House of the Dragon back fans of game of thrones to the complex world of political intrigue and fire-breathing dragons created by the American author George RR Martin. Set over a hundred years earlier game of thronesfollows the events of The Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between two factions of House Targaryen over who will sit on the Iron Throne.
On the one hand there are the blacks, loyal to the eldest girl, Queen Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock i Emma D'Arcy), and on the other, the Greens, loyal to the eldest son, King Aegon II (Ty Tennant i Tom Glynn-Carney).
The show is filled with many multi-faceted characters brought to life by talented actors, many of whom match some of the best characters of game of thrones Of course, a cast as large as this show often overlooks several characters, but these underappreciated characters have many good qualities.
10 Ser Harold Westerling
Played by Graham McTavish
One of the seven knights of the Kingsguard under Jaehaerys, Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish) becomes Lord Commander under Viserys when the previous one dies. He fulfills his duty with utmost care, guarding the royal family and offering advice when appropriate. As the Greens make their move after Viserys' death, Harrold steps down as Lord Commander and leaves, opening the door for Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) to take the position.
Harrold Westerling is the ideal white knight to compare to Criston, and he fills that role perfectly. Compared to Criston's fall from grace, or the various Kingsguard of game of thrones that felt more like upstanding thugs, Harrold always does his duty and would rather resign his position than soil his cloak with plots and backstabbing. He may not have had much to do, but his presence in the Red Keep ensured that there was some chivalry, and McTavish's performance gives him wisdom and power.
9 Tyland Lannister
Performed by Jefferson Hall
The younger twin of the lord of Casterly Rock, Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall), Tyland (Jefferson Hall) takes over as shipmaster when Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) goes to war on the Stepstones. Although not as proud as his brother, Tyland proves to be a diligent servant and often leads council meetings by raising important issues. After Viserys' death, Tyland is made Master of Coin by Aegon II.
Tyland is an interesting addition to the mighty and proud House Lannister. Unlike his brother, Tyland has a shrewd mind, which makes him well-suited for politics because he can visualize the bigger picture. He is sometimes looked down upon due to his milder personality, but ultimately he just wants to do what he can to ensure stability and peace.
8 Lord Lyman Beesbury
Played by Bill Paterson
Lord of Honeyholt and Master of the Mint, Lyman Beesbury (Bill Paterson), has held his position since the time of King Jaehaerys I (Michael Carter). Although his mind begins to fail him in his older years, he remains a dutiful member of Viserys I's Small Council (Paddy Considine). Unfortunately, this loyalty leads to her death at the hands of Ser Criston, when she refuses to allow the Greens to usurp Rhaenyra's birthright.
Beesbury is, for the most part, treated as the geriatric member of the Small Council, but proves to be one of the most honorable characters on the show. Most people look down on him for the way his mind wanders, but when the Greens start plotting, he doesn't hesitate to call them out on their treachery. It serves as a reminder that courage can come to people regardless of age, and sometimes you have to stand up for what's right, regardless of the risks.
7 Mysaria
Performed by Sonoya Mizuno
Taken as a slave during her youth, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) spent his whole life trying to escape from living in fear of powerful men. Using his cunning and his body when he had to, he worked his way through the ranks of King's Landing, eventually becoming an intelligence agent known as the White Worm. During this time, he made connections with the likes of Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans).
Mysaria fulfills a similar role in House of the Dragon like Varys (Hill of Conleth) in game of thrones: both are people who start at the bottom of society and strive with cunning and using information to their advantage. While Varys wanted to help the kingdom in general, Mysaria is focused on smaller things, like trying to get rid of the fighting pits that use children as gladiators. Unfortunately, she proves to be less cunning than the spider and loses everything when she fails to predict what kind of man Otto Hightower is.
6 King Aeogn Targaryen II
Played by Ty Tennant and Tom Glynn-Carney
Since Viserys wanted Rhaenyra to be his heir, Aegon grew up believing he was free to do as he pleased. Unfortunately, his grandfather, Otto, and his mother, Alicent (Emily Carey i Olivia Cooke) believed that he should take the throne to ensure the safety of his family. The only problem is that Aegon is very incapable of ruling, he cares more about indulging his own pleasures and making decisions based on emotion rather than logic.
