Set two centuries before Game of Thrones, HBO’s fantasy drama charts House Targaryen’s rise and fall. In season one we see it at the height of its power, and then we saw it lose everything. That’s what’s happened in House of the Dragon season 2’s vicious civil war, the Dance of the Dragons.
Before fire-breathers wreak havoc on the world of Westeros once more, have a look below at which characters in the show made our top ten list.
Larys Strong
Every fantasy show has to have a figure pulling strings behind-the-scenes, and that’s the role of Larys Strong, the so-called Master of Whisperers and Lord Confessor of House of The Dragon. This man loves gossip. If House of the Dragon had reality shows, you could bet he’d binge them all. But since it doesn’t, Larys is happy to manipulate everyone he comes across. He turns on his family, taking his own brother and father down in his lust for power, and often treats love interest Alicent with contempt. A good talker though.
Harwin Strong
We have a soft spot for Harwin Strong, one of the few truly honest men in House of the Dragon. Especially when compared with his pot-stirring brother Larys. His dogged devotion to principles make Harwin more noble than perhaps anyone else. Although, saying that, he does have a secret baby with Rhaenyra, which lead to him being booted back to Harrenhal, and ultimately to he and his father’s untimely death at the hands of Larys.
Corlys Velaryon
The Sea Snake is a great moniker for a character, and impressively, Corlys lives up to it. The Head of House Velaryon is a cold-blooded, complicated figure. While he has no issue twisting the knife, he also shows fierce loyalty. His allegiance to the Targaryens is iron-clad, and he’s devoted to his wife, Rhaenys, who has a claim to the throne. Corlys fights for that claim later in the series, advocating for Rhaenys’ right to be Queen.
Ser Criston Cole
No list of the best House of The Dragon characters is complete without Ser Criston Cole. A skilled member of the Kingsguard, he’s a feared fighter, and handy with a blade. However, his character arc is based on love, not war. While he’s sworn to celibacy as all Kingsguard are, he breaks that oath during an entanglement with Rhaenyra. Afterwards, he wants her to marry him, but it’s not that simple. She’s royalty. This angers Criston and sees his heart turn progressively darker.
Laenor Velaryon
The world of House of the Dragon can be deeply homophobic, which is a problem for a character like Laenor Velaryon. For instance, his kids aren’t biologically his, but he has to pretend there are. Despite facing the possibility of scrutiny everywhere he goes, Laenor is a moral figure with a kind heart, which makes him easy to root for in a cutthroat and prejudiced land.
Otto Hightower
Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in House of the Dragon. Otto is a fan favorite character, thanks to his cunning ruthlessness. Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in House of the Dragon. Otto is a fan favorite character, thanks to his cunning ruthlessness. Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO
There can only be one smartest person in the room. Otto Hightower is usually that person, a dangerous mix of raw intelligence and naked ambition. His brainpower is matched only by his ruthlessness, which he puts to use in his hunger for power. Otto may be the hand of the king, but all his advice is conveniently self-serving as he consistently places himself above the needs of the kingdom.
Alicent Hightower
No character in House of the Dragon feels the impact of Otto’s decision’s more than his daughter, Alicent. Once a friend to princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, that relationship is severed when Otto instructs her to get involved with Viserys. This ultimately sets Alicent and Rhaenyra on two opposing paths which only widened the chasm of hostility between them.
Viserys Targaryen
The visual degradation of Viserys Targaryen throughout season one is extraordinary. By the end of the season, this former healthy king is quite literally rotting away. Why? It’s said in the books that the iron throne was built to cut anyone unfit to rule, which sums up Viserys (although, to be fair, it’s easily done; the throne is made of swords). It’s thought Viserys contracted an infection through a cut, and clearly, despite love for his family and optimism for the future, he wasn’t cut out for the job.
Daemon Targaryen
Former Doctor Who, Matt Smith, cuts a charismatic and conniving figure as Daemon Targaryen. While a stone-cold antagonist at the beginning of House of The Dragon when he aligns with Goldcloaks against House Targaryen, reality is not as simple. He loves his brother Viserys and cares for Rhaenyra. Just when you’re ready to hate him, Daemon reveals a hidden redeeming quality. He’s set up to be one of season two’s best and most enigmatic characters.
Rhaenyra Targaryen
The face of House of the Dragon along with Alicent Hightower for a reason. Rhaenyra is a deeply complex, infinitely flawed, but never-less-than captivating character. As a teenager she’s always been gutsy, but as the show progresses, that bravery takes on new bounds when Rhaenyra uses what power she has to strike decisive blows against her enemies. Driven to do what’s right for not only herself but those she loves, Rhaenyra stops at nothing in her pursuit, even if it means crossing some lines most wouldn’t dare to.
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