Who should be on the Iron Throne: Rhaenyra or Aegon? House of the Dragon stars cross the aisle

The second season of House of the Dragon is approaching, and HBO is rolling out the welcome mat. In a new promotional video, cast members are asked to name reasons why Rhaenyra Targaryen would make a good queen...and then to name reasons why her half-brother and rival Aegon II Targaryen would make a good king. In this new season, Rhaenyra and Aegon will be at each other's throats trying to secure the Iron Throne for themselves. In the marketing, HBO has gone hard on the idea that arguments can be made for either side deserving to win this war. Let's see if the actors can come up with any good ones:

Why should Rhaenyra rule?

Rhaenyra's faction are known as the Blacks while Aegon's are called the Greens. Members from both sides of the aisle weigh in on why Rhaenyra would make a good ruler:

• Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon II Targaryen): "Rhaenyra is very strong-willed, very driven. Intelligent, she makes very informed decisions. She's got a good heart. She's actually a pretty fucking cool person."

• Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon): "She's doing everything she can to avoid warfare. So I think that one thing alone would make her a good queen because she cares about her subjects."

• Emma D'Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen): "I think maybe a bizarre by-product of not having a more formal training in battle strategy is that she comes at problems from a different angle."

• Phoebe Campbell (Rhaena Targaryen): "Imagine that face on a coin!"

Good points all around. I fully endorse the idea of Emma D'Arcy's face going on the quarter.

Why should Aegon rule?

• Bethany Antonia (Baela Targaryen): "There's absolutely nothing I can say about Aegon, why he should be king. He shouldn't."

• Emma D'Arcy: "Historically the crown has only been worn by male monarchs, so he gets the continuity vote."

• Phoebe Campbell: "In season 2, you see a different side of Aegon. You're just like, 'Aw, you're just a sad boy. You wanna do right but you also want power.'"

• Tom Glynn-Carney: "I think Aegon is misunderstood in many ways. He would make a great king once he learns how to channel his fire."

• Steve Toussaint: "Ya know what, if it was Aegon listening to his mother, he would be a better king."

• Harry Collett (Jacaerys Velaryon): "The fact that he just has a drive and he is just pushing everybody out of his way to get to that goal; I thought that's just a perfect king quality."

Bethany Antonia plays Baela Targaryen, who fights for Rhaenyra. She's the only cast member not willing to cross the aisle, so to speak, and advocate for her rival. I liked that most everyone tried to say something nice about the opposing side when prompted, and I'm especially intrigued by Phoebe Campbell's take on Aegon. In the first season, Aegon mostly came off as a detestable wretch; we spent a lot more time with Rhaenyra and I don't think many people watching at home would choose Team Green over Team Black. But if the second season fleshes out characters like Aegon, we could have more of a horse race on our hands.

We'll how it all shakes out when the second season of House of the Dragon starts airing on HBO and Max on Sunday, June 16.

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