House of the Dragon stars explain why Team Green is "way more interesting"

The second season of House of the Dragon is almost upon us, and it's gonna be all-our war. Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and her younger half-brother Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) both have a claim to the Iron Throne, but in the end there can only be one. Rhaenyra's followers, known as the Blacks, are ready to battle Aegon's followers, known as the Greens. Who will triumph? Who will die trying? And most importantly, which side is cooler?

Thus far, the show has depicted the members of Team Black as more likable and righteous, although there are certainly some black marks upon their record. But the members of Team Green definitely seem more chaotic, what with King Aegon assaulting serving girls and his younger brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) killing his nephew on dragonback.

But maybe you like a little spice in your coffee. That's the stance that actor Tom Glynn-Carney took when explaining the Greens are the side to beat at the CCXP convention earlier this month. "We belong in that castle, we've grown up there," he said on a panel with his fellow House of the Dragon stars. "We're also way more interesting, I think."

Ewan Mitchell pitched in by rewriting the history of what happened when Aemond Targaryen lost his eye, showing a real flair for showmanship. "There were a lot of adults who stood idly by the day Aemond had his eye carved out. What could have been resolved with simple words of apology was left to fester," he said, leaving out that Aemond's mother Alicent (Olivia Cooke) demanded that the eye of Rhaenyra's son Luke (Elliot Grihault) be taken out in return. "Aemond forgives but he does not forget."

That's another stretch; I don't think Aemond forgives or forgets, but I like that he's having fun. "We are out-gunned, we are out-dragoned, we do not posses the naval fleet of the Sea Snake. If you are Team Green, you are Team underdog," Mitchell continued. Tom Glynn-Carney picked up the ball and dunked it: "And who doesn't love to support an underdog?"

Finally, Mitchell explained why Team Green has a chance in the coming Targaryen-vs-Targaryen war despite not having as many dragons as Team Black: they have Vhagar, who is "the oldest, baddest dragon in the known world...I don't want to throw shade on Syrax or Vermax, but they've not seen what Vhagar has seen. But June 16, she will teach them." See what I mean? Showmanship.

"There is a moment in every episode [of House of the Dragon season 2] that blows your mind"

Tom Glynn-Carney isn't lacking in showmanship either. "I think there is a moment in every episode that blows your mind," he said. "Every single episode is as punchy as the next one. I think just in general, season 2 feels more desperate, it feels more dangerous, it feels like the stakes are a lot higher." Sold.

Glynn-Carney also talked a little more specifically about Aegon's journey as a newly crowned king. "At the start of Season 2, we see Aegon getting used to wearing the crown. He is enjoying how comfortable the Iron Throne is," he said. "He is starting his journey making sure that people around the Small Council, the small folk of King's Landing and beyond, respect him, and understand that he's the king, and should be loved and feared at the same time."

"I think we see a different side to Aegon this time. We see someone who's attempting to take this new responsibility in stride and harness his power in a way that serves him, King's Landing and Westeros as a whole. We also see how fractured Aegon is as a person — his weaknesses, his vulnerability, his desperation to be respected and be acknowledged even. And I think when you have nothing to lose, as Aegon has experienced for a long time, that makes somebody quite dangerous."

The second season of House of the Dragon premieres on HBO and Max on Sunday, June 16. May the best hue win.

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

h/t Collider