House of the Dragon’s third season is officially in production, and we’ve learned not only who will be returning for this penultimate season, but also who will be joining the expansive cast of the Game of Thrones prequel.
It can be a lot to keep track of who is who and which dragon belongs to who and all that in George R.R. Martin’s universe, so we hope this character guide will help you learn all you need to know about the new and familiar characters that will have a part to play in this upcoming season.
Returning Cast:
Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen
Emma D’Arcy is returning as Rhaenyra Targaryen and will remain one of the most important players in this Dance of Dragons alongside her dragon Syrax. The Season 2 finale saw her having a fateful meeting with Alicent, who promised her the Red Keep if she let her, Helaena, and Jaehaera leave the kingdom in peace.
We also saw Daemon pledge his allegiance and his army to Rhaenyra, which means Team Black now has seven dragons and two armies to utilize in its attempt to take King’s Landing and the Iron Throne.
Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen
Matt Smith will be back in Season 3 as the unpredictable Daemon Targaryen, following the huge moment in the Season 2 finale when he vowed his allegiance and army to Rhaenyra after his vision from Alys Rivers – yes, that massive look into the future that included a glimpse of Daenerys Targaryen and her three dragon eggs, the White Walkers, and more.
Daemon and his dragon steed Caraxes will be in the front lines in the charge to take King’s Landing.
Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower
Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower ended last season with the offer of a deal that could change the course of Westeros forever. In exchange for the lives of herself, Helaena, and Jaehaera, she would give Rhaenyra the Red Keep and, in turn, the Iron Throne. This seems like a smart play for peace, but we know things never go as planned in this world – especially since Rhaenyra wants Alicent’s son Aegon dead.
Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Rhys Ifans’ Otto Hightower was last seen in the finale in a jail cell. Of course, his big confrontation with his grandson Aegon earlier in the season, where he was removed as Hand of the King, led to this moment (apparently his plan of returning to Oldtown went awry at some point). Season 3 should see the return of Otto in a big way, and finding out where he’s been will most likely be a big plot point in these upcoming episodes.
Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II Targaryen
Aegon II was betrayed by his brother Aemond at the Battle of Rook’s Rest when Vhagar was ordered to fire upon the king and his dragon, Sunfyre. Aegon barely survived the attack and some thought he might never awaken. During his brother’s recovery, Aemond was chosen to act as Regent and Protector of the Realm, and he also took the time to visit the injured Aegon and violently warn him not to speak the truth of what had happened.
Larys Strong stepped in and offered a plan to help Aegon and keep him safe from his brother, and the finale saw them on their way to Essos in hopes of returning one day to seize power.
Phia Saban as Helaena Targaryen
Phia Saban’s Helaena Targaryen took a big stand against Aemond when she refused to ride her dragon Dreamfyre into battle. Furthermore, she revealed that she knows Aemond betrayed Aegon and that she has seen a vision of his death. She also appears in Daemon’s vision from Alys Rivers, which shows how powerful and impactful her role in the fate of Westeros will be.
Oh, and of course, Alicent included her in the proposed deal to give Rhaenyra the Red Keep.
Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell’s Aemond, who was made Regent and Protector of the Realm after he betrayed Aegon, wasn’t having the best of times during the finale. Not only did he fail to convince Helaena to ride her dragon Dreamfyre into battle, but he retreated from Dragonstone and cowardly attacked Sharp Point after he saw how outnumbered he and Vhagar were compared to Team Black’s dragons.
Despite that, Aemond and Vhagar are one of the most formidable pairs in Westeros and will surely play a huge role in the war to come.
Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon
Steve Toussaint’s Corlys Velaryon, the head of House Velaryon who is also known as the Sea Snake, was last seen setting sail to go into battle alongside his son, Alyn of Hull. In Season 3, they appear to be on a crash course with not only the Greyjoy Navy, but also the Triarchy.
Harry Collett as Jacaerys Velaryon
Harry Collett’s Jacaerys Velaryon and his dragon, Vermax, are two of Team Black’s most powerful members. He took on a much bigger role in Season 2 by helping his mother, Rhaenyra, and Season 3 should be no different. That is if the dragonseed commoners Ulf, Hugh, and Addam don’t drive him mad before then.
Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole
Fabien Frankel’s Criston Cole had his entire life shaken up by witnessing the power of dragons, and he was last seen marching toward Harrenhal with Gwayne Hightower. Hey, at least he gave us the great quote “The dragons dance and men are like dust under their feet, and all our fine thoughts, all our endeavors… are as nothing.”
