Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon, which should be obvious from the title.
When Game of Thrones came out a lifetime ago, one of the main complaints from fans was, “I can’t tell all these old men apart!”
If characters didn’t look the same, half the time they had very similar names like Tywin and Tyrion, Bran and Bronn or Robb and Robert.
Keeping track of everyone was such a difficult task it was almost helpful when the show started killing them off in large groups.
Now House of the Dragon has hit BINGE and the same problems are cropping up again.
A boost in diversity means there are fewer old white men, but the names are still a struggle – just look at Rhaenyra and a Rhaenys. It’s difficult just to separate one bad wig from another.
So once again, we will do the heavy lifting for you. Here is every character you should care about in House of the Dragon.
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King Viserys Targaryen I
The current King of Westeros. Viserys is the grandson of the previous King and almost missed out on the position to his cousin Rhaenys Targaryen.
Viserys was married to Aemma Arryn (deceased) with whom he had his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen and his son Baelon Targaryen (deceased). Aemma died in childbirth, followed soon after by newborn Baelon. Viserys then took a second wife, Allicent Hightower.
Viserys is the last rider of the dragon Balerion (also deceased) nicknamed ‘The Black Dread’. He no longer has a dragon.
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Daughter of King Viserys I, Rhaenyra is the current heir to the throne. She was six when her father became King and at eight she was appointed the royal cup bearer, a position she still holds.
Rhaenyra is also a dragon rider. Her mount Syrax is a gold scaled dragon which Rhaenyra claims is “very protective of [her]”.
When she comes of age she will inherit Dragonstone as her keep until she takes her place as Queen.
Prince Aegon Targaryen
Son of King Viserys I and Allicent Hightower, Aegon is currently two in the show so there isn’t much to say about him. However, his mere existence is a thorn in the side of Rhaenyra since his position as ‘first born son’ puts him higher up in the line of succession.
So far Viserys has said he does not intend to replace Rhaenyra as heir but, this being Westeros, anything is possible.
Prince Daemon Targaryen
Former heir to the throne, Daemon is the King’s younger brother. Daemon is the leader of the ‘gold cloaks’, the guards of King’s Landing. He was exiled from King’s Landing and stripped of his title as heir after he was heard calling Baelon “heir for a day”.
Daemon currently resides, illegally, at Dragonstone with his soon-to-be wife Mysaria. Mysaria will be his second wife. He is also married to Rhea Royce, however, Daemon says she was “not of [his] choosing”.
Daemon is an accomplished tourney knight and dragon rider. His mount Caraxes, nicknamed ‘Blood Wyrm’, is a formidable creature and much larger than Syrax.
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
The cousin of King Viserys I, Rhaenys once challenged Viserys for the title of heir but a grand council chose him instead. This earned her the nickname, ‘the Queen That Never Was’.
Rhaenys is married to Lord Corleys Velaryon, the patriarch of the only other Valyrian noble family in the kingdom. She has two children, Leana and Laenor.
Like all royal Targaryens, Rhaenys is a dragonrider. Her mount, Meleys, is yet to be shown in House of the Dragon.
Lord Corlys Velaryon
Nicknamed the ‘Sea Snake’, Corlys is Viserys’ Master of Ships on the Small Council. Corlys is the richest man in Westeros and currently married to Princess Rhaenys.
Corlys’ house, Velaryon, are an ancient Valyrian family, just like the Targaryens. He raised his house to noble status when he came to Westeros and sought to marry his daughter to Viserys after Aemma’s death.
Ser Laenor Velaryon
Son of Rhaenys and Corlys, Laenor is the heir to the ‘Driftwood’ throne (the Velaryon seat of power). In the most recent episode Laenor proved himself a valuable battle strategist and a reputable fighter in his own right. Surprising, since he’s only 17.
Viserys’ Master of Laws, Lord Lyonel Strong, believes Rhaenyra should wed Laenor to improve relations between the Targaryens and the Velaryons.
As Rhaenys’ son, Laenor is also a dragon rider. His beautiful blue-grey dragon is called Seasmoke.
Ser Otto Hightower
Otto is a knight of house Hightower and Hand of the King. He is the second most powerful man in the kingdom and likely to become more powerful when his daughter, Allicent, marries Viserys.
Otto lost his wife some years ago so could sympathise with the King when he lost Aemma. However, he took no time in lining up his daughter to take her place.
Otto is the second born son so is not in line to become a Lord, he uses his relationship with the King to climb up the ranks instead.
Allicent Hightower
The daughter of Otto and soon to be Queen of Westeros.
Allicent was Rhaenyra’s closest friend, however after the King announced his intent to marry her their relationship appears to be fractured.
Ser Criston Cole
A war veteran and tourney knight, Criston was most recently appointed to the Kings guard (also called the ‘white cloaks’).
Criston is a low-born Dornishman but proved himself a formidable knight by unseating Daemon at Baelon’s naming tourney.
House Strong
Lord Lyonel Strong is the Master of Laws and Lord of Harrenhal. He has been a stalwart adviser to the King and his sons are likely to play a greater role in the show going forward.
His eldest, Ser Harwin Strong is nicknamed Breakbones and is allegedly the strongest man in the land. However, we did see him struggling to hold down a stag in the most recent episode so make of that what you will.
Lyonel’s youngest son, Larys Strong suffers from a clubfoot and though he has an unassuming nature it seems like there is more to Larys than first thought.
With Harrenhal as their house seat the Strong’s are likely to experience some misery in the future, if there is any weight to the alleged curse of Black Harrenhal.
House Lannister
Lord Jason Lannister (pictured) is the current Lord of Casterly Rock and head of House Lannister. He has his sights set on higher office as he put himself forward to wed Princess Rhaenyra. His ‘affections’ were not returned by Rhaenyra.
Jasons’ twin brother Tyland currently serves on the King’s council (not the Small Council) but we can expect him and his brother to play a bigger role going forward.
Ser Harrold Westerling
A long time member of the King’s guard, Harrold is the sworn protector of Rhaenyra. Despite his last name, Harrold’s relationship to house Westerling is unknown.
Mysaria
Daemon’s concubine, Mysaria, is originally from Lys in Essos. She spent her life as a slave and saught freedom by allying herself with Daemon.
Grand Maester Mellos
Mellos is the leader of the maesters and serves as the royal family’s healer. He sits on the Small Council to advise the King.
House of the Dragon airs Monday on BINGE and Foxtel now.
You can also catch up on the original Game of Thrones series on BINGE. Stream them now, live and on demand with a 14-day free trial. START FREE TRIAL.
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