House of the Dragon is finally back with its third season, and after two years of waiting, fans needed a serious refresher going into the new episodes. From the battles and shocking deaths to the big misunderstandings and betrayals, the series has proven that House Targaryen at its height of power is nothing short of chaotic. Beyond the major moments, there’s also the large number of characters to keep up with. We all remember Rhaenyra and Alicent, but what about their kids and beyond?
The third season kicked off on June 21, so it’s about time we break this down. With multiple Aegons in the lineage and names that sound similar, it can be tough to remember it all even as a Fire & Blood reader. See our handy Targaryen family tree graphic, which focuses on Rhaenyra and Alicent’s families specifically, and keep scrolling for our more in-depth explanation of who’s who in season 3—and how they’re related.
*Note: There have been some changes between Fire & Blood and House of the Dragon, so we’re sticking with the House of the Dragon canon for the sake of this post as to not create confusion.*
Rhaenyra’s family (The Blacks)
House of the Dragon begins with Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock, Emma D’Arcy) but the series premiere actually opens with a flashback, showing how Rhaenyra’s father, Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), is chosen as his grandfather King Jaehaerys I Targaryen’s (Michael Carter) heir to the Iron Throne. Viserys was the son of Baelon and Alyssa Targaryen, who were also parents to Aegon Targaryen—who died before the events of the show—and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). Viserys was named heir over his cousin Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best), who becomes known as the Queen Who Never Was.
Viserys married Aemma Arryn (Siân Brooke) and they had two children: Rhaenyra and Baelon Targaryen. The latter is born in the House of the Dragon series premiere and sadly dies soon after Aemma does. After losing his wife, Viserys marries Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey, Olivia Cooke), and they have multiple children—but we’ll leave their side for the Greens section of this post.
As for Rhaenyra, she ends up marrying Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate, John Macmillan), who is the son of Rhaenys Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint). Because Laenor is secretly gay, he and Rhaenyra have an agreement in their marriage that they can seek out other lovers. This leads Rhaenyra to have children from another man, Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr). After Harwin’s death, Rhaenyra reconnects with her uncle Daemon, and they decide to marry. The only problem? She’s still married to Laenor.
Rhaenyra and Daemon form a scheme with Laenor to fake his death, allowing him to freely leave royalty and start a new life. (It’s been speculated he’s since died, but it hasn’t been confirmed). From there, Rhaenyra and Daemon have a secret wedding, and they end up having a couple of kids, too.
Backing up a bit, when Rhaenyra is busy starting a life with Laenor (and Harwin), Daemon ends up marrying Laena Velaryon (Nova Foueillis-Mosé, Savannah Steyn, Nanna Blondell) and they have two daughters. Laena sadly dies soon after childbirth, along with a stillborn son.
Speaking of the Velaryons, along with his children Laenor and Laena, Corlys has two bastards sons: Alyn (Abubakar Salim) and Addam (Clinton Liberty), who serve as two important participants on Rhaenyra’s side of the war.
How many kids does Rhaenrya have?
By the end of the House of the Dragon season 3 premiere, Rhaenyra has lost two sons by the hands of the Greens. So let’s breakdown her children (and step-children):
- Jacaerys Velaryon (Leo Hart, Harry Collett): Rhaenyra and Laenor’s oldest son, whose biological father is Harwin. Jace is Rhaenyra’s heir to the Iron Throne. He dies in the season 3 premiere during the Battle of the Gullet—along with his dragon Vermax—after being shot repeatedly by arrows.
- Lucerys Velaryon (Harvey Sadler, Elliot Grihault): Rhaenyra and Laenor’s second son, whose biological father is Harwin. Luke is named Corlys’ heir to Driftmark. He is killed in the season 1 finale—along with his dragon Arrax—by Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar.
- Joffrey Velaryon (Oscar Eskinazi): And finally, Rhaenyra and Laenor’s third and final son, whose biological father is also Harwin. In season 3, Joffrey is alive and is named Rhaenyra’s heir after Jace dies.
