'House of the Dragon' Season 2: New 'dueling' trailers released; premiere date announced

Max has released not one, but two new trailers for "House of the Dragon" as the premiere of the second season for the popular "Game of Thrones" spinoff nears.

The new so-called "dueling trailers" released Thursday ask fans to pick a side in the upcoming civil war between two leaders and their factions that are soon to be battling it out for the Iron Throne: King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) or Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy,) both of the House Targaryen for which the series is named.

The network also unveiled an official release date for the series based on the world created by George R.R. Martin, which serves as a prequel to "Game of Thrones", documenting the division and fall of the Targaryen dynasty.

Here's what we know so far about "House of the Dragon" Season 2:

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When does 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 premiere?

"House of the Dragon" Season 2 will premiere at 9 p.m. ET Sunday, June 16 on HBO.

The upcoming season, which will span eight episodes, will also be available each week to stream on Max.

'House of the Dragon' season 2 trailer

At the end of Season 1, war appeared on the horizon for the Seven Kingdoms when the death of King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) left a power vacuum in Westeros and a question as to his chosen successor.

When Princess Rhaenyra was notified in the October 2022 finale of the death of one of her sons at the hands of one of Alicent Hightower's (Olivia Cooke) children, she turned to face the camera with fire gleaming in her eyes. The second season will pick up where the first ended, with Westeros on the brink of a bloody war and powerful houses being forced to choose sides.

In the trailers launched Thursday, Max is asking viewers to pick a side as well by selecting the color corresponding to a specific council: the Green Council of King Aegon, or the Black Council of Queen Rhaenyra.

Watch them here:

"Rhaenrya's supporters will believe what they wish, but Viserys wanted Aegon to succeed him," Alicent says in the "green trailer" of what she believes were her late husband's dying wishes for their son.

Suffice to say, Rhaenyra's faction doesn't see it that way.

"My father chose me, his firstborn child, to succeed him," Rhaenrya says in the "black trailer."

How to watch 'House of the Dragon' Season 2

The series will air exclusively on HBO's TV channel and will available to stream on Max, HBO's streaming platform.

Plans begin at $9.99 a month with ads, which allows users to stream on up to two devices at one time. Ad-free subscriptions are $15.99 a month, which includes the additional ability to download up to 30 titles to watch on the go. The highest tier, which is $19.99 per month, includes the ability to stream on four devices and offers 4K Ultra HD video quality and 100 downloads.

Cast of 'House of the Dragon'

Many new arrivals will make an appearance in the upcoming season alongside familiar faces from the initial cast. Returning cast members include:

• Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen 
• Olivia Cooke as adult Alicent Hightower
• Emma D’Arcy as adult Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen
• Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon
• Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
• Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
• Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen
• Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria 
• Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower 
• Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon
• Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen
• Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
• Phia Saban as Halaena Targaryen
• Jefferson Hall as Tyland and Jason Lannister
• Matthew Needham as Larys Strong

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com