SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1

HBO’s House of the Dragon has a ridiculous quantity of character recasts that can be tough to preserve track of. The Game of Thrones prequel series is primarily based on the book Fire &amp Blood by George R.R. Martin, which particulars events surrounding the Targaryen dynasty for almost 200 years of its rule. House of the Dragon requires spot roughly 200 years ahead of Game of Thrones on the timeline but the show also covers decades of material, hence needing various actors to be recast from youngsters to adults.

Much of the House of the Dragon cast plays members of the Targaryen loved ones, even though there are lots of important characters from Houses Velaryon and Hightower as nicely. Given such a huge ensemble, minor characters can be excessively tough to preserve track of, in particular when the actors are altering just after only two or 3 episodes. There have been 3 time jumps in season 1, 3 years involving episodes 2 &amp 3, ten years involving episodes 5 &amp 6, and six far more years involving episodes 7 &amp 8. Most casting modifications occurred at 1 of these jumps.

11 Rhaenyra Targaryen

Played by: Milly Alcock, Emma D’Arcy

As the show’s key character, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s recasting was the most notable, taking place in the ten-year gap involving episodes 5 and 6. Initially, Rhaenyra was played by Milly Alcock, who was extensively celebrated for her youthful, energetic portrayal of the character. Much of the very first interpretation follows Rhaenyra as she’s bestowed the position of King Viserys’ heir and the alternatives surrounding her possible marriages, ultimately landing on Laenor Velaryon.

In episode 6, Milly Alcock is recast, with Emma D’Arcy subbing in for the adult version of Rhaenyra. The adult version of the character picks up just after a decade of marriage to Laenor Velaryon, displaying the birth of her third youngster. D’Arcy’s iteration is equally charismatic, even though their rendition is calmer and far more sentimental, with Rhaenyra obtaining struggled to keep her political reputation as the king’s heir for years. D’Arcy also supplies narration for House of the Dragon’s premiere episode.

10 Alicent Hightower

Played by: Emily Carey, Olivia Cooke

Alicent Hightower’s timeline runs parallel to Rhaenyra, as even though the two female leads of House of the Dragon are shown to be childhood mates expanding up collectively in King’s Landing. In the very first 5 episodes, Alicent is played by Emily Carey, portraying the character as her life becomes occupied by duty, with her father, Otto Hightower, sending her to comfort King Viserys whilst he mourned his wife. Alicent and Viserys marry, with their youngsters starting to arrive ahead of the time jump.

After the episode 5 time jump, Alicent is played by Olivia Cooke. The adult Alicent has been a mother for more than a decade, a part she does not look as well thrilled about. Her aggravation grows against Rhaenyra, as the two have been feuding with every single other for substantially of this time. Cooke brings a bitterness to the character but also a sensitivity, as she’s an individual who’s spent substantially of the prior decade living unhappily in her duties as Queen.

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Every Dragon In House Of The Dragon Explained

As war erupts in Westeros, dragons will be sent to battle. Here’s a description of each and every dragon in HBO’s House of the Dragon, heading into season 2.

9 Aemond Targaryen

Played by: Leo Ashton, Ewan Mitchell

Aemond Targaryen undergoes 1 of the most drastic and fascinating casting modifications in House of the Dragon. The younger version of the character is introduced in episodes 6 &amp 7, played by youngster actor Leo Ashton. The young Aemond is bullied by his older siblings and cousins, and the terrific performer plays it with a delicate vulnerability as he experiences that discomfort. He also tends to make 1 of the boldest moves in the series, taming the dragon Vhagar.

Having grown up, Aemond Targaryen has turn out to be 1 of the most effective House of the Dragon characters and is played flawlessly by Ewan Mitchell. Mitchell requires more than for the character in episode 8 and joined the key cast for season 2, playing Aemond in his late teenage years. Aemond has educated for years to be an asset to the Green faction, becoming a skilled swordsman riding the world’s largest dragon, but he’s nonetheless haunted by his childhood.

8 Aegon Targaryen

Played by: Ty Tennant, Tom Glynn-Carney

Aegon Targaryen is the eldest son of Alicent Hightower and Viserys Targaryen, making the conflict of succession House of the Dragon is focused about. Aegon has truly been played by 3 actors all through the series, even though the very first was an infant youngster actor who’s not named and only played him in episode 3. In episodes 6 &amp 7, he was recast by Ty Tennant, who played the character in his adolescent years.

In episode 8, Aegon was recast once more, with actor Tom Glynn-Carney stepping into the part, playing Aegon in his later teen years. Glynn-Carney also joined the House of the Dragon key cast for season 2, following the begin of the Dance of the Dragons. While season 1 mainly portrays Aegon as a rather apathetic character, the Iron Throne is currently shown to have an effect on him through his coronation, as energy does to lots of in the Game of Thrones universe.

7 Helaena Targaryen

Played by: Evie Allen, Phia Saban

Helaena Targaryen is the sister and wife of Aegon Targaryen and the daughter of Viserys and Alicent Hightower. She was very first introduced in episode 4, played by a different child actor whose name is not readily available. In her scene, Alicent struggles to calm child Helaena as she’s crying. Child actress Evie Allen plays Helaena in her adolescent years in episodes 6 &amp 7.

