Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon.

House of the Dragon season 2 sets up Rhaenyra’s replacement, the main protagonist of another Game of Thrones spin-off. While House of the Dragon‘s central cast is undoubtedly large, it is safe to dub Rhaanyra as the show’s protagonist. The clever marketing of Team Green vs. Team Black for season 2 may not track with this, but Rhaenyra’s claim in the Targaryen Dance of Dragons is the one most viewers will sympathize with, thus making her the lead character.

Rhaenyra’s sympathetic nature is akin to the Starks from Game of Thrones. The Starks and their children were the primary heroes of the first show based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book series. Although further back in the franchise’s timeline, Rhaenyra is arguably the same for House of the Dragon. Interestingly, by House of the Dragon season 2 episode 5’s ending, the protagonist of yet another Game of Thrones spin-off is teased thanks to Rhaenyra’s inspiration.

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House Of The Dragon Establishes Visenya Targaryen & Her Connection To Rhaenyra

One Of Aegon The Conqueror’s Sister-Wives Hangs Over House Of The Dragon

The character in question is Visenya Targaryen. In Westerosi history, Visenya is one of the three characters responsible for uniting the warring kingdoms into the united Seven Kingdoms, establishing the hierarchy of power and political landscape that permeates House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones. In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, Rhaenyra is shown perusing books about Visenya, reading up on the latter’s history. Through this scene and other elements, it is clear that Visenya Targaryen is someone who inspires Rhaenyra.

Visenya is someone whose example Rhaenyra wishes to follow. House of the Dragon season 2 has established Rhaenyra’s discontent at having to sit in Dragonstone while others fight a war in her name. Visenya was different, as she and her sister directly fought in Aegon’s Conquest to help instill their brother/husband as the leader of the united Seven Kingdoms. This inspiration shows how Visenya links to Rhaenyra, as does the latter naming her stillborn daughter after the former.

Getting Visenya Right Will Be Crucial To Game Of Thrones’ Aegon’s Conquest Show

The Upcoming Game Of Thrones Spin-Off Will Need To Perfect More than Just Aegon

By including scenes that detail Visenya’s inspiration for Rhaenyra, House of the Dragon is setting up the sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror as one the key protagonists of a Game of Thrones show going forward. Updates about the Aegon’s Conquest spin-off have been few and far between, but the series has been confirmed to be in development. If this show sees the light of day, nailing the characterization of Visenya will be just as crucial as it will Aegon the Conqueror himself.

While Aegon is naturally an important character – and the fulcrum upon which the entire world of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones hinges – Visenya and Rhaenys should be co-leads in the story of Aegon’s Conquest. The sister-wives of the Conqueror were just as important to the conquest of Westeros as Aegon was, something that Rhaenyra is clearly aware of in House of the Dragon. By showcasing how much Rhaenyra values Visenya as an inspirational figure, the show is teasing her replacement via the next protagonist of a Game of Thrones show.

House of the Dragon

Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

Cast

Jefferson Hall , Paddy Considine , Fabien Frankel , Ryan Corr , Eve Best , Gavin Spokes , Graham McTavish , Steve Toussaint , Olivia Cooke , Sonoya Mizuno , Bill Paterson , Matthew Needham , Emma D’Arcy , Matt Smith , Rhys Ifans , David Horovitch

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Seasons

2

Network

HBO Max

Directors

Miguel Sapochnik , Clare Kilner , Alan Taylor , Greg Yaitanes , Geeta Vasant Patel , Andrij Parekh

Showrunner

Ryan Condal

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