What the Characters of “House of the Dragon” Would Look Like If They Were Played By Hollywood Stars

The new HBO prequel, House of the Dragon, is based on George R. R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood. Fans of Game of Thrones will see Westeros almost 2 centuries before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen and witness her ancestors at their peak before a tragic downfall.

Before the release of the series, Internet users were debating the possible cast. Not everyone was happy with the producers’ choices: some people imagined the characters differently, and others pointed out the differences from the book. We decided to use AI and imagine what the top Hollywood stars would look like in House of the Dragon.

Viserys I Targaryen — Mads Mikkelsen

Paddy Considine played King Viserys I Targaryen. His most famous role was Father John Hughes, the main antagonist in season 3 of Peaky Blinders.

Martin describes Viserys as a kind and decent man and regrets that in his book, Viserys never quite achieved the tragic majesty.

Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen — Anya Taylor-Joy

In the first episodes, young Rhaenyra was played by Australian actress Milly Alcock. She was in several dramatic TV series and was named a 2018 rising star by the Casting Guild of Australia.

The book says that she was praised as the “realm’s delight,” proud and stubborn, with a certain petulance to her small mouth. She was quick to anger and never forgot a slight.

Rhaenyra Targaryen — Margo Robbie

The older Rhaenyra is played by Emma D’Arcy. Many remember her from Hanna, where she played Sonia Richter, a CIA agent.

According to the book, after having a child, Rhaenyra put on some weight, but, of course, we won’t see that in the series.

Young Alicent Hightower — Jenna Ortega

Emily Carey plays young Alicent Hightower, the Hand’s daughter, and the future second wife of King Viserys I Targaryen. The British actress started her career at the age of 9 and is well-known as the young Diana from Wonder Woman (2017) and the young Lara from Tomb Raider (2018).

Martin described Alicent as precocious at 15 and clever and lovely at the age of 18.

Alicent Hightower — Eva Green

Adult Alicent is played by Olivia Cooke. Her most famous roles were in Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One and in the popular series, Bates Motel.

As Martin wrote, after having given birth 4 times, Alicent remained as slender and graceful as before the first pregnancy.

Daemon Targaryen — Tom Hiddleston

Matt Smith, who portrayed the impulsive younger brother of Viserys and Rhaenyra’s uncle, is most famous for the role of the eleventh Doctor Who and Prince Philip from The Crown.

Otto Hightower — Ethan Hawke

The role of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King and father of Alicent, went to Rhys Ifans. One of his most famous roles is Dr. Curtis Connors, the Lizard from The Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Martin describes this character as haughty, blunt, and domineering.

Rhaenys Targaryen — Tilda Swinton

Princess Rhaenys, who’s also called the Queen Who Never Was, is played by Eve Best. One of her most famous roles is Wallis Simpson in the 2010 film, The King’s Speech.

Martin writes that Rhaenys was a great beauty with violet eyes and black hair, but by the time she was 55, she had a lean, lined face, and her black hair was streaked with white. She is a clever, capable, spirited, proud, fierce, and fearless woman.

Criston Cole — Henry Cavill

Fabien Frankel played Criston Cole. It’s the beginning of his career, but you might remember him from The Serpent on BBC One and Netflix.

Criston has coal-black hair and pale green eyes, and he is a skilled warrior.

Harwin Strong — Jason Momoa

The strongest person in the Seven Kingdoms is played by Ryan Corr, whom fans of Australian movies know very well. You might remember him from Mary Magdalene with Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix.

In the book, this character is a massive and redoubtable person.

Jason and Tyland Lannister — Matt Damon

The Lannister brothers are twins, so they were played by the same actor, Jefferson Hall. He was in an episode of Game of Thrones as Jon Arryn’s squire.

Both brothers, in the book, are tall and have golden hair.

Grand Maester Mellos — Russell Crowe

The Grand Maester Mellos, the personal doctor of the King, is played by David Horovitch, best known for playing the character of Inspector Slack in Miss Marple.

In Fire & Blood, there were 2 Grand Maesters during most of Viserys I’s reign: Runciter and then Mellos. The TV series condensed both into one character.

Larys Strong — Tom Holland

Larys Strong is played by Matthew Needham, who is a British theater actor.

Larys is known as “Clubfoot” due to an injury he was born with. Martin describes him as convincing and amiable when needed.

How would you change the House of the Dragon cast, or do you think it’s perfect?