Paddy Considine lands the lead role in 'Game of Thrones' prequel 'House of the Dragon'

Paddy Considine will play King Viserys Targaryen in the forthcoming Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon.

HBO confirmed the casting through its official Game of Thrones twitter account, coupled with the high Valyrian exclamation 'Dracarys!', meaning 'dragonfire'.

The series takes place 300 year prior to the events of Game of Thrones, with Viserys chosen by the lords of Westeros to be the successor to the 'Old King', Jaehaerys Targaryen, his grandfather.

Though he rode the fearsome dragon Balerion the Black Dread, in Game of Thrones writer George R R Martin's lore, Viserys is a kindly and decent man, liked by all, who wishes to continue the legacy of his grandfather and is keen on throwing lavish parties and tournaments.

He is also the father of Rhaenyra and Aegon II, who eventually fight a civil war in Westeros over the throne, known in the books as the Dance of Dragons.

Considine, 47, is known for his work with Shane Meadows, starring in A Room For Romeo Brass, Dead Man's Shoes and This Is England.

He's also appeared in Hot Fuzz, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Death of Stalin and Peaky Blinders.

Considine likely piqued the interest of HBO after appearing in its series The Outsider and The Third Day, currently airing on Sky Atlantic.

The House of the Dragon is based on Martin's 2018 book Fire & Blood, about the Targaryen dynasty, best known to Game of Thrones fans through Emilia Clarke's Daenerys Targaryen in the hit HBO fantasy show.

Frequent Game of Thrones director Miguel Sapochnik is co-showrunner alongside Colony creator Ryan Condal, while George R R Martin is an executive producer.

The show is set to premiere some time in 2022.