‘House of the Dragon’ Episode 6 on HBO introduces more Targaryens to the Family Tree: Rhaenyra’s children by father Ser Harwin, Daemon’s twins, and Alicent’s kids.
Beyond anything else, HBO‘s House of the Dragon is the story of a family. A strange, incestuous, cutthroat, messy family that rides dragons and wages war over personal slights. And in House of the Dragon Episode 6, the family gets exponentially bigger. Ten years have passed between Episodes 5 and 6. Rhaenyra is no longer a teen (Milly Alcock), but a mother of three played by Emma D’Arcy. Elsewhere other teens have been recast and now the adult actors have broods of their own to raise. There is a whole new generation of Targaryens and Velaryons on the scene in House of the Dragon — and who they are, who their parents are, and how they get along with each other will have a massive effect on the future of House of the Dragon.
But who are Rhaenyra’s children? Does House of the Dragon bring all four of Alicent Hightower (now played by Olivia Cooke) and Viserys Targaryen’s (Paddy Considine) kids from Fire & Blood to life? And who are Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Laena Velayron’s (Nanna Blondell) two twin daughters? HBO does have a fancy official family tree, but if you’re still confused because names like Rhaenys and Rhaenyra and Rhaena all sound the same to you, that’s okay!
Here is your guide to the ever-expanding, never-not-confusing Targaryen family tree in House of the Dragon, starting with Viserys Targaryen’s first marriage…
Played by: Paddy Considine
Dragonrider?: Once! He literally rode Balerion the Dread one time as a youth before the dragon — once ridden by Aegon the Conqueror — died. Viserys has not claimed another dragon.
How To Recognize Them: He’s the doddering king with long hair whose body is perpetually falling apart. Also, he loves model cities and hates confrontations.
Biggest Thing You Need to Know About Them: He really sucks at making important decisions. This aversion to confrontation will actually set up the realm for the most explosively horrible civil war imaginable.
Played by: Sian Brooke
Dragonrider?: Nope!
How To Recognize Them: She’s Rhaenyra’s really lovely mother who died in forced childbirth in the premiere.
Biggest Thing You Need to Know About Them: Uh…she died in childbirth, thus traumatizing Rhaenyra and Viserys forever?
Played by: Milly Alcock as a teen (left) and Emma D’Arcy as an adult (right)
Dragonrider?: Yes! She rides the golden dragon Syrax.
How To Recognize Them: She is the spirited, sometimes haughty, always self-possessed main character with white blonde hair.
Biggest Thing You Need to Know About Them: She is her father’s chosen heir to the Iron Throne, but the realm feels less than thrilled about a woman becoming ruler. Especially after her father takes a second wife who produces a healthy male heir…
Played by: Emily Carey as a teen (left) and Olivia Cooke as an adult (right)
Dragonrider?: Absolutely not! She doesn’t even want to accompany a friend on dragonback as a lark.
How To Recognize Them: She’s the woman with auburn hair, brown eyes, a green dress, and quietly simmering rage.
Biggest Thing You Need to Know About Them: Alicent was once Rhaenyra Targaryen’s best friend, but they fell out as Alicent was pushed by her father to wed Rhaenyra’s dad.