In episode 8, actress Phia Saban is brought in to play Helaena in her late teen years. Like with Aegon and Aemond’s recasts, Phia Saban was added to the season 2 cast as a series common, and Saban has accomplished a terrific job producing Helaena arguably the most sympathetic character in the show. She’s 1 of the handful of figures in the Game of Thrones universe who does not need energy or to harm any person, and Saban plays the part with sophistication and grace.

6 Jacaerys Velaryon

Played by: Leo Hart, Harry Collett

Like lots of of the younger characters in House of the Dragon, Jacaerys Velaryon was recast just after the episode 7 time jump to age up by means of his teen years. Jacaerys is the eldest son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon, legally, even though it is nicely-identified that his biological father is Harwin Strong. Child actor Leo Hart plays the younger version of the character.

In the final episodes of season 1 and as a series common in season 2, Harry Collett requires more than the part of Jacaerys Velaryon. While not as physically imposing as Aemond, Jacaerys is equally as determined to help his side in winning the war, taking on duty beyond his implies. He’s a subtle character, but Harry Collett deserves praise for bringing complexity to an undersung figure from the supply material.

5 Lucerys Velaryon

Played by: Harvey Adler, Elliot Grihault

Lucerys Velaryon is the second-born son of Rhaenyra and Harwin Strong, whose most notable act in season 1 is slashing out the eye of Aemond Targaryen. In episodes 6 &amp 7, youngster actor Harvey Adler plays the young version of Lucerys Velaryon. His part in the series is really restricted outdoors of the skirmish with Aemond.

In two episodes at the finish of House of the Dragon season 1, actor Elliot Grihault requires more than as Lucerys. He plays a essential part in the House of the Dragon season 1 ending, as Aemond gets his revenge on Lucerys by killing him with his dragon Vhagar. This is the final straw in beginning the Dance of the Dragons and the climax of season 1.

4 Baela Targaryen

Played by: Shani Smethurst, Bethany Antonia

Baela Targaryen is the daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon, who does not have a key part in season 1 but should really be an essential character all through House of the Dragon. Actress Shani Smethurst plays young Baela in episodes 6 &amp 7 prior to the final season 1 time jump. She aids Rhaenyra’s sons in attacking young Aemond in “Driftmark.”

Bethany Antonia picks up the part of Baela Targaryen for two episodes at the finish of season 1 and joins the House of the Dragon key cast for season 2. As demonstrated in trailers for season 2, Baela is a competent dragonrider who rides Moondancer, producing her a useful asset to Rhaenyra’s side.

3 Rhaena Targaryen

Played by: Eva Ossei-Gerning, Phoebe Campbell

Rhaena Targaryen is Baela’s sister and the daughter of Daemon and Laena. In Fire &amp Blood, Baela and Rhaena are twins, even though Rhaena is slightly younger. Eva Ossei-Gerning plays youngster Rhaena in episodes 6 &amp 7, also taking portion in the attack on Aemond, with really small else to do in the series.

Phoebe Campbell requires more than the part in episodes 8 &amp 10 of season 1. Rhaena is not as prominent as Baela due to her not becoming a dragonrrider just however. Rhaena was betrothed to Lucerys Velaryon toward the finish of season 1, but his death cancels these plans.

2 Laenor Velaryon

Played by: Matthew Carver, Theo Nate, John Macmillan

The part of Laenor Velaryon is played by 3 actors, spanning across House of the Dragon’s very first two time jumps. Laenor is the son of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. Prior to that, he was played by actor Matthew Carver in episode 1, displaying the character as a youngster without having any notable moments.

Theo Nate plays Laenor in episodes 3 &amp 5, covering two pivotal moments for the character. In the War of the Stepstones, Laenor is a dragonrider supporting Daemon and Corlys, and he’s shown riding Seasmoke in battle. In episode 5, Laenor is wed to Rhaenyra. John Macmillan plays Laenor for his final arc in episodes 6 &amp 7, major to the character’s alleged death. Episode 7’s final moments show Laenor escaping, and widespread House of the Dragon theories recommend he could return.

1 Laena Velaryon

Played by: Nova Foueillis-Mosé, Savannah Steyn, Nanna Blondell

Laena Velaryon is the sister of Laenor and the daughter of Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. She’s a dragonrider who rode Vhagar ahead of Aemond and was Daemon Targaryen’s second wife. She’s played by 3 actors all through time jumps in season 1, beginning with Nova Foueillis-Mosé, whose portrayal in the show’s very first two episodescan be remembered for the awkward scene with King Viserys just after Corlys presents her to the substantially older monarch in a marriage proposal.

Savannah Steyn plays the teen version in episode 5, appearing at Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding and forming a bond with Prince Daemon. Nanna Blondell concludes the character’s arc in season 6, with Laena obtaining had Rhaena and Baela with Daemon. Laena dies in the most quintessentially House of the Dragon way achievable, commanding her dragon to light her ablaze just after complications with her third pregnancy turn out to be fatal.

House of the Dragon

Taking spot about 172 years ahead of the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only loved ones of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The well-known HBO spinoff show very first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower ahead of they have been replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

Cast

Jefferson Hall , Paddy Considine , Fabien Frankel , Ryan Corr , Eve Best , Gavin Spokes , Graham McTavish , Steve Toussaint , Olivia Cooke , Sonoya Mizuno , Bill Paterson , Matthew Needham , Emma D’Arcy , Matt Smith , Rhys Ifans , David Horovitch

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Seasons

2

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