Your favorite characters may look a little different.
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House of the Dragon Episode 6 introduced a major time jump, fast-forwarding 10 years. That means some of its central characters will be played by new actors from here on, although other roles remain unchanged.
The oldest daughter of Corlys Velaryon was first played by Nova Mosé-Foueillis. Her parents offered her as a marriage prospect to King Viserys, but the huge age gap between them is too much even for Westeros’ gross view of courtship.
Before the big Episode 6 time jump, Savannah Steyn briefly appears as a teen Laena. An accomplished dragonrider herself, she’s clearly interested in Daemon Targaryen, who’s taking a break from flirting with his niece.
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Nanna Blondell takes over as Laena, now married to Daemon. They have twin daughters, and she’s pregnant with a third child. In what’s quickly become a tradition for the show, it doesn’t end well.
The heir to House Velaryon is played by Theo Nate for most of Season 1’s first half, after briefly being portrayed by Matthew Carver as a child. Laenor is a skilled dragonrider and warrior. It’s an open secret that he’s gay, which will come into play later.
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John Macmillan plays the older Laenor Velaryon. Though he’s married to Rhaenyra, their relationship is one of convenience. The couple’s third child, Joffrey, is named after Laenor’s former love, a knight who was murdered at his wedding to the Targaryen princess.
A childhood friend to Rhaenyra Targaryen, Alicent was first played by Emily Carey. The early episodes of the show depicted their relationship as more than just friends (which drew criticism for queerbaiting), but that’s about to change with the time jump.
Olivia Cooke takes over as Alicent, now married to Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys. They have three children, and the first, Aegon, poses a clear danger to Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne. Alicent emerges as the leader of “the greens,” a faction opposed to Rhaenyra’s rule.
Played up until now by Milly Alcock, Rhaenyra is the dragon-riding daughter of King Viserys. He chooses her as his successor, which would make her the first woman to inherit the Iron Throne, kicking off the events of House of the Dragon.
Emma D’arcy picks up the role after the time jump. By this point, Rhaenyra is married to Laenor Velaryon and has three sons of questionable paternity, all of which complicates her position heading into the second half of the season.