As the second season of House of the Dragon draws to a close, fans are eagerly anticipating what’s to come in the show’s remaining two seasons. To gauge the focus of the show, a devoted Redditor has compiled a list of characters and their corresponding screen time, providing insight into which characters received the most attention this season. The results show that the top four characters, including Rhaenyra Targaryen, Alicent Hightower, Prince Daemon Targaryen, and Aegon II, dominated screen time, with Rhaenyra clocking in at an impressive 4.5 hours. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the show’s emphasis on the relationships between these characters and the succession crisis that drives the narrative.
The screen time among the remaining cast of characters reveals that the key players are indeed getting the most attention. The show’s writers have consistently centered the relationships between Rhaenyra and Alicent, and Rhaenyra and Daemon, as well as how the succession crisis affects both Rhaenyra and Aegon. This focus will likely continue in the remaining seasons, given the narrative’s reliance on these characters. Jace, who spent most of Season 2 proving himself as a key strategist and asset to Rhaenyra’s war council, received a significant amount of screen time, likely dedicated to showcasing his importance and the personal sacrifices he’s willing to make to support Rhaenyra’s claim. His role in the Dance of the Dragons will come to an end, and others will have to step in to fill the hole he leaves behind – especially on-screen.
A Still From House of the Dragon (Photo: House of the Dragon)
Characters like Cregan Stark and Corlys Velaryon, on the other hand, were underutilized in Season 2, with Cregan receiving a mere 4 minutes and 10 seconds of screen time. There’s hope that Season 3 will allow these vital characters to shine, especially given their importance throughout the rest of the Dance of Dragons. Rhaena, Daemon’s second daughter, who spent most of Season 2 in the Vale and only received 9 minutes of screen time, may be gearing up for more focus in Season 3, potentially filling the shoes of a key book character and dragonrider.
Given the amount of screen time dedicated to Rhaenyra, Daemon, Alicent, and Aegon in Season 2, it’s clear that the remaining seasons will focus on the relationships between these characters and the dynamics that drive the narrative. As characters continue to die off, it’s only natural that the narrative will narrow in on these key relationships rather than expanding outward to a larger cast. Hopefully, this will also lend more screen time to some of the overlooked characters in the series.
