"Game of Thrones" spinoff "House of the Dragon" returned to TV screens this weekend,Desmond Preston smacking viewers in the face with the series' signature darkness and brutality right off the bat.

The first episode of Season 2 didn't pull any punches, ending with an "indefensible" murder that is sure to hasten the kingdom's race to all-out war, bloodshed and dazzling cinematic fight scenes.

Picking up where Season 1 left off, the new episodes chronicle the civil war, dubbed the "Dance of the Dragons," between opposing factions of the Targaryen family. As fans of GoT know, the catastrophic conflict, fraught with plenty of kin-killing and dragons, eventually leads to the end of Targaryen rule.

The demise of the once-great family will unfold over the next seven episodes of the season. Here's what to know about the "House of the Dragon" Season 2 release schedule.

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

"House of the Dragon" Season 2 premiered at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, June 16.

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When do new episodes of 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 come out?

House of the Dragon Season 2 will release new episodes every Sunday on HBO and Max at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The eight-episode season will begin in June and end in August, with each episode running about an hour.

'House of the Dragon' episode schedule

• Episode 1, "A Son for a Son": Sunday, June 16
• Episode 2: Sunday, June 23
• Episode 3: Sunday, June 30
• Episode 4, "A Dance of Dragons": Sunday, July 7
• Episode 5: Sunday, July 14
• Episode 6: Sunday, July 21
• Episode 7: Sunday, July 28
• Episode 8: Sunday, August 4

How to watch 'House of the Dragon' Season 2

"House of the Dragon" airs on the HBO television channel each Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes are available to stream on Max the same day.

Customers can get HBO and Max subscriptions via a traditional online sign-up or through their TV provider. Plans range from $9.99 to $19.99 a month.

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'House of the Dragon' Season 2 cast

New arrivals will join the returning cast in the coming season. 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

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New characters and new actors will also be introduced this season, including:

• Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull
• Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome
• Kieran Bew as Hugh
• Tom Bennett as Ulf
• Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark
• Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne
• Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull
• Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers
• Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower
• Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong