The new Game of Thrones prequel smacks viewers in the mouth from the very first episode, according to Screentime presenter John Fardy.

‘House of Dragons’ airs tonight on Sky Atlantic and is already available to stream on NowTV.

The prequel is set around 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and is based on author George R.R Martin’s historical tome Fire and Blood.

It follows the infamous Targaryen family as patriarch Viserys I prepares to name his successor as heir to the Iron Throne.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Screentime presenter Jon Fardy, said he has seen the first two episodes – and fans of Game of Thrones will be “pretty delighted”.

“It is all about a kind of ensuing civil war,” he said.

“Paddy Considine, the Irish actor, plays the head of this family. He has to nominate a successor and he has a pretty reckless brother so there is a civil war about to happen.

“What is great about the first episode is … There was a lot of exposition in the first GOT which put some people off but with this, we’re smacked in the mouth in the first episode with action.

Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryan. Image: Sky

Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen. Image: Sky

“There’s a bit of sex, there is a lot of intrigue and most importantly, there are dragons straight away.

“The dragons were teased for a long time in the first Game of Thrones but there is a lot of real-life dragon action in the first episode.

“So, four out five for me for the first episode.”

He said the show is a “different beast” to the original, but he is confident Game of Thrones fans will be very happy.

The show will air on Sky Atlantic at 9pm this evening and is available to stream on NowTV already.

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