So the characters are related

Following Game of Thrones, the prequel series House of the Dragon at WOW* is also introducing a large ensemble cast to Westeros. In particular, the family relationships of the ruling Targaryens now need to be understood. But anyone who comes across the full family tree of the book Fire and Blood* spoils themselves for upcoming weddings, children and heirs to the throne. We offer you here Family tree overview without spoilers for the future – so with an explanation of what he looks like at the end of Season 1 Episode 1.

This House of the Dragon item features:

House of the Dragon family tree in Episode 1: How are the previous Targaryens related?

The Targaryens have been in power in Westeros for 100 years (after being conquered by Aegon I) when House of the Dragon begins. Of the ‘Old King’ Jaehaerys I Targaryen (Michael Carter) ruled for almost 60 years in a time of peace. At the end of his life, however, his two sons died and the succession to the throne is unclear.

So in the prologue of House of the Dragon, the ‘Great Council’ of the year 101 votes among the houses of Westeros. Two candidates would have chances for the throne: But not Jaehaery’s eldest descendant, Granddaughter Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) is elected. Instead, his eldest receives more male Descendant, grandson of Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) wins the bid over his cousin. Viserys becomes the new king of Westeros after Jaehaery’s death.

The new throne question à la Game of Thrones: Who comes after Viserys?

House of the Dragon begins in the 9th year of Viserys Targaryen’s reign, i.e. in the year 112. His successor is also not completely clear: Viserys only daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) is a woman, which traditionally makes her accession to the throne difficult. Viserys also has one younger brother, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), who would be a potential heir to the throne as the closest male relative. But given his unpredictability and his sexual excesses, hardly anyone thinks he is capable of ruling.

In the first episode of House of the Dragon, Visery’s hope now rests on the pregnancy of a woman wife Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke). A male child would remove all disputes about the succession to the throne, and indeed Viserys bears a son. But both wife Aemma and that Baby BaelonViserys “Inheritance for a Day”, die at or shortly after the bloody birth.

This is the Targaryen family tree after Episode 1 of House of the Dragon:

At the end of the 1st episode House of the Dragon, King Viserys explains his daughter Rhaenyra heir to the throne after his death.

But that doesn’t mean Visery’s younger brother Daemon, who is unhappily married to Rhea Royce, has written off the throne entirely. Plus there’s Viserys’ once-ignored cousin Rhaenys with her influential husband Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and their two children Laena and Laenor (Savannah Steyn and Theo Nate), who were already seen at the jousting. Viserys’ hand is also last Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) with his daughter Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), Rhaenyra’s best friend, plans of her own.

You already guessed it: House of the Dragon still has a lot to do and the last word in terms of family tree, kinship and succession to the throne has not yet been spoken in the Game of Thrones prequel. We will keep you up to date.

Podcast: Can the new Game of Thrones series House of the Dragon succeed?

Game of Thrones is one of the most successful series ever, but the finale was controversial. What does the new GOT series House of the Dragon have to learn from the original and can this series succeed at all?

In the new episode of the Moviepilot podcast, we discuss this question. We explain when the new GOT offshoot is playing, what to think of the cast around Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith and ask ourselves what House of the Dragon absolutely needs to learn from Game of Thrones (and what not).

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So far, have you checked out all of the Targaryen family connections in the spoiler-free House of the Dragon family tree?