So far, the first two episodes of HBO’s new prequel series, House of the Dragon , haven’t disappointed. Battle lines have been drawn, new alliances have forged, and time-honored friendships are being called into question.
While we eagerly anticipate what next Sunday has in store , I thought it might be fun to look at what the cast of House of the Dragon looks like — both in and out of costume . So for those who can’t seem to get enough “Fire & Blood,” this one’s for you.
Graham McTavish as “Lord Commander of the King’s Guard” — Ser Harrold Westerling
Ser Harrold served in the King’s Guard since the time of King Jaehaerys I . he is a loyal servant of the crown, as well as one of Princess Rhaenyra’s closest allies.
Graham McTavish in real life
Graham McTavish is a name you’ve likely seen/heard before. Most recently, he played King Atlan opposite Jason Momoa in Aquaman . You may also recognize him from his recurring role as Sigismund Dijkstra in Netflix’s The Witcher .
Emily Carey as Alicent Hightower
Alicent is the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King. She also happens to be Princess Rhaneyra’s best and only friend. How that friendship will play out now that Alicent has been betrothed to King Viserys I remains to be seen.
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Emily Carey in real life
Emily Carey is a relative newcomer to the big and small screen. Before landing her role in House of the Dragon , Emily was perhaps best known for portraying Grace Beauchamp in the BBC series, Casualty.
Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower
It’s tough to get a read on Ser Otto Hightower. On the one hand, he appears to be a loyal servant to his King, Viserys I. But beneath the cracks of his congeniality, his ambition is beginning to shine through.
Rhys Ifans in real life
Rhys Ifans is a name that moviegoers will no doubt recall. He’s had countless memorable roles, including Dr. Curt Connors in The Amazing Spider-Man , as well as the satanic son, Adrian, in the classic Adam Sandler comedy, Little Nicky .
Steve Toussaint as “The Sea Snake” — Lord Corlys Velaryon
Of all those loyal to King Viserys I, arguably none are more dangerous than “The Sea Snake” — Lord Corlys Velaryon. After King Viserys I rejected Laena Velaryon’s marriage offer, the Lord of Driftmark decided to take matters into his own hands.
Steve Toussaint in real life
Just when I thought that I couldn’t love Steve Toussaint any more than I already do, I recently discovered that he’s a baseball fan! Steve even got to throw out the first pitch at a recent matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles!
Paddy Considine as King Viserys I
The actions of King Viserys I forever changed the landscape of Westeros and the Seven Kingdoms. By naming Princess Rhaenyra as his heir, he not only thwarted his brother’s ambitions for the crown, but he inadvertently began the great Targaryen civil war — known as ” The Dance of the Dragons .”
Paddy Considine in real life
When Paddy isn’t ruling over the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros in House of the Dragon , he enjoys playing the role of real-life rock star and frontman for his band, Riding The Low. Take a look at this video from a recent live performance .
Eve Best as “The Queen Who Never Was” — Princess Rhaenys Targaryen
Princess Rhaenys, dubbed “The Queen Who Never Was” came within inches of being named the first Queen of Westeros. Although her alliances appear muddled thus far, Rhaenys eventually goes on to become one of Princess Rhaenyra’s strongest supporters , according to the history books.
Eve Best in real life
Eve Best has had a long and sporadic career as an actress. She was nominated for a SAG Award for her work in Nurse Jackie and played an integral part in the Oscar-nominated film, The King’s Speech.
Matt Smith as “The Rogue Prince” — Daemon Targaryen
From what we know of Daemon Targaryen, in the show as well as in the histories, he is/was one of the most mercurial of all the Targaryens. His lust for power is only superseded by his ego.
Matt Smith in real life
Fans of the time-honored BBC series Doctor Who will no doubt recall Matt from his role as the Eleventh Doctor. Matt also played a pivotal part in the MCU’s polarizing film Morbius , opposite Jared Leto.
Milly Alcock as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
It’s difficult not to draw comparisons between Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen; “The Mother of Dragons.” Both women are born leaders and each played their own important part in the inevitable demise of House Targaryen .
Milly Alcock in real life
Although young and a relative newcomer to Hollywood, Milly Alcock commands the screen with all the prowess and poise of a seasoned actress. In almost no time at all, she’s quickly become a fan favorite, as well as a standout character in House of the Dragon .