House of the Dragon returns for its second season, plunging the world of Westeros into a state of chaos following the tragic death of Lucerys. Divided by their loyalties, House Targaryen is now split into two factions: those who support Aegon II Targaryen (The Greens) and those who stand with his older half-sister Rhaenyra Targaryen (The Blacks).
At Aegon’s side stands his loyal commander, Criston Cole, alongside his mother, the dowager Queen Alicent. Their approaches to ruling differ, but their influence on the king is undeniable. On Rhaenyra’s side stands her uncle/husband Daemon, his loyalty increasingly tested by the growing fractures within the family.
The new season promises to delve deeper into the complex relationships between these characters. The cast hints at a deep fracture between Daemon and Rhaenyra, one that could push the loyal prince towards darkness. Alicent, now grappling with diminished power after placing Aegon on the throne, finds herself battling for relevance in the male-dominated court.
The actors also discuss the time jump between seasons, acknowledging the changes in their characters and the dynamics of the cast. Fabien Frankel notes the stark differences between Criston’s relationships with Rhaenyra and Alicent, highlighting that they are drastically different people after two decades.
House of the Dragon Season 2 premieres today on Max in the U.S., and promises an explosive continuation of the Targaryen civil war.