The House of the Dragon cast swelled to include a long list of prominent figures as the action played out in the lead-up to the Dance of Dragons that's coming in House of the Dragon season 2.
Set hundreds of years prior to the events of HBO's original fantasy saga, House of the Dragon season one transported us to a Westeros that was still ruled by the Targaryens and their closest allies.
Based on George R. R. Martin's book, Fire & Blood, the first season showed us what the Seven Kingdoms were like when dragons (and their masters) ruled the skies. There, we watched as the Targaryen dynasty began to fracture under the weight of King Viserys' decision to name his daughter, Rhaenyra Targaryen, as his sole heir.
Below, you can find info about some of the most prominent figures from the House of the Dragon cast so far. For more detail, it's also worth checking out HBO's interactive House of the Dragon character guide.
*This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 1*
Who's in the House of the Dragon cast?
Paddy Considine as Viserys Targaryen
Viserys was the ruler sitting atop the Iron Throne for most of House of the Dragon season 1. He succeeded his grandfather, Old King Jaehaerys and seeks to continue House Targaryen's legacy where he can; he was a good man, but not necessarily the best or most effective leader.
Where else have you seen Paddy Considine?
Paddy Considine has been on our screens in TV and film since 1999 in a variety of projects, including 24 Hour Party People, Hot Fuzz, Submarine, Pride, Peaky Blinders, Funny Cow and The Outsider, among others.
Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen
Prince Daemon is the younger brother of King Viserys and the original heir to the Iron Throne since Viserys had no male heirs and coveted the title of Prince of Dragonstone.
Initially, he grew hardened against his brother. By the end of season one, though, Daemon and Rhaenyra are wed, and he's become a fierce supporter of Rhaenyra's claim to the Iron Throne. He's sure to use his skills as a capable (but sometimes cruel) fighter to good effect in the Dance of the Dragons.
When WTW spoke to Matt Smith, he described Prince Daemon as "a very complex character" and someone who is "ambitious and ruthless" with a set of values that differ from other people.
Where else have you seen Matt Smith?
Matt's biggest role to date is likely his star turn as the 11th Doctor in Doctor Who. Since handing the keys to the TARDIS over, he's had roles in The Crown, Last Night in Soho and Morbius.
Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
Princess Rhaenyra was Viserys' first and only child from his first marriage to Queen Aemma Arryn. She had practically every quality you could want in an heir in Westeros: she's of pure Valyrian blood and she's a dragonrider... the only thing that stood in her way was that she wasn't a man. Although she was formally sworn in as Viserys' rightful heir, many figures in King's Landing and beyond took issue with the line of succession.
As of the series finale, she is poised for the impending civil war with Alicent's family.
Where else have you seen Emma D'Arcy?
Emma has also appeared in Wild Bill, Hanna, Misbehaviour, Mothering Sunday and had a major role alongside Nick Frost in Truth Seekers.
Milly Alcock (Upright) played a younger version of Princess Rhaenyra in the earlier parts of the first season.
Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower
Ser Otto Hightower served as the Hand of the King to Viserys, a loyal servant of the realm. As far as Ser Otto is concerned, the biggest threat to Westeros was Daemon, though across the course of the season, he was desperate to get his own grandchildren onto the Iron Throne and succeeded in crowning Aegon II as the new King after Viserys' death.
Where else have you seen Rhys Ifans?
He played Luna Lovegood's father, Xenophilius, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, The Lizard in The Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Mycroft in Elementary, Rasputin in The King's Man and he had major roles in Temple and Berlin Station
Olivia Cooke Alicent Hightower
Queen Alicent Hightower is Otto's daughter and was married to Viserys before his death. Being the daughter of the Hand of the King, she's enjoyed many privileges throughout her life. Raised within the Red Keep (the castle in King's Landing) and amongst King Viserys's trusted inner circle, Alicent is both beautiful and politically minded, and champions her own family's right to rule.
Where else have you seen Olivia Cooke? Olivia has been featured in Vanity Fair, Bates Motel, Slow Horses and Modern Love. She also played a main role in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Ready Player One.
Emily Carey (Casualty) portrays the younger version of Alicent Hightower in the show.
Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen
Like Daemon and Rhaenyra, Rhaenys is a dragonrider. In the past, she was in line for the Iron Throne but was passed over in favor of her cousin, Viserys, simply for the fact she was female and he was not, hence her title "The Queen Who Never Was." She is married to Corlys Velaryon, a powerful Lord, though the lead up to the Dance of the Dragons brought much trouble to their door.
Where else have you seen Eve Best?
Eve Best is likely best known for having played Dr. Eleanor O'Hara in Nurse Jackie and for her appearances in The Honourable Woman and The King's Speech. More recently, she appeared in Lucky Man, A Woman of No Importance and Fate: The Winx Saga.
Steven Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon
Lord Corlys Velaryon — otherwise known as "The Sea Snake" — is a sailor whose adventures have made him a true legend across Westeros. He's the head of House Velaryon, a Valyrian bloodline as old as the Targaryens; he built House Velaryon into a true seat of power, one which claims to have the largest navy in the world and that is even wealthier than the Lannisters.
Where else have you seen Steve Toussaint?
Steve Toussaint has appeared in a variety of British dramas over the years, including appearances in The Bill, Holby City, Silent Witness, Scott & Bailey, Death in Paradise and Lewis, along with film roles in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Judge Dredd. Recently, he's featured in It's A Sin, Small Axe and Before We Die.
Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole
Ser Criston Cole is not a lord or lady. He's Dornish, a common-born man who is the son of the current steward to the Lord of Blackhaven. He makes up for his lack of any claim to land or titles with his impressive swordplay and his own personal honor. He was once a paramour of Rhaenyra; having been spurned, he's now a close ally of Alicent Hightower.
Where else have you seen Fabien Frankel? Fabien Frankel is a British stage performer, but he's also been seen in The Serpent and in Last Christmas, which featured Game of Thrones alum, Emilia Clarke.
Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
Mysaria came to Westeros with nothing and has been bought and sold over and over again. What's unique is that she did not wilt in Westeros, but instead rose to prominence and forged a strong bond with Prince Daemon to become his paramour and an unlikely ally.
Where else have you seen Sonoya Mizuno? Fans of Alex Garland's work will recognize Sonoya from both Annihilation and Ex Machina, but Sonoya has also appeared in Devs, Crazy Rich Asians, Maniac and La La Land.
Matthew Needham as Larys Strong
Larys Strong is the second son of Lord Lyonel Strong. Cruelly nicknamed "The Clubfoot" on account of his physical disability, Larys is still a very impactful member of court who is clued into the latest goings-on in Westeros. Across season one he develops a secretive alliance with Alicent, putting him in a very powerful position.
Where else have you seen Matthew Needham? Needham has made guest appearances in TV series such as Doctor Who, Sanditon, Casualty, Sherlock, and Endeavour, and he had a role in The Ritual
Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling
Former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Harrold Westerling is one of the most honorable men at court. He served proudly as the head of the Kingsguard, but refused to follow the orders of Otto Hightower when the Greens stole the Iron Throne and named Aegon as the new king out of loyalty to Viserys' wish to see Rhaenyra on the throne.
Where else have you seen Graham McTavish? Scottish actor Graham McTavish is likely best known as Dwalin, one of the dwarves in The Hobbit trilogy, though he also appears in The Witcher, Preacher, Outlander, Prison Break and Taggart, and and he lent his voice to Dracula in Netflix's animated Castlevania adaptation.
Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen II
Aegon was Viserys and Alicent's first child together, making him the heir to Viserys' throne in many people's eyes. However, he is seemingly indifferent to his responsibilities, preferring instead to drink and harass women working in the castle. He tried to flee King's Landing before he was crowned the new King by Otto and Alicent.
David Tennant's son Ty Tennant played the younger version of Aegon earlier in the series.
Where else have you seen Tomy Glynn-Carney? Glynn-Carney is currently playing Mike Sadler in SAS Rogue Heroes, but he's also appeared in The King, Tolkien, Domina, Casualty, The Last Post and Dunkirk.
Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
Aegon Targaryen is Alicent and Viserys' secondborn son. A fearsome warrior, he is known for being a serious, determined figure, and is very open with his disdain for his nephews on Rhaenyra's side. Notably, he claimed the humungous dragon, Vhagar, as his own after Laena Velaryon's funeral.
Leo Ashton played the younger version of Aemond Targaryen in season 1.
Where else have you seen Ewan Mitchell? Aside from House of the Dragon, Mitchell has appeared in The Last Kingdom, Trigger Point, World on Fire and The Halcyon.
Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon
"Jace" is Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon's firstborn son, though it is heavily suspected that he (and his brother, Lucerys) were actually Ser Harwin Strong's children. Jacaerys stands to inherit the Iron Throne after Rhaenyra and works hard to ensure he will be a respected ruler when the time comes. His dragon is called Vermax.
Leo Hart played the young version of Prince Jacaerys in the earlier parts of the show.
Where else have you seen Harry Collett? House of the Dragon is Harry's most prominent credit so far, though he played a recurring role in Casualty and played Tommy Stubbins in Dolittle.
Elliot Grihault as Lucerys Velaryon
Lucerys Velaryon was Rhaenyra's second son with Laenor (or Harwin Strong). He was the heir to Driftmark, and was also dragonrider, just like his brother. "Luke", as he was known, rode Arrax, though both met their doom at the hands (and teeth) of Aemond and his dragon, Vhagar, in the series finale.
House of the Dragon is Elliot's first major credit; Harvey Salder played the younger version of the character.
Who else stars in House of the Dragon?
We've listed some of the most prominent figures in House of the Dragon (so far) above, but it takes an awful lot of people to populate the many Houses of Westeros. Below, you can find more of the stars that have cropped up in House of the Dragon so far:
- Sian Brooke as Queen Aemma Arryn
- Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
- Phil Daniels as Maester Gerardys
- Paul Kennedy as Lord Jasper "Ironrod" Wylde
- Ryan Corr as Ser Harwin "Breakbones" Strong
- Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister and Lord Jason Lannister
- David Horovitch as Grand Maester Mellos
- Kurt Egyiawan as Grand Maester Orwyle
- Wil Johnson as Ser Vaemond Velaryon
- Bill Paterson as Lord Lyman Beesbury
- Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen
- Gavin Spokes as Lord Lyonel Strong
- Savannah Steyn as Lady Laena Velaryon
- Elliott Tittensor as Ser Erryk Cargyll
- Luke Tittensor as Ser Arryk Cargyll
- Roger Evans as Lord Borros Baratheon
- Alexis Raben as Talya
- Max Wrottesley as Ser Lorent Marbrand
- Nicholas Jones as Lord Bartimos Celtigar
House of the Dragon season one has finished airing, though the first season can now be streamed on HBO Max in the US and Sky TV and streaming service, NOW in the UK.
