House of the Dragon introduced a lot of characters in Season 1, from the in depth Targaryen household to the scheming Hightowers, but the series incorporated even extra actors. Spanning roughly 20 years, a lot of of the vital members of the story have been initially played by a younger actor prior to getting swapped out for the particular person who would stay till the finish of the series (or extra most likely the character’s death). Some characters needed 3 unique actors, like Laena Velaryon (Nova Foueillies-Mosé, Savannah Steyn, and Nanna Blondell)! However, the most memorable examples in House of the Dragon are Milly Alcock‘s Rhaenyra and Emily Carey‘s Alicent. Though these two play the central roles for the very first 5 episodes, they are replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke for the back half of the season, and the adult versions of the characters will most likely continue via the rest of the story.

Given that we very first meet these girls as teenagers, the younger actors have a considerable duty in defining who the characters are and letting the audience get to know them. These young actors did a phenomenal job, generating absolutely everyone want extra of them even just after the characters aged up. Though the upcoming Season 2 is set in their adulthood, some viewers are holding out hope that there will be flashbacks to bring back Carey and Alcock. However, according to Carey’s current statements, that does not appear to be the case. Despite the formative years of Rhaenyra and Alicent playing such a substantial aspect in the story, the show has moved on. These former friends’ falling out set the tragic events of their adulthood into motion, as their rivalry divided the Targaryen household and, by extension, Westeros. As the Dance of the Dragons builds from their broken partnership, it would only make sense for House of the Dragon to remind the audience that items could have been incredibly unique by peppering in the occasional flashback.

House of the Dragon

The reign of House Targaryen starts with this prequel to the well-liked HBO series Game of Thrones. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire &amp Blood, House of the Dragon is set practically 200 years prior to Game of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Creator

Ryan J. Condal, George R.R. Martin

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

3

Distributor

HBO

Expand

Rhaenyra and Alicent’s Dynamic Is Essential To ‘House of the Dragon’

Rhaenyra and Alicent’s partnership has a substantial effect on the story of House of the Dragon. Although they are enemies by the finish of Season 1, as they stand on unique sides of the war, they start as close friends. When Alicent (Carey) becomes Rhaenyra’s (Alcock) stepmother – via the plotting of her father and Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) and time spent with King Viserys (Paddy Considine) rather than something she chooses – their friendship becomes extra complicated. And the addition of Rhaenyra’s half-brothers only tends to make the circumstance extra volatile. Rhaenyra claims to be the heir via Viserys’ guarantee, but Alicent promotes her son Aegon II’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) claim primarily based on Westerosi customs. Viserys’ clear favoritism towards Rhaenyra does not enable matters, as the Targaryens choose sides — which are even named the Blacks and the Greens just after the colors of every single woman’s household.

In the Season 1 finale, when Otto delivers a reminder of her friendship with Alicent (Cooke), Rhaenyra (D’Arcy) considers amicably resolving their conflict. Though that waver disappears after blood is spilled, Rhaenyra’s hesitation proves their friendship is nevertheless relevant to the story. Alicent, on the other hand, is determined about her trigger. Spurred by her misinterpretation of Viserys’ final words, she fights for her son Aegon’s ideal to sit on the Iron Throne. However, the Season 2 trailer suggests she nevertheless has doubts, after once again highlighting the partnership among her and Rhaenyra. Because of the lasting effect of their friendship, the series could advantage from exploring it additional. Bringing Alcock and Carey back, even briefly, would let for this in spite of the adult versions of the characters getting distanced from every single other. Although the present-day story desires to highlight their young children as properly, and Aegon in unique as the Greens’ king, the truth is that this war is rooted in the rivalry among Rhaenyra and Alicent.

‘House of the Dragon’ Season 1 Skips Years of Alicent and Rhaenyra’s Relationship

Although Season 1 spends a lot of time exploring this connection, the show’s structure prevents it from depicting particular moments. With close to-continual time jumps, the series speedy-forwards via years of Rhaenyra and Alicent’s partnership, which could give extra context to the second season. Pivotal moments in their rivalry do not seem on-screen, such as the birth of Rhaenyra’s oldest son, when Alicent very first suspects Rhaenyra has offered birth to a bastard. Though this friction is ongoing in Season 1, by the time Rhaenyra has her third son, its origin is a important milestone in laying the groundwork for the war to come.

Likewise, the very first season jumps from Alicent’s marriage to her possessing a two-year-old son who is anticipated to replace Rhaenyra as heir — an additional substantial aspect of their conflict. Though House of the Dragon depicts the souring of their partnership, there are vital moments that could nevertheless be explored. With so a lot of events handwaved or skipped previous, there is extra than sufficient that could use an explanation in Season 2, justifying Carey and Alcock’s return.

Flashbacks Would Only Benefit ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2

As the bloody events of the Dance of the Dragons take precedence, there will be handful of possibilities for the audience to catch their breath. With two of the series’ biggest battles promised and lots of destruction, Season 2 will be intense. Brief interludes with young Alicent and Rhaenyra would enable balance the show mix in a handful of extra situations of peace devoid of distracting from the central conflict. The war has grown beyond them, but it can be traced back to their division, generating the context of their closer previous substantial even when they are physically distanced.

House of the Dragon also tends to make the point that these girls have been pitted against every single other partially against their will, and flashbacks could continue that story. While some blame the war on Viserys’ inaction and other folks on Otto’s quest for energy, the difficulty stems from the patriarchy as these two close friends are forced into a fight for energy, among Rhaenyra defending her claim and Alicent defending her young children. As every single section of the Targaryen household faces losses, the chasm among them will only develop, but that tends to make the root even extra important to reflect on. Flashbacks would highlight the partnership that set the war into motion, never ever letting us overlook the situations that led to the war. It’s a shame that Carey and Alcock will not be returning, as they have been the ones who initially got to define this failed friendship, but who knows? Maybe there is nevertheless an chance for them to reprise their roles at some future point if House of the Dragon is prepared to revisit extra of the previous.

House of the Dragon Season 2 will premiere on June 16. Season 1 is offered to stream on Max in the U.S.

WATCH ON MAX