Set hundreds of years before the events of Game of Thrones, new HBO prequel show House of the Dragon will cover the bloody Targaryen civil war outlined in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.
Here’s a guide to the main characters in House of the Dragon, the actors playing them, and where their loyalties may lie in the conflict known as the Dance of Dragons.
Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is Hand of the King to Viserys I Targaryen and father to Alicent Hightower. A powerful and clever man, he has a bitter rivalry with Prince Daemon Targaryen. Photo: HBO
Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) is a dragonrider who is married to Corlys Velaryon. She is known as the "queen who never was" because her cousin Viserys was chosen to rule instead of her, after a great council decided a woman should not sit on the Iron Throne Photo: HBO
Corlys Velaryon (Steve Touissant), also known as the Sea Snake, is admiral to the Targaryen fleet and the richest man in Westeros. He is part of House Velaryon, an ancient and powerful family with the blood of Old Valyria in their veins. Corlys has two children with his wife Rhaenys Targaryen: Laena and Laenor. Photo: HBO
Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) is a member of the Kingsguard under Viserys I. He has a crucial role in sparking the flame for the Dance of Dragons. Photo: HBO
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