All the actors in House of The Dragon, and who they’re playing

Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen

Matt Smith is most famous for his role as the Eleventh Doctor on Doctor Who, but to get an idea of what he could bring to the character of Daemon Targaryen, I’d look at his picture-perfect performance as Prince Phillip in the first two seasons of The Crown. Phillip is a complex character with a traumatic past, haughty attitude and outsized ego, but Smith played him in a way that highlighted his human side, showing us how even his most despicable moments are motivated by a desperate desire to secure his place in the world. A lot of this maps neatly onto Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of the king.

Daemon is the most feared warrior and dragon-rider in Westeros. He rides the battle-tested Caraxes, called the Blood Wyrm, and shares his bloodlust. Together they war in the Stepstones, and later during the Dance.

Daemon has plenty of normal lust too and takes a number of lovers over the course of the series, including his own niece Rhaenyra, whom he eventually weds. Daemon has a stormy-but-respectful relationship with his older brother King Viserys, and made enemies wherever he went.  But as larger-than-life as he is, he also maintained connections with the smallfolk, particularly Mysaria, and could call upon her network to his advantage. Daemon consorts with hitmen, gold cloaks, pirates, sorcerers, witches, dragons, and all manner of low-lives in order to give himself more power, knowledge, and influence. He is deeply feared among the greens, and his support of Rhaenyra’s claim is essential to her fight.

Smith is going to be absolutely riveting in this role. I can’t wait to see him bring his devilish grin, piercing stares, and terrifying charm to the World of Ice and Fire.