27 Best ‘House of the Dragon’ Characters, Ranked

Nobody was actually positive what to make of House of the Dragon earlier than the sequence made its debut again within the fall of 2022. Though Game of Thrones was a wildly in style present throughout its preliminary run on HBO, the ending left most with a foul style of their mouths. Might this prequel sequence measure as much as the unique and in addition eliminate the stink of that finale? Seems, sure, it completely can.

Set over 100 years earlier than the occasions of Thrones, Home of the Dragon seems to be at Home Targaryen on the top of its energy, and proper earlier than it loses all that energy to a vicious civil struggle known as the Dance of the Dragons. As was the norm in Sport of Thrones, the prequel sequence is packed filled with characters (most of them Targaryens) as two half-siblings vie for the Iron Throne. Now that we’re on the finish of Season 2, let’s check out this huge solid of character from Home of the Dragon and see the place they fall from worst to finest. Some may be increased on the listing due to their likability, or their actors’ performances, whereas others may be decrease because of what little we find out about them.

27 Lucerys “Luke” Velaryon

Portrayed by Elliot Grihault and Harvey Sadler (younger)

Luke is much from the worst character of the sequence, however of the group, he is on the backside of the listing purely as a result of we simply did not know him very properly, and what little we did know of him wasn’t extraordinarily attention-grabbing. Certain, him unintentionally blinding Aemond sped up the timeline of the civil struggle inside the household; it actually was a turning level within the relationship between the Blacks and the Greens.

However Luke primarily acts extra like a plot gadget than a completely fledged character. His brutal death by Vhagar was most likely the most effective dramatic scene he is been in. And whereas his scenes with Ewan Mitchell‘s Aemond might need been attention-grabbing in Season 1, Aemond’s scenes along with his brother in Season 2 far overshadow that.

26 Harwin Robust

Portrayed by Ryan Corr

So far as males go on this world, Harwin Robust might be one of many extra sincere and noble males. As Rhaenyra’s secret (and maybe not-so-secret) child daddy, we merely weren’t given sufficient time with him.

Harwin’s best sin was that he could not appear to maintain it in his pants, in the end resulting in his dismissal and return to Harrenhal, the place each he and his father unwittingly died by the hands of his brother. However, contemplating how charismatic Princess Rhaenyra is, we are able to hardly blame him for that.

25 Laenor Velaryon

Portrayed by John Macmillan, Theo Nate (younger), and Matthew Carver (youngster)

Laenor’s solely downside was that he was born as a homosexual man in a world that was inherently homophobic. As acknowledged by Rhaenyra, he is a very good man with a very good coronary heart, which is uncommon in a spot like Westeros. He is a good father to his children despite knowing they aren’t biologically his and has a very good rapport with Rhaenyra regardless of the scrutiny they confronted in King’s Touchdown.

His survival (a deviation from the guide) presents some pretty big plot issues that Season 2 completely sidestepped, nevertheless it’s arduous to not want the most effective for Laenor after every thing he is been via. Whereas we would not rule out a cameo sooner or later, we hope he is blissful on the market in Essos, away from the drama of Westeros.

24 Ulf the White

Portrayed by Tom Bennett

Among the many bastard dragonseeds, I feel we are able to safely say that whereas Ulf looks as if a enjoyable man to get a drink with, he is not precisely the most effective of individuals. Considerably dishonorable, disrespectful, and a consummate fibber, he is misplaced amongst royals and nobles (even when he’s possible Rhaenyra’s uncle). However that is additionally what makes him a recent breath of air.

Beneath no illusions,Ulf understands that he holds a large amount of power as a dragonseed, even when he’s lowborn and crass, the Blacks want him and his newly claimed dragon Silverwing. Plus, it was a hoot watching Tom Bennett journey his dragon like somebody using a bucking bronco at a rustic music bar.

