Celebrating the women of House of the Dragon

Mysaria (played by Sonoya Mizuno)

Mysaria is a dancer from Lys who gains the favor of Prince Daemon Targaryen while working in King’s Landing. After the two become lovers, Daemon presents their unborn child with a dragon egg, like a Targaryen would to their legitimate children. This angers King Viserys, who orders Mysaria to be sent back to Essos; on the journey there, she loses the child.

When the civil war begins, Mysaria comes into her own. She sets up a network of spies and informants and becomes Rhaenyra’s mistress of whisperers in all but name. She also keeps up her relationship with Daemon, even though by this point he is married to Rhaenyra. But there is no jealousy between them, only trust. Mysaria is called Lady Misery and the White Worm, due to her pale skin and hair.

Helaena Targaryen (rumored to be played by Phia Saban and Evie Allen)

Princess Helaena Targaryen is the daughter of King Viserys and Queen Alicent. She has a happy childhood in King’s Landing and is sweet, empathic, and good-natured. Her half-sister Rhaenyra thinks of her fondly.

Helaena may not have the full Targaryen look, but she rides her dragon Dreamfyre by 12 and marries her brother Prince Aegon the Elder by 13. She gives him three children whom she loves immensely. This means she joins Aegon and his greens when the war breaks out, although that’s mostly because she finds herself on that side. She isn’t very combative by nature.

After the death of her father, Helaena is crowned Queen of Westeros by her mother, the Queen Dowager. The civil war gravely impacts Helaena’s mental health and she sinks into depression.

There are a lot more women who were important in the Dance of the Dragons. And there are many amazing women who work behind the scenes of House of the Dragon, including directors Clare Kilner and Geeta V. Patel, writers Charmaine De Grate, Sara Hess, Eileen Shim, producers Hannah Godwin, Alexis Raben, Megan Ott, Karen Wacker, and more. We salute them all!

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels