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

Michael Carter as King Jaehaerys Targaryen

This one is exciting, because we didn’t know if we were going to see this character. King Jaehaerys Targaryen is one of the important monarchs in the history of Westeros. He reigned during decades of peace and prosperity, but in his older years set the stage for the bloodshed of the Dance of the Dragons by passing over Rhaenys Targaryen to be his heir after his first-born son died. She and her progeny were passed over again at a later council where Jaehaerys was not present, at least not in the books. He couldn’t have known it at the time, but these decisions would go on to cost his family — and Westeros as a whole — dearly.

We’ll see Jaehaerys at least once in House of the Dragon, probably very early on and possibly even in the very first scene. He’s dead for the great majority of events that transpire of this story, but those councils I mentioned are so important to setting the stage that I can imagine the show opening with one of them.

As for who’s playing him, Michael Carter is a Scottish actor who’s had a long career in TV, film and on stage. He’s had notable roles in stuff like An American Werewolf in London and The Illusionist, although easily his most famous is as Jabba the Hutt’s lackey Bib Fortuna in 1981’s Return of the Jedi. He’s the guy with the long tentacle thing draped around his neck.

It’s possible we’ll see King Jaehaerys’ wife Queen Alysanne Targaryen as well, although we’re not sure, and in any case neither of them will be onscreen for long.