Warning! This List Contains Spoilers For The First Season of House of the Dragon and Fire & Blood!The season finale of Game of Thrones prequel series was the precursor to war, establishing the various characters and their inner workings so that later they can get to the real action. Season 2 isn’t set to start filming until after the new year, and as such likely won’t arrive on television until 2024.
With Prince Jacaerys en route to the North and ravens spread out across the land, season 2 will certainly feature some interesting new faces. Some were already teased explicitly in House of the Dragon, while others are integral to the unfolding story as told in Fire & Blood. Therefore, both the Blacks and the Greens will grow larger with the introduction of these characters.
Daeron Targaryen
If there was one glaring omission throughout season 1 of House of the Dragon it is young Prince Daeron Targaryen. He is the fourth-born son of Viserys and Alicent, but he was entirely missing from the show with not even a reference made to his existence, leading some to think he was just written off. That’s a shame because Daeron the Daring as he is called plays an important role in the Dance of the Dragons.
Thankfully, showrunner Ryan Condel stated on The Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon, that Daeron is just living in Oldtown as he is during this time. As such, he’s one character that needs to come into play in season 2, along with Tessarion, adding to the 10 dragons shown in season 1. Interestingly, since he is residing in Oldtown, presumably with the dastardly Hightowers, he might be in Otto’s pocket and thus not as loyal to his mother as his siblings are.
Maelor Stark
Another Targaryen missing from season 1 was Maelor Targaryen, the youngest son of Aegon II and Helaena. In fact, in the opening credits, the family tree goes all the way down to his siblings, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, but not Maelor. The young child doesn’t play a large role in the Dance of the Dragons, but it is integral to an tragic moment for Queen Helaena.
In retaliation for Lucerys’ murder, Daemon retaliates by hiring assassins to kill one of Aegon’s sons. They force Helaena to choose which child to die, and regretfully after asking them to take her life instead, she is forced to say Maelor as he is the youngest. Instead, they murder Jaehaerys, making Maelor Aegon II’s heir. This is something that House of the Dragon will need to approach delicately as it will rub many viewers the wrong way. As such, Maelor might just be swapped for Jaehaera.
Blood & Cheese
The two assassins hired by Daemon go by the name of Blood and Cheese. Blood is a butcher, while Cheese is a Ratcatcher. Neither of their true names are known, but Blood was once a member of the City. Cheese is a mystery, which has led to many theories about his true identity, though he knew of the secret ageways throughout the Red Keep.
Interestingly, while Rhaenys’ escape on Meleys in episode nine presumably answers Helaena’s previous riddle, some think it could still apply to Blood and Cheese. They could still turn out to be the beasts beneath the boards, which adds such tragedy to Helaena’s premonition.
Cregan Stark
Jacaerys is headed north, first to the Vale, and on to Winterfell. Season 2 could pick up immediately with him and thus introduce Lady Jeyne Arryn who will be a staunch ally to her cousin, Rhaenyra. While her introduction is plausible, Cregan Stark’s is all but confirmed. He was referenced by Rhaenyra, saying he is close in age to Jacaerys.
Cregan is one of the coolest and most honorable characters in this story and as he grows older he will become known as the Wolf of the North with a political mind that would put Sansa to shame. He and Jace will likely be quick friends, though Jace might strike up a relationship with Cregan’s sister Sara. With Cregan, they can also introduce Roderick Dustin aka Roddy the Ruin, leader of the Winter Wolves.
Alys Rivers
Aemond is likely not going to have many people who trust him even on his own side as all they’ll see is a kinslayer. However, season 2 should introduce his closest confidant and lover, Alys Rivers. She is a mysterious woman, a bastard servant of House Strong at Harrenhal who supposedly sees visions in fires.
That’s reminiscent of Melisandre and the Red Priests of R’hollor – and since Melisandre is alive at this time, some theorize that Alys could be her in disguise. Perhaps she dreams like Aegon the Conqueror or makes premonitions like Helaena, but whatever the case, her inclusion can help expand the story’s mysticism and understanding of the important prophecies from the books.
Elmo Tully
They who hold the Riverlands hold the sway of the war, so Daemon has his eyes on them. The maester already sent a raven to Lord Grover Tully of Riverrun, to which Rhaenyra balks at, citing Grover’s fickleness. Along with Grover showing up, so too can his awesome grandson, Ser Elmo Tully, who will lead the charge for Rhaenyra.
This would be a great showing for House Tully, who were poorly represented by Edmure Tully throughout Game of Thrones, allowing more than the Blackfish or Catelyn to be brave and noble. A funny reason the Tullys should feature – including Elmo’s twin sons, Kermit and Oscar – is the fact that they’re all named after Sesame Street characters.
Dalton Greyjoy
The Dance of the Dragons makes great heroes for many noble houses throughout Westeros, including House Greyjoy of the Iron Islands. Leading their house at this time is Dalton Greyjoy, also known as the Red Kraken, a wild and bloodthirsty warrior revered in his family’s legends following the Dance.
He and the fleets of the Ironborn will be desired by both the Greens and the Blacks. The former will want need to add to the Lannister’s fleet to come close to competing with Corlys Velaryon’s, while the latter simply wants Dalton to do what he does best – kill. Introducing Dalton seems like a likely thing in season 2 and will be interesting to think how he compares in cruelty and violence to the likes of Daemon or Criston Cole.
Nettles
An unexpected addition to the season finale was when Daemon visited the Dragonmont on Dragonstone to get more dragons to their side. He visited Vermithor, the Bronze Fury, King Jaehaerys I’s dragon. With an additional of the riderless or wild dragons, this moment perfectly teases the introduction of new dragonriders like Nettles.
She is a dragonseed – a bastard of Houses Targaryen or Velaryon – and as such she is able to claim a dragon of her own. While others will bond with previously-ridden dragons, Nettles tames a wild one, Sheepstealer. Importantly, she will also strike up a relationship with Daemon. With all that in mind and in light of the timeline, Nettles seems like a likely addition to season 2.
Adam & Alyn of Hull
While Laenor’s faked death in episode seven led to some funny memes, it also created a possibility that he could one day return to the story. Whether that happens or not, two important Velaryons could be introduced in season 2 – brothers Addam and Alyn, formerly of Hull. They are Laenor’s supposed bastards, although many rightfully believe Corlys is their real father.
They will both participate in the coming war, with Addam even claiming Seasmoke and becoming a true hero by the end of the Dance. Their story of loyalty and the honor of bastards will likely catch many viewers unaware with how compelling and impactful it could be, so they should lay the groundwork early in season two.
Sharako Lohar
As the Blacks gain allies from the powerful noble houses of Westeros, the Greens will have to look elsewhere for more. Knowing all the work Daemon and Corlys put into claiming the Stepstones and beating back the Triarchy time and time again, Otto will see an opportunity – the enemy of his enemy will become his friend. As the Triarchy will be a consistent presence throughout the war, they should give a face to them by introducing Sharako Lohar.
Although not by name, it seems he might have also been referenced earlier in the season when the new leader of the Triarchy was discussed. They also teased one of the most important battles to come – the Battle of the Gullet – in which Lohar will lead the Triarchy’s fleet against the Velaryons in one of the bloodiest sea battles in all of history. That makes him a likely candidate for season 2.
