SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1
Summary
HBO’sHouse of the Dragonhas a ridiculous amount of character recasts that can be difficult to keep track of. TheGame of Thronesprequel series is based on the bookFire & Bloodby George R.R. Martin, which details events surrounding the Targaryen dynasty for nearly 200 years of its rule.House of the Dragontakes place roughly200 years beforeGame of Throneson the timelinebutthe show also covers decades of material, thus needing several actors to be recast from children to adults.
Much of theHouse of the Dragoncastplays members of the Targaryen family, though there are many key characters from Houses Velaryon and Hightower as well. Given such a massive ensemble, minor characters can be excessively difficult to keep track of, especially when the actors are changing after only two or three episodes.There were three time jumps in season 1, three years between episodes 2 & 3, ten years between episodes 5 & 6, and six more years between episodes 7 & 8. Most casting changes happened at one of these jumps.
11Rhaenyra Targaryen
Played by: Milly Alcock, Emma D’Arcy
As the show’s main character, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s recasting was the most notable, happening in the ten-year gap between episodes 5 and 6. Initially,Rhaenyra was played by Milly Alcock, who was widely celebrated for her youthful, energetic portrayal of the character. Much of the first interpretation follows Rhaenyra as she’s bestowed the position of King Viserys' heir and the options surrounding her potential marriages, eventually landing on Laenor Velaryon.
D’Arcy’s iteration is equally charismatic, their rendition is calmer and more sentimental
In episode 6, Milly Alcock is recast, with Emma D’Arcy subbing infor the adult version of Rhaenyra. The adult version of the character picks up after a decade of marriage to Laenor Velaryon, showing the birth of her third child. D’Arcy’s iteration is equally charismatic, though their rendition is calmer and more sentimental, with Rhaenyra having struggled to maintain her political reputation as the king’s heir for years. D’Arcy also provides narration forHouse of the Dragon’spremiere episode.
10Alicent Hightower
Played by: Emily Carey, Olivia Cooke
Alicent Hightower’s timeline runs parallel to Rhaenyra, as though the two female leads ofHouse of the Dragonare shown to be childhood friends growing up together in King’s Landing.In the first five 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 while he mourned his wife. Alicent and Viserys marry, with their children beginning to arrive before the time jump.
After the episode 5 time jump, Alicent is played by Olivia Cooke. The adult Alicent has been a mother for over a decade, a role she doesn’t seem too thrilled about. Her frustration grows against Rhaenyra, as the two have been feuding with each other for much of this time. Cooke brings a bitterness to the character but also a sensitivity, as she’s someone who’s spent much of the prior decade living unhappily in her duties as Queen.
Every Dragon In House Of The Dragon Explained
As war erupts in Westeros, dragons will be sent to battle. Here’s a description of every dragon in HBO’s House of the Dragon, heading into season 2.
9Aemond Targaryen
Played by: Leo Ashton, Ewan Mitchell
Aemond Targaryen undergoes one of the most drastic and exciting casting changes inHouse of the Dragon. The younger version of the character isintroduced in episodes 6 & 7, played by child 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 pain. He also makes one of the boldest moves in the series, taming the dragon Vhagar.
Having grown up, Aemond Targaryen has become one of themost powerfulHouse of the Dragoncharactersand is played flawlessly by Ewan Mitchell.Mitchell takes over for the character in episode 8 and joined the main cast for season 2, playing Aemond in his late teenage years. Aemond has trained for years to be an asset to the Green faction, becoming a skilled swordsman riding the world’s biggest dragon, but he’s still haunted by his childhood.
8Aegon Targaryen
Played by: Ty Tennant, Tom Glynn-Carney
Aegon Targaryen is the eldest son of Alicent Hightower and Viserys Targaryen, creating the conflict of successionHouse of the Dragonis focused around. Aegon has actually been played by three actors throughout the series, though the first was an infant child actor who’s not named and only played him in episode 3.In episodes 6 & 7, he was recast by Ty Tennant, who played the character in his adolescent years.
