No one knew what to expect from House of the Dragon until it premiered in the fall of 2022. Despite Game of Thrones being a huge hit during its first season on HBO, the finale disappointed many viewers. Will this prequel series be on par with the original series while also getting rid of the finale’s stink? It looks like it might be the case. Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon follows House Targaryen.
The show features them at the peak of their power, just before they lose everything in a terrible civil conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons. As was the case with Game of Thrones, the prequel series is packed with characters as two half-siblings compete for the Iron Throne. With the second season coming up, let’s take a look at the huge range of characters from Season 1 and rank them from worst to best. Some may be high on the list due to their likability or the performances of their actors, but others may be lower because we know so little about them. Here are our top 10 characters.
Masseria
Massaria is a woman of the people and one of the most interesting characters on the show. Looking out for number one can often be construed as ruthlessness. But Massaria seems to understand exactly what she wants. Originally an as*x activist who gained the favor of Daemon, she has evolved into a spy master. Becoming able to stand up to Otto Hightower. Despite the strange dialect that Mizuno was forced to use, Massaria remains an interesting person who should not be overlooked.
Lenore Velaryon
Laenor’s only problem was that he was born a gay man into a world that was basically bigoted. Rhaenyra describes him as a kind man with a good heart, which is unusual in Westeros. He’s a good father to his children, despite the fact that they aren’t biologically his. Despite the scrutiny in King’s Landing, he has a strong relationship with Rhaenyra. His survival (different from the book) raises some serious story concerns. But it’s hard not to want the best for Laenor, after everything she’s endured.
Laina Valerian
Perhaps if we had spent a little more time with Lyanna Velaryon, she would have been higher on this list. But despite knowing her for a very short time, she still holds a respectable place. As a former rider of Vhagar, we know she claimed the dragon at a young age. She followed Daemon and chose her own path. Even though this came across as a major turning point from the narrative, in the limited time we spent with her in episode 6, it was clear she was not only a fantastic mother, but also a loving sister. But she knows Daemon even better than he knows himself. Although this is the last time we’ve seen her, hopefully her spirit will carry on.
Rhaenys Targaryen
The Queen Who Never Was could have ranked higher on our list because Eve Best plays the princess brilliantly. But her character is somewhat hypocritical. Since the woman became ruler decades ago, her relationship with Rhaenyra appears to be strained. Sure, it could be because she thinks Rhaenyra and Daemon murdered Laenor. But she was indifferent to both Rhaenyra and her sons. She wanted Laenor’s daughters to inherit Driftmark instead of them. The character doesn’t make much sense on paper, but Rhaenyra deserves credit for being a general badass.
Corliss Valerian
Corlys is a complex character. He is arrogant and egotistical as he is one of the wealthiest men in Westeros as a result of his travels. This comes across as arrogance when he and Daemon wage war without the aid of royalty. But he is also a man who is willing to overlook the fact that his grandchildren are clearly not his biological children. Also, he is shown to be a father who is less accepting of Laenor’s homosexuality. He feels that it is simply a phase that will pass once he marries a woman. The intricacies and complex twists and turns of the character earn him a high spot on the list.
Otto Hightower
It is hard not to think of Otto Hightower as a former incarnation of Charles Dance’s Tywin Lannister. We see Otto as a cunning and skilled puppeteer. Not only does he make his daughter queen after Emma’s (Sian Brooke) death, but he also plots to put his grandson on Rhaenyra’s throne. Otto has few qualities that could save him, but he is one of the most interesting characters on the show. Rhys Ifans has portrayed him brilliantly without losing his humanity. We will see how he performs when his grandson ascends the throne. As of now, he has got everything he wanted and has temporarily won the game of thrones for his family.
Viserys Targaryen
Viserys is one of those guys you want to shake and say, “What are you doing?!” and perhaps if he was played by anyone other than Paddy Considine, he would rank much lower. However, Considine’s outstanding performance as the old king deserves recognition, even if it is overlooked by the Emmys. Genius with Foresight And the problem is that we have the gift of foresight. We know that every decision he makes in an attempt to expand and improve his house has the opposite result.
It’s hard not to sympathize with a man who begs his family for peace as he nears death. But it’s also hard to judge him when he remembers his mistakes. That’s why he tops this ranking. Viserys is one of the best characters to emerge from House of the Dragon, one that even surpasses the author’s own conception.
Alicent Hightower
Alicent Hightower is a complex character who progresses from being a victim of her father’s intrigues to a vital actor in the play. Emily Carey’s performance as the younger Alicent is a stark contrast to Olivia Cooke’s performance as the older Alicent; both contribute greatly to this character. We see this early on, while the position of queen may be idyllic to some, Alicent is unhappy when her father pressures her to spend more time with the king after his wife’s death. Her marriage is stifling, and she must watch her former best friend live a life she can only dream about.
Rhaenyra gets the freedom to choose her own life partner. Her father overlooks her infidelity, despite the fact that she is the heir to the crown. Even after Luke gouges out his son’s eye during a fight, the king supports Rhaenyra. It’s enough to push anyone over the edge. Despite this, we see Alicent try to make peace with Rhaenyra. It shows that both women still wanted to reconcile. Alicent’s actions and life journey are what make her so interesting as a woman living in a male-dominated world.
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Rhaenyra, even if she’s not the main character, is easy to root for. But she’s also complex in ways that most fantasy heroes aren’t. The benefit of knowing this character from the age of 14 is that we get to meet her when she’s still young and smart. We see her mature and grow into the queen she wanted to be. Unlike her half-brother, Rhaenyra could easily rule the Seven Kingdoms. Her methodical attitude to war, as well as her years of serving with her father on the Small Council, all contribute to her success as a king.
And, yes, her vulnerabilities make her a fascinating figure to watch. As a young woman, she was hot-blooded, impulsive, and fiercely independent. This gave her a vibrant personality that stood out in a world where women are expected to be passive and demure. Rhaenyra appears to be a contemporary woman living in a bygone era. With the death of her son, perhaps we’ll see Rhaenyra’s passion shine through more in the coming season as she and her family head off to war.
Daemon Targaryen
When we first meet Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen, he’s sitting on the Iron Throne. His affection for his niece is on full display as he teases her and gives her jewelry from his travels. Next, we see him swinging his Valyrian sword while enthusiastically punishing random criminals in King’s Landing. The first episode of House of the Dragon reveals who Daemon is and how contradictory he is. It’s easy to see why George R.R. Martin considers the evil prince one of his favorite characters. He’s loving, stern, devoted, and violent.
Matt Smith plays the dashing and playful prince in the show, leading to some of the best scenes in the series. One minute he’s placing a crown on his leper brother’s head, and the next he’s sentencing a man to death in court for insulting his wife. He’s hard to recognize. But everything he does seems to be in keeping with his personality. It’s not hard to see why the internet was obsessed with the character while the show was airing. With an abundance of drama and charisma, Daemon Targaryen reigns supreme as the best character to emerge from the House of the Dragon, and we can’t wait to see more of him.