House of the Dragon boasts one of the most impressive character ensembles on television, though some still stand out as the favorites. The Game of Thrones prequel follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, with the House of the Dragon cast stacked with prestigious film, television, and stage actors. The HBO series boasts one of the most talented casts ever, and they do an excellent job bringing to life the characters from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. Aside from solely the performance, several factors determine a TV character’s quality.
House of the Dragon is known for its complex figures, as battle lines have been drawn, and the series has been split into two factions: the Blacks and the Greens. After the House of the Dragon season 1 ending, the characters are divided, and there are likable and detestable figures on both sides. Complex characters like Alicent Hightower are often beloved for undergoing powerful arcs, while others, like Daemon Targaryen, are enjoyable almost purely for their entertainment factor. The HBO prequel offers an array of personalities, with a select few becoming fan favorites.
Rhaenys Targaryen is a fascinating character in theory, with the “Queen Who Never Was” backstory giving her one of the most jaded perceptions of King’s Landing politics and power. Not to mention, she’s also given tremendous heart and depth through a deep love for her children and grandchildren, which isn’t all that common in the world of Game of Thrones. Actress Eve Best is a pro, and she does a terrific job with the material in giving Rhaenys humanity and complexity, but she’s simply the least prevalent main character.
A TV series like House of the Dragon has a ton of characters to balance, from the main cast to recurring figures to one-offs, and Rhaenys primarily took the backseat in season 1. Unfortunately for her, the most prominent Rhaenys moment was her episode 9 King’s Landing escape, which was one of the biggest House of the Dragon book changes and was met with divisive responses from audiences. However, upcoming book events could make Rhaenys a more appreciated character in season 2.
Corlys Velaryon is another character who’s absolutely compelling in theory but doesn’t have enough opportunities to shine in House of the Dragon season 1. HBO hoped to pitch audiences on Corlys for an upcoming Game of Thrones spin-off centered on his extensive voyages around the world, but he hasn’t popped out enough to justify a prequel just yet. Corlys is an incredibly powerful figure during the Dance of the Dragons due to his house’s wealth and naval force, but like his wife, he’s commonly relegated to the background.
Veteran character actor Steve Toussaint plays Corlys Velaryon with the dignity and sophistication the character deserves. It’s likely that future seasons will see him stand out more, but much of his arc in season 1 was muffled by the more bombastic Targaryen personalities. The book version of Corlys Velaryon is one of Westeros’s most riveting figures, but he hasn’t had enough attention in House of the Dragon yet to compare.
Aegon II only appeared in the back half of House of the Dragon season 1, but he’s quickly established himself as one of the show’s more entertaining characters. Of course, the currently situated King of Westeros is one of the most despicable characters in either show, but the villains in George R.R. Martin’s world are often some of the most enjoyable personalities. Aegon II will continue to be a character audiences love to hate due to an outstanding performance from Tom Glynn-Carney.
Aegon has commonly been compared to Joffrey Baratheon from Game of Thrones, but he’s not quite the same. Joffrey has an evident hunger for power and sadism, while Aegon is portrayed as apathetic and pitiful. Not to say he’s sympathetic, but Aegon is far more of a confused mess than Joffrey, which poses a different element of danger when he’s the monarch. Aegon II may not be likable, but he’s precisely the type of character that makes George R.R. Martin’s stories so profoundly entertaining.
Otto Hightower is another character who doesn’t stand out as being particularly likable in season 1. Again, there are comparisons to be made to Game of Thrones characters, as he has elements of Littlefinger or Tywin Lannister. While Otto may be one of the most powerful House of the Dragon characters, he’s not quite as individually competent as either of them, which adds to his intrigue as an antagonist.
Welsh actor Rhys Ifans is one of the most experienced talents in the cast, and he terrifically balances two vital sides of Otto: the dignified nobleman and the petty, irritable man who can’t handle Daemon’s taunting. He’s not as composed as Tywin and not as tactical as Littlefinger, but he is a man who plays his position well and is willing to use extreme methods to advance himself and his house.
In House of the Dragon season 1, Criston Cole is another character who’s ridiculously easy to hate. However, Fabien Frankel deserves all the credit in the world for expertly playing both ends of the spectrum, as Cole was extraordinarily likable in the first few episodes. At first, Cole showed glimpses of traditional, noble fantasy heroes, not too dissimilar from Robb Stark or Jon Snow, but his relationship with Rhaenyra brought forth his true colors.
Criston Cole’s unique presence embodies one of the key differences between Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. While the original show is sprawling and epic, the prequel is far more intimate, personal, and, at times, animalistic. Criston Cole is a Westerosi knight who betrays his oaths because of his desires. He’s ruled by his feeling of need for Rhaenyra, and when that’s taken from him, his need turns into bitterness and hatred, even to the point of violence and murder. Cole is a fascinating antagonist who represents a dangerous form of masculinity.
In just the final few episodes of season 1, Aemond Targaryen went from being a supporting character as a child to a total scene stealer as an adult. Aemond goes through tremendous growth in season 1 through his childhood, from being an outcast second son to being one of the most prolific warriors of his era. Aemond rides the most powerful dragon in House of the Dragon, and is a deadly force for the Greens.
Ewan Mitchell does a terrific job at making Aemond an absolute force in every scene he steps into. Aemond is terrifying, but he also isn’t immune to showing signs of weakness and self-doubt. No matter how powerful he grows, the tormented child will always be a part of him, fueling his choices. Now that war has erupted in Westeros, Aemond will be one of the most exciting factors to watch as the Dance of the Dragons unfolds.
Leading into House of the Dragon, many readers anticipated Alicent to be the prequel’s version of Cersei, as she’s the queen whose sons sit on the throne. The fictional historical text of Fire & Blood portrays her as another power-hungry character, but the TV series humanizes her far more, offering commentary on how history might view a woman like Alicent, demonizing her in text. In the reality shown in the HBO series, Alicent has her faults, but she’s the most sympathetic character among her faction.
Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke offer differing but powerful portrayals, examining how Alicent was essentially used as a pawn by her father to advance their house’s power. Despite a shift in performers, the talent of the two actresses makes the transition feel seamless, and both versions are played with compelling drama and nuance.
While Alicent is the most sympathetic on the side that many view as being the antagonist, Daemon is the most despicable character among the protagonists. He’s not a hero and shouldn’t really even be seen as the anti-hero, but the show’s perspective plants him in a favorable position where he becomes a character to root for. Daemon is an unequivocally bad person, but he’s still a fan favorite in the series.
A significant reason why so many audiences are drawn to Daemon is due to Matt Smith’s performance. Audiences love charismatic and morally ambiguous characters, and while Daemon pushes the boundaries of that ambiguity, he undoubtedly has a dangerous charisma that draws audiences in. Smith is a charming actor, and aspects of Daemon’s rebellious, anti-establishment personality make him incredibly enjoyable to watch.
Viserys Targaryen didn’t make it through House of the Dragon season 1, as the years depicted on the show saw his health declining severely until his passing at the end of episode 8. In a short span of time, Viserys, nicknamed “Vizzy T” by fans on the internet, became an iconic fan favorite. Viserys’ merits as a ruler are arguable, but he’s certainly one of the most likable characters in either Game of Thrones universe show.
The character’s success is, in large part, due to the excellence of actor Paddy Considine, who offered Viserys a delicate sensitivity that allowed him to stand out in the generally cruel ensemble. In a world where audiences have seen monarchs like Joffrey, Cersei, Balon Greyjoy, Stannis Baratheon, and more, Viserys’ natural charm and decency are a breath of fresh air. Considine plays the character in a way that balances elegance with scene-stealing entertainment.