23 Rhaena Targaryen

Portrayed by Phoebe Campbell and Eva Ossei-Gerning (younger)

Rhaena’s insecurity in relation to the truth that she is the one youngster to not have a dragon is what makes her attention-grabbing. After loads of hypothesis in Season 2, it is changing into clear to those that have learn the Hearth & Blood guide by George R. R. Martin that in contrast to her guide counterpart, she’s going to possible declare the rideable wild dragon known as Sheepstealer .

Being relegated to taking good care of the youngsters, we see Rhaena get determined as she is compelled to depart the Vale and take off into the wilderness to search out the wild dragon, lastly coming into contact with it after days of looking out. We do not get sufficient of her story in Season 2 to justify the next rating, however may that change sooner or later?

22 Laena Velaryon

Portrayed by Nanna Blondell, Savannah Steyn (younger), and Nova Foueillis-Mosé (youngster)

Maybe if we had spent extra time with Laena Velaryon, she’d be even increased up on this listing, however sadly she died halfway via Season 1. As the previous rider of Vhagar, we all know that she claimed the dragon at a younger age. She pursued Daemon, and she or he selected her personal destiny, even if it ended up being a major deviation from the book. Within the temporary time we get to know her in Episode 6, it is clear that not solely is she a very good mom and a loving sister, however she additionally is aware of Daemon higher than he is aware of himself.

Surprisingly, she made a return to the screen in Season 2 when Daemon (Matt Smith) was at Harrenhal. Her ghost was a solemn reminder of Daemon’s errors up to now and in addition a reminder to Daemon to take care of his oft-neglected daughters. Although we do not see the place that storyline goes in Season 2, there’s room to develop in Season 3.

21 Gwayne Hightower

Portrayed by Freddie Fox

Gwayne came into the story without much fanfare , and though he had some good scenes with Criston (Fabien Frankel) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) his character merely exists in Season 2. Sadly, it typically seems like his character is in scenes for the present to provide Criston a personality to talk to.

The truth is, most of his scenes contain both wanting down on Criston for his lowborn standing or watching Criston lead a military whereas he commentates on the sidelines. Hopefully, if Otto (Rhys Ifans) performs a bigger function in Season 3 or if we meet Daeron, Gwayne may also get extra to do on display screen.

20 Corlys Velaryon

Portrayed by Steve Toussaint

Corlys is an advanced character. As one of many richest males in Westeros due to his years of exploring the world, he’s proud and egotistical. This interprets as conceitedness when he and Daemon wage a war with out the crown’s assist in Season 1. However he’s additionally a person who’s prepared to look previous the truth that his grandkids are clearly not biologically his and love them. However Corlys has fallen within the rankings since Season 1 due to the straightforward undeniable fact that, so far as being a dad or mum goes, he sucks.

Not solely was he much less tolerant of Laenor’s sexuality, however he by no means even acknowledged Addam (Clinton Liberty) or Alyn (Abubakar Salim) rising up. Even Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) despatched gold to his bastards. Though he is a posh character, filled with nuance, and Steve Toussaint is wonderful to look at on display screen, now we have to decrease his rankings on the listing.

19 Addam of Hull

Portrayed by Clinton Liberty

Brother to Alyn (Abubakar Salim), Addam has the same bastard chip on his shoulder , however his standing as a dragonrider has lifted his standing in life. It is arduous to not benefit from the scene the place Seasmoke chases him down like a puppy dog in order that he can declare a brand new rider. Him and Alyn have an attention-grabbing dynamic as properly.

Whereas Alyn fully rejects any connection to his Velaryon roots, together with shaving his silver hair, Addam appears determined for the acknowledgment of their father, who by no means even spared him a thought. With Seasmoke, this places him in proximity to Corlys, and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see the place they take him in future seasons now that he is a part of Rhaenyra’s military.