- Aegon Targaryen: Rhaenyra and Daemon’s first son. Aegon is sent away alongside his brother Viserys to the Free Cities in season 2.
- Viserys Targaryen: Rhaenyra and Daemon’s second son.
- Baela Targaryen (Shani Smethurst, Bethany Antonia): Rhaenyra’s stepdaughter, Daemon’s first daughter with Laena. Baela and Jace were betrothed before the latter’s untimely death.
- Rhaena Targaryen (Eva Ossei-Gerning, Phoebe Campbell): Rhaenyra’s stepdaughter, Daemon’s second daughter with Laena.
At the time of this writing, Rhaenyra has three living children and two living step-children. Rhaenyra was pregnant with a third child with Daemon, a daughter named Visenya, but she was a stillborn.
Is your head spinning yet, or are you still with us? Let’s move on to Alicent’s side of the family.
Alicent’s family (The Greens)
Of course, Alicent’s immediate family intertwines with Rhaenyra’s, given that Alicent marries Rhaenyra’s father in season 1. Alicent finally gives Viserys a male heir, which complicates the line of succession.
Though Viserys names Rhaenyra his heir in season 1, he dreamed of (literally) having a son who would follow him in line. Aemma is not able to give him one who lives, and after some deliberation, he decides Daemon would not be a fit, so he chooses Rhaenyra. But once Viserys does have a son, well, that causes doubts in Rhaenyra. Not from Viserys, but from pretty much everyone else.
Alicent is the daughter of Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) and Alyrie Hightower (sometimes spelled as Alerie), the latter died before the event of House of the Dragon. Alicent has multiple brothers, but Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) is the only one involved in House of the Dragon. Her cousin, Ormund Hightower (James Norton), is introduced in the season 3 premiere, and her uncle, Hobert Hightower (Steffan Rhodri), plays a minor role in seasons 1-2 before dying.
Alicent’s family tree is a little less complicated than Rhaenyra’s considering she does not marry a relative, however, her children do. So let’s talk about them!
How many kids (and grandkids) does Alicent have?
All of Alicent’s children are still living by House of the Dragon season 3, but the same can’t be said for her grandchildren. Take a look at the list:
- Aegon II Targaryen (Ty Tennant, Tom Glynn-Carney): Alicent and Viserys’ first son who usurps the throne from Rhaenyra. Because of a misunderstanding between Alicent and Viserys on the latter’s death bed in season 1, Alicent believes Viserys changed his mind about his heir. He didn’t. Aegon and his sister Helaena marry and have two children.
- Helaena Targaryen (Evie Allen, Phia Saban): Alicent and Viserys’ first and only daughter. She becomes the queen when her brother Aegon takes the Iron Throne.
- Aemond Targaryen (Leo Ashton, Ewan Mitchell): Alicent and Viserys’ second son.
- Daeron Targayren (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth): Alicent and Viserys’ third son. He is sent to Oldtown to be raised by the Hightowers as a child, and is introduced in the season 3 premiere (though sneakily).
- Jaehaerys Targaryen: Alicent and Viserys’ grandson, Aegon and Helaena’s son. He is killed in the season 2 premiere in an act that’s since been dubbed “Blood and Cheese.”
- Jaehaera Targaryen: Alicent and Viserys’ granddaughter, Aegon and Helaena’s daughter. She survives the Blood and Cheese incident. She was Jaehaerys’ twin.
In Fire & Blood, Aegon and Helaena have three children, but House of the Dragon has not depicted that, at least not where we are in the story at the time of this writing.
It’s a complicated family tree, and we’re not even talking the full Targaryen lineage here. Of course, characters from Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms both fit in here down the line, from Aegon “Egg” Targaryen (Dexter Sol Ansell) to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and more.
Keep getting to know the Targaryens as new episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 premiere every Sunday night on HBO and HBO Max.
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