Planted two centuries earlier game of thronesThe HBO fantasy drama charts the rise and fall of House Targaryen. In the first season we saw it at the height of its power and then we saw it lose everything. This happened in House of the Dragon brutal civil war season two, A Dance of Dragons.

Before the fire-breathers wreak havoc on the world of Westeros again, check out which characters from the series made our top ten list below.

Larys Strong

Every fantasy show has to have a character pulling the strings behind the scenes, and that is the role of Larys Strong, the so-called Master Whisperer and Lord Confessor of the House of The Dragon. This man loves gossip. If House of the Dragon had a reality show, you can bet it would devour them all. But since that’s not the case, Larys likes to manipulate everyone he comes across. He turns against his family, marrying his own brother and father in his lust for power, and often treats Alicent with contempt. But a good speaker.

Harwin Strong

We have a soft spot for Harwin Strong, one of the few truly honest men in the House of the Dragon. Especially compared to his brother Larys. His dogged devotion to principle makes Harwin more noble than perhaps anyone else. Although, having said that, he does have a secret child with Rhaenyra, which leads to him being taken back to Harrenhal, and ultimately to his and his father’s untimely death at the hands of Larys.

Corlys Velaryon

The Sea Serpent is a great moniker for a character, and Corlys lives up to it impressively. The leader of House Velaryon is a cold-blooded, complicated character. While he has no problem twisting a knife, he also displays fierce loyalty. His loyalty to the Targaryens is ironclad and he is devoted to his wife Rhaenys, who has a claim to the throne. Corlys fights for this claim later in the series, defending Rhaenys’ right to be queen.

Ser Criston Cole

No list of the best House of The Dragon characters is complete without Ser Criston Cole. An experienced member of the Kingsguard, a feared warrior and skilled with a blade. However, his character arc is based on love, not war. While sworn to celibacy like all Kingsguard, he breaks that oath during his involvement with Rhaenyra. After that, he wants her to marry him, but it’s not that simple. She is royal. This angers Criston and he sees his heart gradually darken.

Laenor Velaryon

The world of House of the Dragon can be deeply homophobic, which is a problem for a character like Laenor Velaryon. For example, his children are not biologically his, but he has to pretend they are. Despite the possibility of scrutiny everywhere she goes, Laenor is a moral character with a kind heart, making her easy to root for in a land of the ruthless and prejudiced.

Otto Hightower

There can only be one smartest person in the room. That person is usually Otto Hightower, a dangerous mix of raw intelligence and naked ambition. His brainpower is matched only by his ruthlessness, which he uses in his hunger for power. Otto may be the Hand of the King, but all of his advice is conveniently self-serving as he consistently puts himself above the needs of the kingdom.

Alicent Hightower

No character in House of the Dragon feels the impact of Otto’s decision more than his daughter Alicent. Once a friend of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, this relationship is severed when Otto orders her to become involved with Viserys. This ultimately sets Alicent and Rhaenyra on two opposing paths that only widen the gulf of enmity between them.

Viserys Targaryen

The visual degradation of Viserys Targaryen during the first season is extraordinary. By the end of the season, this former healthy king is literally rotting. Why? In the books, the Iron Throne is said to have been built to cut down anyone unfit to rule, which sums up Viserys (though to be fair, it’s easy to do; the throne is made of swords). Viserys is believed to have contracted the infection from the cut, and it’s clear that despite his love for his family and optimism for the future, he wasn’t cut out for the job.

A Targaryen demon

Former Doctor Who Matt Smith cuts a charismatic and cunning figure as Daemon Targaryen. While a cold antagonist at the beginning of House of The Dragon, when he teams up with the Goldcloaks against House Targaryen, the reality is not so simple. She loves her brother Viserys and cares for Rhaenyra. Just when you’re ready to hate him, Daemon reveals a hidden redeeming quality. He is set to be one of the best and most mysterious characters of the second series.

Rhaenyra Targaryen

House of the Dragon face along with Alicent Hightower for some reason. Rhaenyra is a deeply complex, infinitely flawed, yet compelling character. She was always brave as a teenager, but as the show progresses, that bravery is given new limits as Rhaenyra uses her power to deliver decisive blows to her enemies. Driven to do what is right not only for herself but also for those she loves, Rhaenyra will stop at nothing in her pursuit, even if it means crossing some lines that most wouldn’t dare.