The Ultimate Guide To The House Of The Dragon Cast: 10 Key Actors And The New Faces Fueling The Dance Of The Dragons

The highly anticipated second season of House of the Dragon has officially launched, plunging Westeros into the brutal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, and fan curiosity about the powerhouse cast is at an all-time high. As of today, December 14, 2025, the series continues to dominate cultural conversation, with the returning stars delivering career-defining performances alongside a roster of compelling new actors who are set to become pivotal players in the fight for the Iron Throne. This comprehensive guide breaks down the core cast, provides detailed biographies, and introduces the fresh faces—including the new Dragonriders—who are steering the story into its bloodiest chapter yet.

The success of the HBO prequel rests squarely on the shoulders of its ensemble, which seamlessly transitioned from the younger cast of Season 1 to the adult leads. From the calculating Queen Alicent Hightower to the fiercely determined Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and the unpredictable Prince Daemon, the actors have embodied the political intrigue and familial conflict that defines the Targaryen dynasty. Understanding the talent behind these complex characters offers a deeper appreciation for the dramatic tension that has captivated millions of viewers worldwide.

The Core Black & Green Cast: Full Biography Profiles

The main cast for House of the Dragon Season 2 features a formidable group of actors, many of whom are already celebrated for their work on stage and screen. This list provides a detailed profile for the key players leading the Black and Green factions.

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• Emma D'Arcy (Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen)
  • DOB: June 27, 1992
  • Nationality: English
  • Notable Works: Known for their roles in the TV series Wanderlust (2018) and Truth Seekers, D'Arcy's portrayal of Rhaenyra—the heir to the Iron Throne and leader of the Black Council—has earned them global acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination.
• Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen)
  • DOB: October 28, 1982
  • Nationality: English
  • Notable Works: Smith is internationally recognized for playing the Eleventh Doctor in the iconic series Doctor Who (2010–2013) and for his Emmy-nominated role as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in the first two seasons of The Crown.
• Olivia Cooke (Queen Alicent Hightower)
  • DOB: December 27, 1993
  • Nationality: English
  • Notable Works: Before leading the Green Council as Queen Alicent, Cooke starred as Emma Decody in the A&E drama-thriller series Bates Motel (2013–2017) and in films like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and Ready Player One.
• Eve Best (Princess Rhaenys Targaryen)
  • DOB: July 31, 1971
  • Nationality: English
  • Notable Works: A highly decorated stage and screen actress, Best is known for her role as Dr. Eleanor O'Hara in the series Nurse Jackie. She is also an Olivier Award winner for her stage performance in Hedda Gabler.
• Steve Toussaint (Lord Corlys Velaryon, "The Sea Snake")
  • DOB: March 22, 1965
  • Nationality: British (of Barbadian descent)
  • Notable Works: Toussaint’s career spans film and television, with notable roles in the ITV crime drama The Knock and films such as Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. He portrays the legendary seafarer and head of House Velaryon.
• Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole)
  • DOB: April 6, 1994
  • Nationality: English
  • Notable Works: Frankel is known for playing the conflicted Kingsguard knight, Ser Criston Cole. His earlier work includes the TV movie NYPD Blue and the film Last Christmas.

The New Cast Members: Who is Fueling the Dance of the Dragons in Season 2?

Season 2 introduces a host of new characters crucial to the escalating conflict, particularly the "Dragonseeds"—bastards from the Targaryen line who attempt to claim a dragon. Their arrival dramatically expands the cast and the scope of the war.

Key New Players and Their Actors

The following actors joined the main ensemble for the second season, bringing to life some of the most anticipated figures from George R.R. Martin's source material, Fire & Blood.

• Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers

  Alys Rivers is a mysterious figure, often referred to as the "witch of Harrenhal," who possesses prophetic visions. Scottish actress Gayle Rankin, known for her roles in the Netflix series GLOW and the film Her Smell, embodies this enigmatic character.

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• Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull

  Addam is a young shipwright who claims to be a Dragonseed and attempts to bond with the dragon Seasmoke. Irish actor Clinton Liberty, whose credits include the series Holding, plays this pivotal character in the Black faction's struggle to find more dragonriders.

• Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer

  A blacksmith who is another Dragonseed, Hugh Hammer successfully bonds with the massive bronze dragon Vermithor, the former dragon of King Jaehaerys Targaryen. The English actor Kieran Bew, known for his work in shows like Warrior, portrays this character who is destined to become a significant, and potentially treacherous, figure in the war.

• Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark

  Tom Taylor plays the formidable Lord of Winterfell and head of House Stark. The young English actor, born in 2001, is best known for his role as Jake Chambers in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower. His character, Cregan Stark, is a crucial ally for Queen Rhaenyra’s Black Council in the North.

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The Expanding Roster: More Key Characters and Their Actors

Beyond the main and new Dragonseed characters, House of the Dragon Season 2 features a deep bench of supporting actors who portray the various lords, knights, and members of the royal court, each playing a critical role in the unfolding tragedy.

• Tom Glynn-Carney (King Aegon II Targaryen): The eldest son of Alicent Hightower and Viserys I, and the claimant of the Greens.
• Phia Saban (Queen Helaena Targaryen): Aegon II's sister-wife and dragonrider of Dreamfyre.
• Ewan Mitchell (Prince Aemond Targaryen): Alicent’s fierce, one-eyed son and the rider of Vhagar, the largest living dragon.
• Harry Collett (Prince Jacaerys Velaryon): Rhaenyra’s eldest son, who travels to the North to secure an alliance with Cregan Stark.
• Bethany Antonia (Lady Baela Targaryen): Daemon’s daughter and rider of the dragon Moondancer.
• Phoebe Campbell (Lady Rhaena Targaryen): Daemon’s other daughter, who is tasked with protecting Rhaenyra's younger sons.
• Graham McTavish (Ser Harrold Westerling): The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
• Matthew Needham (Larys Strong): The cunning and manipulative Lord of Harrenhal, known as the Clubfoot.
• Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria): Daemon's former paramour and a key intelligence operative for the Black Council.

The inclusion of new characters like the Dragonseeds (Addam of Hull, Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, and others) is a clear signal that the series is escalating the "Dance of the Dragons" from a political chess match to a full-scale war. The show is now focusing heavily on the chaos and moral ambiguity of the conflict, where the true loyalties of even the closest allies will be tested.

The Legacy of the Cast: From Doctor Who to Westeros

The casting choices for House of the Dragon deliberately focused on acclaimed actors from the British and Irish theatrical and television scenes, a strategy similar to that of its predecessor, Game of Thrones. This approach provides the show with a foundation of serious dramatic talent capable of handling the Shakespearean scale of the Targaryen civil war.

Matt Smith's transition from the beloved, eccentric Eleventh Doctor to the charismatic and dangerous "Rogue Prince" Daemon Targaryen is a testament to his range. His performance as Daemon, who is both a devoted husband and a ruthless warrior, anchors the Black Council's military might and political maneuvering. Similarly, Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke’s complex and often heartbreaking portrayal of the fractured friendship between Rhaenyra and Alicent—the two queens at the heart of the war—is what truly defines the emotional stakes of the series. Their performances are crucial in depicting the personal cost of the "Dance of the Dragons," ensuring that the audience remains invested in both sides of the conflict, despite the bloody path ahead. The strength of the ensemble cast, both old and new, ensures that the remaining episodes of Season 2 will be a compelling and devastating viewing experience.