What Happens To Every Major ‘House of the Dragon’ Character in the Books

Please be aware that the following contains major spoilers for seasons 3 and 4 of House of the Dragon, as they are based on events from the book Fire & Blood.

The story of House of the Dragon comes from an existing book, so fans likely already know what happens to the characters. After the divisive finale of Game of Thrones in 2019, HBO is hoping to revitalize the series with this prequel, which focuses on a historical civil war called the Dance of the Dragons. The show takes place almost 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and is based on material George R.R. Martin has been writing since the 1990s.

The Dance of the Dragons was first introduced in George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones, but the full story wasn’t revealed until the 2018 book, Fire & Blood. That book served as the primary source material for the House of the Dragon TV series. While the show has made some changes to the story, the book provides a good idea of where each character’s journey is going.

Criston Cole

Max, 2022

Criston Cole has become the most disliked character in House of the Dragon, so many viewers will be glad to hear his storyline may be wrapping up soon. According to the book, he leads soldiers to the Riverlands to help Aemond capture Harrenhal, but this attempt ultimately fails for the Greens. They do briefly recapture the castle from Daemon, but Rhaenyra’s forces had already moved on, and the Riverlands and Northern armies were preparing for war – a development hinted at in the season 2 finale of House of the Dragon.

Aemond and Criston are both left feeling defeated and disagree on their next move. Fueled by rage, Aemond flies off on Vhagar to burn the Riverlands, while Criston tries to regroup with the main Hightower army marching from the Reach. However, he’s ambushed by the Winter Wolves and Riverlords at a battle known as the Butcher’s Ball. This event is planned for the end of season 3, aligning with the previously announced departure of actor Fabien Frankel from the show.

Otto Hightower

HBO

Ser Otto Hightower’s future is uncertain due to significant changes made to his storyline. After losing his position as Hand of the King early in season two, he wasn’t seen again until the end, where it was revealed he’s been imprisoned. Both fans of the show and those who have read the books are left wondering where and how he ended up this way, as it deviates from the original story.

In the story, Rhaenyra successfully reclaims King’s Landing soon after Aemond departs for Harrenhal, and Otto Hightower is executed when she arrives. Considering how talented actor Rhys Ifans is, it’s probable that House of the Dragon will continue to feature him, perhaps by involving him in storylines in the South with new characters like Prince Daeron and Ormund Hightower.

Alicent Hightower

HBO

Alicent is a rare survivor of the Dance of the Dragons, but her life doesn’t improve much after the war. She experiences immense loss, as nearly everyone she loves – including all her children and her father – dies during the conflict. After the fighting stops, she’s imprisoned in a tower within the Red Keep, where she remains until her death, which comes not long after.

Alicent spends her last days filled with sadness, clearly regretting her actions and deeply grieving. This was hinted at earlier in the season when she left King’s Landing seeking peace in the countryside. Having felt trapped by her duties her whole life, she’s now left to face the consequences of her choices, isolated and forced to contemplate the widespread devastation that resulted.

Aemond Targaryen

HBO, 2022

Throughout season 2 of House of the Dragon, hints have suggested Aemond Targaryen’s eventual death. He transformed his anger and jealousy into skill, becoming a formidable warrior and dragonrider—a major asset for the Greens, especially while riding the largest and most powerful dragon in the Seven Kingdoms. However, like many powerful figures in Westeros, Aemond’s pride will likely be his downfall.

After retaking Harrenhal, Aemond furiously searches for Daemon, flying across the Riverlands and burning everything in his path while challenging his uncle to a fight. As expected in a story like this, they eventually clash in a deadly duel on their dragons above the Gods Eye at Harrenhal. Daemon emerges victorious by jumping from Caraxes and fatally stabbing Aemond through the eye, resulting in both Targaryens and their dragons plummeting to their deaths.

Helaena Targaryen

HBO

Helaena Targaryen is portrayed as a deeply unfortunate character during the Dance of the Dragons. Despite being harmless, she becomes a casualty of the war. Following Rhaenyra’s conquest of King’s Landing, those loyal to Aegon try to smuggle Aegon and Helaena’s children to safety, but they don’t survive the attempt. In the books, Helaena takes her own life after discovering their fate. However, the show might alter the circumstances of her death, as she has only two children in House of the Dragon, and one has already died.

Aegon Targaryen

HBO

Aegon suffered serious injuries in the second season of House of the Dragon, but he continued to be a symbolic leader for the Greens for some time after the events at Rook’s Rest. At the end of the season, viewers saw Aegon and Larys escaping King’s Landing to save the king’s life. He’ll now go into hiding until he’s ready to act again. The show also implied that Aegon’s dragon, Sunfyre, had died, which is a change from the book series.

In Fire & Blood, Aegon is reunited with his injured dragon and, with the aid of a betrayer named Ser Alfred Broome, they recapture Dragonstone. Following Rhaenyra’s death, Aegon returns to King’s Landing and attempts to rally troops for a battle he’s likely to lose, as the armies of the North and Riverlands defeat his forces just outside the city. Ultimately, Aegon is poisoned by his own supporters, who hope to end the war by killing him.

Corlys Velaryon

HBO

Corlys Velaryon is a legendary figure in Westeros, and his adventures predate the great war known as the Dance. Remarkably, he survives the conflict and becomes one of the rulers governing the Seven Kingdoms afterward. Though he lives only a year longer, Corlys proves to be a powerful and influential leader, helping to rebuild Westeros and cementing his place as a truly remarkable figure.

Jacaerys Velaryon

HBO

Jacaerys Velaryon quickly became a popular character in season 2 of House of the Dragon, but unfortunately, his time on the show is cut short. He dies in the Battle of the Gullet when he flies too close to enemy ships and is knocked from his dragon, spoiling what would have been a decisive win for Rhaenyra. Throughout the series, Jace was eager to support his family, but his lack of experience ultimately leads to his death, as foreshadowed in Fire & Blood.

Daemon Targaryen

HBO

We already knew Aemond and Daemon would fight, and in that battle, Daemon wins but is also killed. While Aemond’s body and his dragon are found, Daemon disappears, leaving people to wonder what really happened to him. As fans of Game of Thrones know, characters can survive even after seemingly dying, so it’s possible Daemon isn’t truly gone.

Okay, so Daemon seemingly disappearing is huge, and honestly, I’m trying to figure out where the show goes from here. It’s totally possible he’s really gone, but the way season 2 built up all this magical stuff around him at Harrenhal makes me think there’s more to the story. I’ve seen some wild fan theories – like him becoming the Three-Eyed Raven or even the Night King – but I don’t think those will actually happen, personally.

Rhaenyra Targaryen

Max

Most viewers are hoping Rhaenyra will win in House of the Dragon, so the actual ending is likely to be shocking. While she briefly manages to reclaim King’s Landing, things quickly fall apart with widespread chaos and violence, forcing her to retreat. When she returns to Dragonstone, she discovers her own forces have switched sides and are now loyal to her half-brother, Aegon. He captures and ultimately executes her, though the fighting doesn’t stop there.

Even though Rhaenyra’s death was hinted at throughout both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones – and was even directly mentioned by Joffrey Baratheon when he talked about Targaryen history – it will likely still surprise viewers. The TV series has portrayed Rhaenyra as a more relatable and sympathetic character than in the original stories.

2025-10-21 02:05