal torrent websites.
Showrunner Ryan Condal wrote the season finale.
Emma D'Arcy's performance in the episode was widely praised by critics.
House of the Dragon is an American fantasy drama television series created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO. A prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019), it is the second television series in the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise. Condal and Miguel Sapochnik served as the showrunners for the first season. Based on parts of Martin's 2018 book Fire & Blood, the series begins about 100 years after the Seven Kingdoms are united by the Targaryen conquest, nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. Featuring an ensemble cast, the show portrays the events leading up to the decline of House Targaryen, a devastating war of succession known as the "Dance of the Dragons".
Paddy Considine received critical acclaim for his performance as Viserys.
Image: Ryan Condal
Image: Portrait photoshoot at Worldcon 75, Helsinki, before the Hugo Awards – George R. R. Martin (cropped)