The Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon is officially back for its second season. And with it, we can look forward to seeing more gripping power plays, more breathtakingly rugged locations, and, of course, more of the most complicated family tree in television history. We’re talking endless incest (uncle-husbands, sister-wives, cousin-brides, you name it), names that all sound exactly the same, and a sea of peroxide blonde hair. Yes, we are talking about the Targaryens, the family of “pure-bloods” at the centre of the HBO show.
Untangling the complicated mess that is their family tree is practically impossible — but we’ve done our best. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Appears in: House of the Dragon, season 1
Played by: Michael Carter
Born: 34 AC
Died: 103 AC
Known as the Conciliator, the Wise, and eventually the Old King, was the fourth Targaryen king to rule over Westeros and he eventually became the longest reigning Targaryen monarch. He appears briefly in the first season of House of the Dragon’s first episode. At the end of his reign, he held a Great Council to elect his successor — Viserys I Targaryen, his grandson, was chosen.
HBO
Viserys I Targaryen
Appears in: House of the Dragon, season 1
Played by: Paddy Considine
Born: 77 AC
Died: 129 AC
The grandson of the Old King, Jaehaerys, Viserys ruled over Westeros from 103 AC to 129 AC. In House of the Dragon, we see the last few decades of his reign. When his first wife, Aemma Arryn, dies in childbirth, leaving behind only one living daughter, Rhaenyra, he marries Alicent Hightower. The pair have four children, Aegon II, Helaena, Aemond and Daeron. He eventually succumbs to a long, gruesome illness, and, failing to leave behind an official successor, Westeros is thrown into chaos.