Aegon is one of those despicable characters as a person, but Glynn-Carney's performance does a phenomenal job of helping you empathize with him. The show emphasizes how Aegon's behavior stems from his terrible upbringing, being ignored by his father and seen as a pawn by his mother. While this does not excuse his most deplorable actions, it reminds the audience that no one is truly born evil.
5 Queen Helaena Targaryen
Played by Evie Allen and Phia Saban
The only daughter of Viserys and Queen Alicent Hightower, Helaena Targaryen (Evie Allen i Phia Saban) is perhaps the sweetest member of his family. Instead of plotting and scheming, he prefers to spend time with his young children or to look at insects. He also has a habit of saying cryptic things that his family dismisses as nonsense, but often coincide with tragedies in their lives.
Helaena is one of the nicest members of the Green faction because she holds no ill will towards anyone. This makes it all the more unfortunate that bad things keep happening to her beyond her control, and she has no support from her family, who look down on her. Her prophetic utterances give her a Cassandra-like role on the show, where she is constantly warning others of tragedy, only to be ignored because no one understands her.
4 Laenor Velaryon
Played by Theo Nate and John Macmillan
The son of Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best), Ser Laenor (Theo Nate i John Macmillan), was born with an adventurous spirit. He longed to sail the seas like his famous father or go to war on the back of his dragon, Seasmoke. However, he is betrothed to Rhaenyra to repair the rift between the Targaryens and the Velaryons, but cannot have children with her due to her sexual preference.
Laenor is the tragic case of a good man whose life is dictated by the society in which he lives. He does his best to be a good husband and father to Rhaenyra's three bastard children, but as Rhaenyra keeps him close to home, he becomes miserable and turns to drink and men. Macmillan does a wonderful job of showing all the complex aspects of Laenor, especially when he and Rhaenyra talk to each other privately about the effects of their sham marriage.
3 Prince Lucerys Velaryon
Played by Harvey Sadler and Elliot Grihault
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The second son of Rhaenyra and her lover, Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr), Lucerys Velaryon (Harvey Sadler i Elliot Grihault), is chosen by Corlys to one day succeed him as lord of Driftmark and head of House Velaryon. However, Luke does not want Driftmark and would rather spend his time with his family. When war breaks out in Westeros, he flies to Storm's End as a messenger to bring the Baratheons to his mother's cause, leading to a deadly encounter between him and his uncle, Aemond Targaryen (Leo Ashton i Ewan Mitchell).
Lucerys is one of the most tragic characters in either show because he is the only one who understands the cost of power. Since the only way he can inherit is if his family members are dead, Luke would gladly give up everything to spend more time with his living members. Unfortunately, he is another victim of society and the people who dictate it, with his death foreshadowing the cost of dragons in war.
2 Prince Jacaerys Velaryon
Played by Leo Hart and Harry Collett
Rhaenyra and Harwin's eldest son, Jacaerys Velaryion (Leo Hart i Harry Collett) was told from an early age that one day he would inherit the Iron Throne. Instead of resting on his laurels, Jace dedicates himself to being the best prince he can be by focusing on his studies. When war breaks out, he takes an active role and offers to be the ones to personally recruit the Lords of Westeros to his mother's cause, with him and Luke.
Jace is the closest House of the Dragon he has a real hero. He is a prince who cares about his people and knows how to behave with noble lords with respect while showing that he has the conviction to fight when necessary. Unfortunately, as with game of thrones'heroic protagonist, Jon Snow (Kit Harington), Jace's status as a bastard makes him quickly dismissed by others, but he doesn't let that distract him from his duties.
1 Lionel Strong
Played by Gavin Spokes
Serving as Law Master to King Viserys, Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) is the lord of Harrenhal, a castle with a dark and cursed history. Unlike all the other members of Viserys' council, Lyonel is more concerned with the stability of the kingdom than furthering his ambition. For this loyal service, Viserys makes him Hand of the King after dismissing Otto Hightower, but Otto was reinstated when Luonal died in a fire.
Lyonel Strong is one of the best Hands of the King in both shows. He's the kind of advisor who tells the king exactly what he needs to hear, even if it's not what he wants to hear, because that's what's best for the betterment of the kingdom and the lives of all who live in it. Integrity means everything to Lyonel, to the point where he was willing to give up his position as Hand because of Harwin's relationship with Rhaenyra, and was only stopped by Viserys' order. This results in his death at the hands of his son, Larys (Matthew Needham), even more tragic.