In episode 8, Aegon was recast again, with actor Tom Glynn-Carney stepping into the role, playing Aegon in his later teen years. Glynn-Carney also joined theHouse of the Dragonmain cast for season 2, following the start of the Dance of the Dragons. While season 1 primarily portrays Aegon as a rather apathetic character, the Iron Throne is already shown to affect him during his coronation, as power does to many in theGame of Thronesuniverse.
7Helaena 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 first introduced in episode 4, played by another baby actor whose name isn’t available. In her scene, Alicent struggles to calm baby Helaena as she’s crying.Child actress Evie Allen plays Helaena in her adolescent years in episodes 6 & 7.
Saban has done a terrific job making Helaena arguably the most sympathetic character in the show
In episode 8, actress Phia Saban is brought in to play Helaenain her late teen years. Like with Aegon and Aemond’s recasts, Phia Saban was added to the season 2 cast as a series regular, and Saban has done a terrific job making Helaena arguably the most sympathetic character in the show. She’s one of the few figures in theGame of Thronesuniverse who doesn’t desire power or to harm anyone, and Saban plays the role with sophistication and grace.
6Jacaerys Velaryon
Played by: Leo Hart, Harry Collett
Like many of the younger characters inHouse of the Dragon,Jacaerys Velaryon was recast after the episode 7 time jump to age up through his teen years. Jacaerys is the eldest son of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon, legally, though it’s well-known that his biological father is Harwin Strong. Child actor Leo Hart plays the younger version of the character.
He’s a subtle character, but Harry Collett deserves praise for bringing complexity to an undersung figure from the source material
In the final episodes of season 1 and as a series regular in season 2,Harry Collett takes over the role of Jacaerys Velaryon. While not as physically imposing as Aemond, Jacaerys is equally as determined to aid his side in winning the war, taking on responsibility beyond his means. He’s a subtle character, but Harry Collett deserves praise for bringing complexity to an undersung figure from the source material.
5Lucerys 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 & 7, child actor Harvey Adler plays the young versionof Lucerys Velaryon. His role in the series is very limited outside of the skirmish with Aemond.
In two episodesat the end ofHouse of the Dragonseason 1, actor Elliot Grihault takes over as Lucerys. He plays a crucial role in theHouse of the Dragonseason 1 ending, as Aemond gets his revenge on Lucerys by killing him with his dragon Vhagar. This is the final straw in starting the Dance of the Dragons and the climax of season 1.
4Baela Targaryen
Played by: Shani Smethurst, Bethany Antonia
Baela Targaryen is the daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon, who doesn’t have a major role in season 1 but should be an important character throughoutHouse of the Dragon.Actress Shani Smethurst plays young Baela in episodes 6 & 7prior to the final season 1 time jump. She aids Rhaenyra’s sons in attacking young Aemond in “Driftmark.”
Bethany Antonia picks up the role of Baela Targaryen for two episodes at the end of season 1and joins theHouse of the Dragonmain cast for season 2. As demonstrated in trailers for season 2, Baela is a competent dragonrider who rides Moondancer, making her a valuable asset to Rhaenyra’s side.
3Rhaena Targaryen
Played by: Eva Ossei-Gerning, Phoebe Campbell
Rhaena Targaryen is Baela’s sister and the daughter of Daemon and Laena. InFire & Blood, Baela and Rhaena are twins, though Rhaena is slightly younger.Eva Ossei-Gerning plays child Rhaena in episodes 6 & 7, also taking part in the attack on Aemond, with very little else to do in the series.
Phoebe Campbell takes over the role in episodes 8 & 10of season 1. Rhaena isn’t as prominent as Baela due to her not being a dragonrrider just yet. Rhaena was betrothed to Lucerys Velaryon toward the end of season 1, but his death cancels those plans.
2Laenor Velaryon
Played by: Matthew Carver, Theo Nate, John Macmillan
The role of Laenor Velaryon is played by three actors, spanning acrossHouse of the Dragon’sfirst 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, showing the character as a child without any notable moments.
Theo Nate plays Laenor in episodes 3 & 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 & 7, leading to the character’s alleged death. Episode 7’s final moments show Laenor escaping, and commonHouse of the Dragontheoriessuggest he could return.