18 Hugh Hammer

Portrayed by Kieran Bew

It wasn’t arduous to see the writing on the wall when it got here to Hugh’s character. An unlimited departure from his Hearth & Blood model, Hugh starts off as a family man and somebody loyal to Aegon’s crown. He’s a blacksmith who builds scorpion bolts for the king, however when the struggle begins, and the blockade makes life infinitely worse in King’s Touchdown, we watch as Hugh’s life undergoes a metamorphosis. His daughter dies, and he makes the perilous journey to Dragonstone to assert a dragon.

As the alleged son of Saera Targaryen , he’s cousin to Daemon and Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), making him the grandson of Jaehaerys. This is smart as he goes on to assert Jaehaerys’ fierce dragon, Vermithor , in some of the badass dragon-claiming scenes so far.

17 Alys Rivers

Portrayed by Gayle Rankin

Half therapist, half witch, my emotions about Alys Rivers are just a little difficult. Whereas Gayle Rankin performs her masterfully, leaning into the weirdness of the character, it feels just like the character has been defanged a bit.

Whereas the guide model of Alys very a lot had extra egocentric motivations, Alys within the present does not appear to have a transparent aim for her actions. Within the Season 2 finale, she exhibits Daemon a imaginative and prescient of the Tune of Ice and Hearth, which leads him to lastly consider in it, so may she be one thing greater than human?

16 Ser Simon Robust

Portrayed by Simon Russell Beale

If I have been braver and extra unhinged, Ser Simon Strong and the ratcatcher’s dog can be on the high of this listing. Maybe that is what comes of placing a stage actor in a present like Home of the Dragon, however Sir Simon Russell Beale grew to become one among my favourite actors of the season.

e had wonderful chemistry performing with Matt Smith and typically performed like a comic book aid counterpart to Daemon as he spiraled. And we won’t neglect the truth that he sided with Rhaenyra after accurately deducing that Larys (Matthew Needham) killed his father and brother, after which when he feared Daemon would activate Rhaenyra, he despatched a raven to her to name her to come back and face him. All of us want a Simon Robust in our lives, and I will be devastated if we do not see extra of him in Season 3.

15 Rhaenys Targaryen

Portrayed by Eve Greatest

The Queen Who Never Was might need been grating to some together with her fixed demand for pacifism despite the fact that the struggle had totally begun, however when push got here to shove, it was amazing to see her ride her dragon Meleys and tackle Vhagar with out worry and with out relenting. Rhaenys is without doubt one of the extra difficult characters within the present.

She does not appear to love Rhaenyra very a lot, and but she backs her fiercely and, ultimately, offers her life for the trigger. I do not love how she handled Rhaenyra’s sons, however Eve Best’s portrayal of the princess is top-notch and watching her in “The Purple Dragon and the Gold” will carry me to tears each time. Rhaenys will at all times get factors for being a basic badass at Rook’s Relaxation.

14 Alyn of Hull

Portrayed by Abubakar Salim

A lot of this increased rating goes to Abubakar Salim’s improbable efficiency and scene with Steve Toussaint within the last episode of Season 2. Within the scene, Alyn lastly says what we have been all pondering. It was solely till Corlys had no different possibility, when his kids and his inheritor died, that he determined to carry his bastard sons again into the fold.

For a personality we as soon as seen as honorable, it is a robust tablet to swallow that Corlys may not be the best man. Alyn’s own rejection of his Valyrian heritage can also be intriguing. Though it would increase his standing and he would possibly acquire the next place in society, Alyn makes it clear he desires nothing to do with the person who deserted his personal kids to starve.

13 Baela Targaryen

Portrayed by Bethany Antonia and Shani Smethurst (younger)

Baela is one other character who has loads of potential. In Season 2, lots of her scenes contain talking with Jace (Harry Collett) and supporting him in his struggles. We obtained a fantastic chase scene with her on her dragon Moondancer when dealing with up towards Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower. However I want there was extra.

Within the temporary second we see between her and her father, you possibly can already inform there’s loads of materials to mine there. Baela has a lot extra potential, however the writers want to provide her extra to do earlier than she will get increased up on this listing.

