The Dance Of Dragons: A Complete Guide To The House Of The Dragon Cast, New Characters, And Season 2 Surprises

The highly anticipated second season of House of the Dragon (HOTD) has officially concluded as of August 2024, plunging the realm of Westeros into the brutal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. The conflict between the 'Blacks' (Team Rhaenyra) and the 'Greens' (Team Alicent) has escalated dramatically, and with it, the cast list has expanded to introduce a host of new, pivotal characters whose actions will define the future of the Targaryen dynasty. This article provides a definitive, up-to-date look at the entire main cast, focusing heavily on the new actors and the crucial roles they play in the unfolding tragedy.

The latest season, which premiered on June 16, 2024, and consisted of eight powerful episodes, saw the return of fan-favorite actors and the introduction of new faces who embody some of the most infamous figures from George R.R. Martin’s source material, Fire & Blood. Understanding who plays whom is essential to tracking the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that now grip the Seven Kingdoms.

The Main Players: Returning House of the Dragon Cast (Season 2)

The core conflict of the Dance of the Dragons rests on the shoulders of the actors who returned to portray the adult versions of the key Targaryen and Hightower figures. Their performances anchor the series following the time jumps in the first season.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• Emma D'Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen: The claimant to the Iron Throne, backed by the 'Blacks' faction. D'Arcy took over the role from Milly Alcock in Season 1.
• Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen: Rhaenyra's husband and uncle, a formidable warrior, and the commander of the Black's military forces.
• Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower: The mother of King Aegon II and the chief rival to Rhaenyra, leading the 'Greens' faction. Cooke replaced Emily Carey in the role.
• Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower: Alicent's father, the Hand of the King, and the strategic mastermind behind the Greens’ claim.
• Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon: The "Sea Snake," Lord of the Tides, and commander of the Velaryon fleet, a crucial ally to the Blacks.
• Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen: "The Queen Who Never Was," a dragonrider and Corlys's wife, a key military asset for the Blacks.
• Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole: Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and a staunch, vengeful supporter of the Greens.
• Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen: Alicent’s second son, a powerful dragonrider (of Vhagar), and a major antagonist for the Blacks. Mitchell replaced Leo Ashton.
• Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen: The newly crowned King of Westeros, a figurehead for the Greens.
• Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys Velaryon: Rhaenyra’s eldest son and heir, who serves as an envoy and diplomat for the Blacks.

The recasting of the younger characters in Season 1 was a major talking point, necessary to reflect the significant time jumps in the narrative, allowing the story to catch up to the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons.

Five New Cast Members Fueling the War in Season 2

Season 2 introduced several new major players who are central to the war’s most shocking and pivotal moments. These actors and their characters are essential for fans tracking the political and military developments.

1. Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark

The young Lord of Winterfell, Cregan Stark, is one of the most anticipated new characters. Played by Tom Taylor, Cregan is the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. His allegiance is vital to Queen Rhaenyra’s cause, as the North's forces are a massive military asset. Taylor, known for his roles in The Dark Tower and Doctor Foster, brings a stoic, powerful presence to the young Lord. His appearance in the North is part of a key alliance known as the Pact of Ice and Fire.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

2. Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong

Veteran British actor Simon Russell Beale joins the cast as Ser Simon Strong, the Castellan of Harrenhal and great-uncle to the manipulative Lord Larys Strong. Ser Simon is a key figure tied to the ancient, cursed castle of Harrenhal, a location that plays a major role in the unfolding war and the political machinations of the Greens.

3. Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower

Freddie Fox takes on the role of Ser Gwayne Hightower, the brother of Queen Alicent Hightower and son of Otto Hightower. As a member of the powerful Hightower family, Gwayne’s presence in King’s Landing adds another layer of familial conflict and political intrigue to the Greens' side. Fox's portrayal captures the arrogance and entitlement of the Hightower faction.

4. Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers

One of the most mysterious and unsettling new figures is Alys Rivers, the alleged witch of Harrenhal, played by Scottish actress Gayle Rankin. Alys is a crucial character in the latter half of the Dance of the Dragons, known for her prophetic abilities and her connection to one of the main Targaryen princes. Rankin describes her character as a supernatural figure who will "hold a lot of power for the men inside" the conflict.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

5. Abubakar Salim and Clinton Liberty as Alyn and Addam of Hull

The introduction of the Dragonseeds—bastards with Targaryen blood who attempt to claim dragons—is a major plot point. Among them are the brothers Alyn of Hull, played by Abubakar Salim, and Addam of Hull, played by Clinton Liberty. These characters are essential to the Blacks' desperate need for dragonriders and represent the unpredictable nature of the war, as commoners are elevated to positions of immense power.

The Infamous Dragonseeds and Key Supporting Roles

To deepen the topical authority of the article, it is important to list the remaining key new additions, particularly the Dragonseeds, who are pivotal to the war's most explosive battles.

• Kieran Bew as Hugh Hammer: One of the most infamous Dragonseeds, Hugh is a bastard and a blacksmith’s son who attempts to claim a dragon.
• Tom Bennett as Ulf the White: Another Dragonseed, Ulf is a common sailor who seeks to claim a dragon. Along with Hugh, he is involved in some of the most shocking betrayals of the war.
• Sam C. Wilson and Mark Stobbart as Blood and Cheese: These two actors portray the brutal mercenaries responsible for one of the most shocking and tragic events of the entire series. Their introduction signals the immediate, devastating escalation of the conflict following the events of Season 1.
• Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome: A knight of the Westerlands who plays a role in the war's shifting loyalties.
• Oscar Eskinkanzi as Prince Joffrey Velaryon: Rhaenyra’s third son, whose role becomes more prominent as the war progresses.

The introduction of these new entities—from the noble Cregan Stark and the powerful Simon Strong to the common-born Dragonseeds like Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White—underscores the shifting dynamics of the civil war. The Dance of the Dragons is not just a conflict between two queens; it is a war that pulls in every house, every ambitious individual, and every dragon in Westeros.

With the main cast firmly established and the new players introduced, House of the Dragon Season 2 delivered on its promise of high-stakes, brutal warfare. The ensemble cast, featuring established stars and exciting newcomers, ensures that the story of the Targaryen civil war will continue to captivate audiences as the series moves toward its next chapter.