Interview
House of the Dragon showrunner explains why Alicent and Rhaenyra are the central characters to the show’s story
The focus was always on the two queens!
In House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower are portrayed as best friends from a young age. They confided in each other and shared their deepest secrets. However, their relationship took a turn for the worse when Alicent married King Viserys, Rhaenyra’s father. Showrunner Ryan Condal talked about how the two characters are central to the show’s storyline.
Ryan Condal in Rhaenyra and Alicent’s role in House of the Dragon’s conflict
From the very beginning, House of the Dragon is about the rift between Alicent and Rhaenyra, who were once best friends. In a recent episode of the Official Game of Thrones podcast, Condal reiterated the same,
“I’ve said from the beginning that Alicent and Rhaenyra are the two central characters of the show. I mean, look at the poster for season 2. And that is stated, I think pretty clearly not only in the pilot but certainly through the course of the first season of the show. It’s a story about these two women who are essentially children when we meet them.”
How Alicent and Rhaenyra’s fathers influenced their destiny
Otto Hightower and King Viserys’ actions set their daughters on a path that eventually led to the Targaryen dynasty’s fall. The House of the Dragon was weakened after almost all their dragons were killed, leaving them susceptible to rebellions. Condal added,
“They’re raised in this heavily patriarchal society by two powerful men. I mean, one literally has absolute power in Westeros: [King Viserys], Rhaenyra’s father. And then his number two, the Hand of the King Otto Hightower, [Alicent’s father]. And how they are both, Rhaneyra and Alicent, intentionally or unintentionally depending on your point of view and which character we’re talking about, being wielded as political pawns by their scheming fathers.”
READ NEXT: “He can’t sit still”: Ewan Mitchell reveals what he loves about Aemond
Dense, rich and jammy with scents of cherry tobacco and vanilla crème and a long, mouth coating finish with just a hint of sweetness.
-
Lore7 days ago
The bloodiest battle at sea: The Battle of the Gullet in House of the Dragon
-
Lore6 days ago
Where is Tumbleton and why is it important in House of the Dragon?
-
Lore7 days ago
Everything you need to know about Cregan Stark and the Hour of the Wolf
-
Lore47 mins ago
Everything you need to know about The Sack of Duskendale
-
News3 days ago
House of the Dragon Season 2 nominated for ‘Best Drama Series’ at the 2025 TV Choice Awards
-
Humour4 days ago
Peaky Blinders showrunner Steven Knight initially believed Game of Thrones was “a kids show”
-
Interview3 days ago
Sophie Turner felt that after Game of Thrones, nothing she did would be as good
-
Interview6 days ago
Ryan Condal explains the role of Aegon’s Prophecy in House of the Dragon