12 Otto Hightower

Portrayed by Rhys Ifans

It is troublesome to take a look at Otto Hightower and never see him as preincarnation of Charles Dance‘s Tywin Lannister. Scheming, intelligent, and a grasp puppeteer, we watch as Otto not solely positions his daughter to be the queen after the demise of Aemma (Siân Brooke) but additionally plans for his grandson to take his place on the throne quite than Rhaenyra. There’s little to redeem him, however he is additionally one of many present’s most attention-grabbing characters. Rhys Ifans performs him masterfully with out robbing him of his humanity.

Otto’s downfall in Season 2 was a fantastic little arc for the beginning of the season, as he’s changed by a extra zealous and violent Criston Cole, however sadly, he is solely round for a number of episodes. The temporary second we see him within the finale, it is clear that one thing has occurred to him. Though Aemond desires him again as Hand, it does not seem to be that shall be potential.

11 Helaena Targaryen

Portrayed by Phia Saban and Evie Allen (younger)

After we initially meet Helaena, she is a meek and soft-spoken lady who murmurs beneath her breath. However whereas it is not clear if Viserys actually is a dreamer like he purports, Helaena truly is. She will be able to see the long run, and although in Season 1 that usually meant she was simply saying obscure sentences that have been troublesome to interpret, Season 2 slowly offers her visions extra form.

Within the finale of Season 2, we instantly see her in one among Daemon’s visions, and she or he tells Aemond about his demise. Although she was underutilized within the present, primarily centered throughout the Blood and Cheese scene in Episode 1, every scene she’s in is intriguing, and Phia Saban performs her as each enigmatic and threatening in addition to light and fragile.

10 Larys Robust

Portrayed by Matthew Needham

Whereas initially Larys Robust might need been introduced as a Tyrion-esque (Peter Dinklage) character who appeared to grasp the political recreation properly, he quickly revealed himself to be a snake within the grass and extra in step with Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen). Season 1 leaned far into his alliance with Alicent and went so far as to have him sexually assault and coerces Alicent to show him her feet in exchange for information. However Season 2 pushes him up this rating and into the highest ten.

The present places him in a much more attention-grabbing place as he tries to endear himself to Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) after the battle at Rook’s Rest . His dialog about what it’s wish to be seen as disabled on this world is the deepest perception we have gotten into his character, and the way in which Season 2 ends guarantees extra intriguing scenes between Matthew Needham and Glynn-Carney sooner or later.

9 Mysaria

Portrayed by Sonoya Mizuno

A girl of the folks, Mysaria has come a good distance from after we first met her Looking for primary can typically be seen as callous, however Mysaria appears to know precisely what she desires. Initially a intercourse employee who gained the favor of Daemon, she fashioned herself as a spymaster in Season 1; somebody who was capable of even go toe-to-toe with Otto Hightower. Season 2 not solely sheds Mysaria of her weird Season 1 accent (thank god) however offers us a more in-depth have a look at the character as she grows near Rhaenyra.

Her surprising and steamy kiss with Rhaenyra was some of the shocking moments of the season, however her influence on the struggle and the Blacks’ success is much extra important. It is improbable to get to see extra of Sonoya Mizuno, and her chemistry with each Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy makes her scenes thrilling.

8 Jacaerys “Jace” Velaryon

Portrayed by Harry Collett and Leo Hart (younger)

As Rhaenyra’s inheritor, Jace naturally has a bit extra character than the remainder of the youngsters. He has needed to reside with the truth that he is the illegitimate son of Harwin Robust and Rhaenyra and faces this straight on in Season 2 when Rhaenyra brings in the lowborn Valyrian bastards to claim dragons .

A lot of Harry Collett’s scenes this season concerned dealing with off with Emma D’Arcy, and it is clear the 2 actors have a terrific rapport. Jace embodies loads of the hearth that Targaryens have, and when his mom hesitates in struggle, he pushes her to behave. Greater than only a fairly face, Collett actually steps up in Season 2 and stands out in each scene he is in.