Matthew Needham as Larys Strong
When we last saw Matthew Needham’s Larys Strong, he was helping an injured Aegon escape to Essos to recover and return one day in the future as king again. However, Larys always has something up his sleeve, and Season 3 should give us at least a small glimpse into his grander vision.
Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull
Abubakar Salim’s Alyn of Hull is the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon and was last seen sailing alongside his father as they headed to war.
Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria
Sonoya Mizuno’s Mysaria has become quite powerful in Westeros as she is the head of a network of spies in King’s Landing. She appears to be helping Rhaenyra, but anything could happen in Season 3.
Bethany Antonia as Baela Targaryen
Baela, who rides the dragon Moondancer, was last seen at Dragonstone alongside her husband, Jacaerys.
Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen
Rhaena had one of the biggest cliffhanger moments of the Season 2 finale as she finally caught up to the wild dragon of the Vale. If she can tame this wild dragon, she will become a significantly larger part of the battles to come.
Oscar Eskinazi as Joffrey Velaryon
Oscar Eskinazi’s Joffrey Velaryon may be young, but he is bonded to the dragon Tyraxes and could turn the tides in the wars to come… if he stays alive.
Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister
Tyland Lannister was the star of the early parts of Season 2’s finale, as he was trying to negotiate with the Triarchy to help break Rhaenyra’s blockade. While he may have offered the Stepstones to them, it was a bout of mud wrestling with Captain Lohar that convinced them to sail with him.
Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull
Addam of Hull did the unthinkable in Season 2 - he bonded with Seasmoke after Laenor was presumed dead. He also had an epic moment with Rhaenyra on a beach where he pledged loyalty to her. At the end of the season, he was with the other dragonseed and preparing for the battles ahead at Dragonstone.
Tom Bennett as Ulf
Ulf is a bit of a wildcard as he is a dragonseed who bonded with Silverwing and is now part of Team Black. However, he’s not one to play by the rules and fall in line, so he could be a liability going forward for Rhaenyra.
Kieran Bew as Hugh
Hugh is another dragonseed, and his big claim to fame in Season 2 was bonding with the dragon Vermithor. He’s also a blacksmith and wants to prove that he can be a valuable member of Team Black.
Kurt Egyiawan as Orwyle
Orwyle is a Grand Maester and was integral in helping Aegon recover after he was betrayed by Aemond.
Freddie Fox as Gwayne Hightower
Gwayne Hightower was last seen marching toward Harrenhal with Criston Cole, who is filled with despair after seeing the true power of dragons.
Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers
Rhaenyra owes thanks to Alys Rivers as she gave Daemon the vision that led to him pledging his loyalty and army to her. She lives at Harrenhal and may influence even more of the events to come.
Could John Macmillan Return as Laenor Velaryon?
We haven’t seen Laenor Velaryon since he was sent into exile in Essos, but he could make his return in Season 3. As for his dragon Seasmoke, he has a new rider in Addam of Hull, which would obviously complicate things if he were to return one day.
New Cast:
James Norton as Ormund Hightower
James Norton will be playing Lord Ormund Hightower, who is the head of House Hightower and the Lord of Oldtown. In Season 2, it was revealed that Ormund sent his army to help Team Green.
Norton has previously been seen in Playing Nice, Bob Marley: One Love, Little Women, Mr. Jones, Happy Valley, McMafia, and more.
Tommy Flanagan as Ser Roderick Dustin
Ser Roderick Dustin, who will be played by Tommy Flanagan in Season 3, is the Lord of Barrowtown and is also known as Roddy the Ruin. He also leads a large army of savage Northmen known as the Winter Wolves.
Flanagan’s past work includes Gladiator, Sons of Anarchy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Braveheart, The Saint, Face/Off, Alien vs. Predator, Westworld, and more.
Dan Fogler as Ser Torrhen Manderly
Dan Fogler has been cast as Ser Torrhen Manderly, who is the son of Lord Desmond Manderly and the future Lord of White Harbor.
Fogler is best known for his time as Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts franchise as well as Fanboys, Balls of Fury, Good Luck Chuck, The Walking Dead, The Goldbergs, and much more.
For more, check out our explainer of the ending of Season 2, our review of House of the Dragon Season 2, and showrunner Ryan Condal’s latest comments on George R.R. Martin’s criticisms of the show.
Adam Bankhurst is a writer for IGN. You can follow him on X/Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on TikTok.
