• Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen.
    Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen.
  • Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower and Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
  • Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
    Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
  • Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen in 'Game of Thrones' prequel 'House of the Dragon'. All photos: HBO
    Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen in 'Game of Thrones' prequel 'House of the Dragon'. All photos: HBO
  • Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen.
    Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen.
  • Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon and Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
    Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon and Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
  • Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole.
    Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole.
  • Milly Alcock as the young Rhaenyra and Emily Carey as the young Alicent.
    Milly Alcock as the young Rhaenyra and Emily Carey as the young Alicent.
  • Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria.
    Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria.
  • Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
    Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower.
  • Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower.
    Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower.
  • Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon.
    Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon.

'Game of Thrones' prequel 'House of the Dragon' to premiere in UAE same day as US


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

The prequel to Game of Thrones will be released regionally on OSN+ on the same day the series is set to have its premiere in the US.

House of the Dragon will launch on August 22, with new episodes out weekly.

The 10-episode HBO Original, based on George R R Martin’s Fire & Blood, is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It tells the story of House Targaryen at the brink of its downfall in the wake of a civil war called the Dance of the Dragons.

Paddy Considine stars as King Viserys Targaryen, with Emma D’Arcy as his firstborn daughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, the king’s younger brother and heir to the throne. Olivia Cooke is Alicent Hightower, while Rhys Ifans plays Otto Hightower, her father and the Hand of the King.

A trailer for House of the Dragon was released on May 5. In the clip, which is about a minute-and-a-half long, viewers are shown King Viserys presenting his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, as his heir, but not all the residents in Westeros are seemingly willing to accept her as their leader.

In typical fashion, violence ensues. In the final moments, we’re also given a first look at the fire-breathing dragon from the House of Targaryen.

House of the Dragon is the most awaited series of the summer and showcases [the] OSN+ [platform's] commitment to providing the best-in-class exclusive content for our customers,” said Nick Forward, managing director OSN+ and chief content officer at OSN Group. “The series will be a global ‘must-watch’ — both for Game of Thrones fans or first-time visitors to the world of Westeros.”

The OSN Group overhauled its streaming platform in March. The company said the app marks “a new chapter” for the group as it embraces opportunities presented by the growing subscription video-on-demand landscape in the Middle East and North Africa.

OSN+ houses titles from several leading international studios through exclusive partnerships, such as the one with HBO, the production company behind Game of Thrones and its spin-off.

More information is available at osnplus.com

'Game of Thrones' Studio Tour in Northern Ireland — in pictures

  • The iron throne from 'Game of Thrones' is on display at the new Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
    The iron throne from 'Game of Thrones' is on display at the new Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. Getty Images
  • The swords of Ned Stark's character from the TV show 'Game of Thrones' are seen on display. Reuters
    The swords of Ned Stark's character from the TV show 'Game of Thrones' are seen on display. Reuters
  • Life-like bodies of the characters Jamie and Cersei Lannister are seen in glass display cases at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Getty Images
    Life-like bodies of the characters Jamie and Cersei Lannister are seen in glass display cases at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour. Getty Images
  • The skulls of the Targaryen dragons are among the props on display. Getty Images
    The skulls of the Targaryen dragons are among the props on display. Getty Images
  • The studio tour cost more than $53 million to create and has been made in partnership with Warner Bros. Getty Images
    The studio tour cost more than $53 million to create and has been made in partnership with Warner Bros. Getty Images
  • The Map Courtyard set and costumes on display. Reuters
    The Map Courtyard set and costumes on display. Reuters
  • Large sets can be explored by fans at the studio tour. Getty Images
    Large sets can be explored by fans at the studio tour. Getty Images
  • The set of the destroyed throne room in the Red Keep. Reuters
    The set of the destroyed throne room in the Red Keep. Reuters
  • The world's first and only Game of Thrones Studio Tour is located at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, where a significant proportion of the show's Northern Ireland leg of filming took place. Getty Images
    The world's first and only Game of Thrones Studio Tour is located at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, where a significant proportion of the show's Northern Ireland leg of filming took place. Getty Images
  • At more than 9,290 square metres, the interactive experience reveals the world of Westeros like never before, giving fans and visitors the chance to explore the famous sets of King's Landing, Winterfell, Dragonstone, The Wall and more. Getty Images
    At more than 9,290 square metres, the interactive experience reveals the world of Westeros like never before, giving fans and visitors the chance to explore the famous sets of King's Landing, Winterfell, Dragonstone, The Wall and more. Getty Images
  • The costume of the character The Mountain is seen on display. Getty Images
    The costume of the character The Mountain is seen on display. Getty Images
  • Haunting props from 'Game of Thrones' on display. Getty Images
    Haunting props from 'Game of Thrones' on display. Getty Images
  • The Studio Tour showcases the exquisite sets and creative artistry behind the incredible costumes, props, weaponry and visual effects which brought the story of 'Game of Thrones' to life. Getty Images
    The Studio Tour showcases the exquisite sets and creative artistry behind the incredible costumes, props, weaponry and visual effects which brought the story of 'Game of Thrones' to life. Getty Images
  • The tourist attraction opened to the public on February 4, 2022. Reuters
    The tourist attraction opened to the public on February 4, 2022. Reuters
  • Costumes for the Night King and his generals are on display. Reuters
    Costumes for the Night King and his generals are on display. Reuters
  • Many of the props on display will bring back memories of the series for fans. Reuters
    Many of the props on display will bring back memories of the series for fans. Reuters
  • Intricate costumes on display. AFP
    Intricate costumes on display. AFP

Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 611bhp

Torque: 620Nm

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Price: upon application

On sale: now

Updated: June 13, 2022, 11:14 AM