The original "Game of Thrones" was fraught with deception and conflict. Therefore, it's not surprising that the prequel series "House of the Dragon" follows in the same footsteps. As a precursor, the series can only go so far before intersecting with the "Game of Thrones" narrative, with the famed Dance of the Dragons fight serving as the series climax. Consequently, "House of the Dragon" introduces a handful of individuals serving as crucial plot points in the future. This top ten list will focus on the most important among them.
10. Rickard Stark
Familiar surname and a potential fan-favorite character
A name that appears early in the "House of the Dragon" will catch "Game of Thrones" viewers' attention: Rickard Stark. In the books, he is known as 'Rickon,' although his name was presumably changed to distinguish him from Rickon Stark, Eddard Stark's youngest son. The Starks were fan favorites in "Game of Thrones," so seeing new family members in the prequel series is quite fascinating.
Rickard is seen in King's Landing at what appears to be a watershed political event, most likely the line of succession negotiations. Rickard vows allegiance to King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra, his designated heir. That suggests House Stark is a potentially crucial ally of the Princess in the looming civil war.
9. Jason & Tyland Lannister
Jamie and Cersei weren't the only Lannister twins
Though technically two individuals, Lord Jason Lannister of Casterly Rock and his twin brother Tyland (both played by Jefferson Hall), will undoubtedly have major political roles in "House of the Dragon." Therefore, they remain faithful to the Lannister namesake.
In "Game of Thrones," the Lannisters were notorious political schemers, so "House of the Dragon" pledges to retain that legacy. Tyland (in the books) is considered one of the key string pullers responsible for sowing the seeds of the Targaryen civil war. This is because he believes Viserys' son Aegon is the natural successor rather than his sister Rhaenyra.
8. Princess Rhaenys Velaryon
The Queen that never was will have her fingers in the quarrel
Rhaenys is a Targaryen family member who is wed to Corlys Velaryon. When her father passed away, her grandfather, the King, named his second-eldest son, Rhaenys' uncle Baelor, heir to the throne. That is as he believed that a male heir would be more suitable than Rhaenys herself. However, Baelor died before his father. Fearing civil strife, Jaehaerys delegated the decision to the Lords of Westeros. They ultimately chose Viserys, the male-line heir, to take the Iron Throne.
Rhaenys receives the moniker "The Queen Who Never Was" after being denied the throne twice. Rhaenys, who has firsthand experience with being pushed aside in favor of a male heir, could be an enormous asset for her cousin's daughter Rhaenyra, who confronts a similar fate.
7. Lord Corlys Velaryon
Cunning and capable sea commander and ruler
When "House of the Dragon" begins, Corlys is the head of House Velaryon. Houses Velaryon and Targaryen have sworn allies, having both arrived in Westeros from the devastated kingdom of Valyrian. He is a well-known royal navy captain and traveler known as 'The Sea Snake.'
Corlys is married to Rhaenys, a Targaryen princess. She was once denied her right to the throne in favor of a male heir - her cousin Viserys. As a result, the Velaryon and Targaryen families grew apart. Corlys is an intelligent politician and talented commander. Therefore, his connection to the Targaryen family ensures that he will play an essential role in the upcoming clash.
6. Prince Aegon Targaryen
Prince Aegon will be fascinating to look at
Aegon II Targaryen, often known as Aegon the Elder, was the sixth Targaryen monarch to sit on the Iron Throne when his father, Viserys I Targaryen, died. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, his older half-sister, and their father's designated heir, disputed his coronation. In the Dance of the Dragons war, Aegon and Rhaenyra fought for the crown.
Aegon married his younger sister, Helaena, and had three children with her, none of whom lived to adulthood. Sunfyre, often known as "the Golden," was his dragon. During the Dance, Aegon adopted a three-headed golden dragon as his personal symbol rather than the red three-headed Targaryen dragon, representing his ride.
5. Lady Alicent Hightower
She fights for her sons' rightful heirloom
Alicent, the daughter of the powerful Ser Otto Hightower, Hand of the King, becomes King Viserys' second wife after his first wife, Aemma, dies. Alicent has five offspring, three of whom have better claims to the throne than their older half-sister Rhaenyra under the rule of male-preference primogeniture. This rule was previously followed in Westeros until Viserys' reign.
Despite this, Viserys insists on keeping Rhaenyra first in line, causing a schism between Alicent and her stepdaughter Rhaenyra. "The House of the Dragon" teaser promised that Rhaenyra and Alicent's acrimonious rivalry would be the main feature of the show's first season.
4. Sir Otto Hightower
Strong Targaryen opposer became their great ally
Otto Hightower has the role of Hand of the King and the father of the King's second wife, Alicent Hightower. He is a strategic master manipulator and a strong opponent of the King's brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen. He considers Daemon's prospective claim to the throne one of the most severe threats to the Realm's security.
Otto's strong antipathy for Daemon prompts him to urge the King to name his sole live child, his daughter Rhaenyra, heir to the kingdom. When Otto's daughter Alicent weds the King and has three boys, he changes his tune. Consequently, he becomes one of the most vocal opponents of Rhaenyra's claim.
3. Prince Daemon Targaryen
Cruel and quick-tempered, he wants the throne for himself
Daemon is King Viserys' younger brother and a renowned warrior. Despite being erratic, ambitious, and bad-tempered, he maintains popularity and friendships in high places due to his military achievements. The sole nobleman he fails to persuade is Otto Hightower, who believes Daemon would be a cruel and oppressive ruler if he were to obtain the kingdom.
Otto persuades Viserys to name his only living child, Rhaenyra, successor to the kingdom, thereby pushing Daemon farther down the line of succession. Daemon eventually gains the upper hand by winning over his niece and gaining her favor, therefore avoiding Otto and Viserys entirely. In the Targaryen civil war, Daemon becomes one of Rhaenerys' closest allies.
2. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
This princess isn't a damsel in distress
Rhaenyra is King Viserys Targaryen's firstborn child and, for a time, his only living child. This prompted Viserys to name her successor to the kingdom, despite having a near male relative - a brother, Daemon - whose claim was stronger in the context of hereditary rule. Rhaenyra's inheritance of the Iron Throne is later jeopardized by the birth of three younger half-brothers.
Rhaenyra is depicted as proud, stubborn, and quick to anger in the novels. While it is unknown how long before the civil war in "House of the Dragon" will begin, their conflict looms big, suggesting Alicent pushing her boys - Rhaenyra's younger siblings - as rightful heirs over a female claimant.
1. King Viserys Targaryen
A wise and benevolent king is a rarity among Targaryen
Viserys is Westeros' aged King, having inherited the throne from his grandfather, King Jaehaerys. This ruler is known for being amiable, peace-loving, and averse to conflicts. Viserys breaches the practice of male-preference primogeniture by designating his daughter heir to prevent his closest male relative, his wild and malevolent brother Daemon, from gaining the throne.
Viserys marries again after Aemma's death and has three healthy sons with his new bride. Despite this, he refuses to depose Rhaenyra as first in the line of succession. Consequently, Rhaenyra's feud with her younger brother sparks the horrific Targaryen civil war.
"House of the Dragon" introduces a handful of characters who will serve as story elements in the future. The show begins with Jaehaerys, the former King, announcing Viserys as his heir instead of another Targaryen, Rhaenys. This is just the initiation of a series of wranglings and disputes about the authority and influence that comes with sitting on the Iron Throne. Although not every significant character in our top ten has a direct claim to the throne, they all play a paramount role in the broader plot.
Who is your favorite House of the Dragon character? Which characters would you like to see in the show?
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