We Introduce The Main Characters And Houses In The House Of The Dragon Series. Who Are The Targaryens And Their Allies?

The House of the Dragon series takes place 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. So it's only natural that a number of well-known houses that have lived in Westeros for millennia would make an appearance. We've already seen some of them in the pilot of House of the Dragon, but in some cases their names are only mentioned once and their faces don't say anything to you. So let's introduce them.

The House of Targaryen

This is the main genus of the entire series, whose story is based on the book Dance of the Dragons. House Targaryen will be followed throughout the series and will also have the largest representation in terms of main characters.

Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine)

Viserys is the fifth king of Westeros of the House of Targaryen. The head of the family has a bit of a problem with his successor to the throne at the beginning of the series. However, Viserys' wife is pregnant and he is convinced that she will bear him a boy. After all, no woman "can" sit on the Iron Throne. Viserys is a sensible and good man, which his enemies are happy to take advantage of. However, he has already shown in the first episode what he is capable of in pursuit of his goals, so he is not to be underestimated.

Rhaenyra Targaryen (young actress: Milly Alcock, adult actress: Emma D’Arcy)

Viserys' daughter is a prudent young princess who can be dangerous, but is also capable of showing a great deal of compassion and tenderness. She rides a dragon named Syrax.

Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best)

King Jaeherys' granddaughter, as his eldest descendant, had the greatest right to the royal crown, but the council decided that a woman would not sit on the coveted throne, so her cousin Viserys became king. Rhaenys is nicknamed The Queen Who Never Was. She married Lord Corlys Velaryon, the richest man in Westeros, who we'll talk more about below.

Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith)

Viserys' younger brother claims the right to the Iron Throne as the closest male descendant/successor of House Targaryen on Viserys' side. He is ambitious, but makes rash decisions, and is thus both dangerous and unpredictable. He rides a dragon named Caraxes and is a very skilled swordsman.

The House of Baratheon a the House of Stark

It was the Baratheons who dethroned the Targaryens and ruled Westeros until the cunning Lannisters invaded their family. They won't have much of a place in the House of the Dragon series, however. House Stark, who helped the Baratheons defeat the Targaryens, should be similarly situated.

If the showrunners stick to the book, neither of these Houses will probably have a major role at the beginning of the story. In the first part, we saw at least their lords from both houses swearing allegiance to the king and princess.

The House of Hightower

The Hightowers are close to the Tyrrell family. This is a noble and respected family in Westeros.

Otto Hightower

Otto is the right hand of King Viserys and his close friend. He sees Daemon as a great threat to Westeros, as he believes he can destabilize the entire House. His goal is to get his daughter Alicent closer to the Iron Throne.

Alicent Hightower (younger actress: Emily Carey, adult actress: Olivia Cooke)

Alicent has been best friends with Rhaenyra of the Targaryen clan since she was very young. She is also her advisor and confidante. In the first parts, as in the case of Rhaenyra, we will see a younger version of her, while in the later ones we will move forward in the plot a few years and the character will be played by a new actress Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One).

The House of Velaryon

This is a very important family that controls the waterways in Westeros. In the time of House of the Dragon, it is extremely powerful, but by the time of Game of Thrones, we don't even hear of its members anymore.

Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussant)

The head of the house is Lord Corlys Velaryon, the richest man in Westeros, husband of Rhaenys Targaryen and a famous seafarer with the most powerful ocean army far and wide. His adventures and exploits at sea earned him the nickname The Sea Snake.

The House of Lannister

Its members have an important role in the story in the book, but we haven't seen them yet in the first part. In future episodes, they will be replaced by actor Jefferson Hall in the dual role of twins Tyland and Jason Lannister.