Summary
Game of Thronesproduced some of the most memorable dramatic performances in television history, with the likes of Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey receiving rave reviews for their stunning bows on HBO’s flagship offering. It’s a tradition thatHouse of the Dragonappears to be set on continuing, with the prequel series' supremely talented cast producing an array of performances for the ages.
Frommenacing dragon ridersto scheming politicians, the talented performers who make upHouse of the Dragon’s rich and diverse cast have been no small part of the prequel’s success, enticing viewers back on a weekly basis off the back of their stellar interpretation of George R.R. Martin’s compelling characters.
10Matthew Needham (Larys Strong)
Plays The Quiet Villain Role Exceptionally Well
Matthew Needham’s foreboding take on Larys Strong draws from an array of greatGame of Thronesvillainswho came before him. A terrifying blend of cunning and ruthlessness capable of ordering his own family’s deaths, it says a lot that the unimposing Needham steals every scene he appears in while barely raising his voice louder than a whisper.
Breathing life into a nuanced villain with a uniquely sinister brand of his own, Needham has staked a claim as one of television’s most unnerving antagonists despite his limited screen time to date. The actor’s reserved interpretation of Larys magnificently masks the manipulative motivations of his character’s heart in a manner that would make the likes of Petyr Baelish proud.
9Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen)
An Unforgettable Portrayal Of A Complex Character
The fiery demise of"The Queen Who Never Was"at the hands (and jaws) of Aemond and Vhagar in “The Red Dragon and the Gold” marked the departure of one ofHouse of the Dragon’s most riveting characters. A gracefully regal presence every time she appeared on screen, Eve Best’s take on the indomitable Rhaenys Targaryen will be sorely missed.
Whether she was wearing the cape of a fearsome dragon rider, a grieving mother or a world-weary wife,The King’s Speechalum was exemplary from start to finish in her time on the show. The sequence depicting her demise is a legitimate tearjerker and one of the show’s saddest moments to date, serving as another testament to Best’s outstanding talents.
8Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower)
A Capable Actor Who Effortlessly Showcases Both Sides Of Alicent’s Personality
A front-runner forHouse of the Dragon’s most morally ambiguous character, Olivia Cooke has been sensational in her time as Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower. TheSound of Metalstar has produced a nuanced performance of the highest order,a polarizing individualwho simultaneously evokes sympathy and contempt from audiences in equal measure.
The strength of Cooke’s performance is derived from her flawless ability to lend credibility to both sides of Alicent’s personality, a dispassionate, world-weary exterior juxtaposed against the almost feral desperation that shines through in moments like the sequence where she attempts to remove Lucerys Velaryon’s eye.
7Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower)
Delivers A Memorable Performance As A Morally Devoid Character
Rhys Ifans' calculating take on Otto Hightower has been a sinister spectacle to behold. George R.R. Martin’s answer to Thomas Cromwell, the longtime Hand ofthe King’s Machiavellian schemingand implacable pursuit of furthering his house’s legacy has garnered him a reputation as one ofHouse of the Dragon’s most ruthless characters.
Such lofty accolades are due in no small part to the memorable performance turned in by Ifans. The Welshman’s Shakespearean delivery and inimitable gravitas has been magnificent in every episode he has appeared in, effortlessly breathing life into one of the show’s most morally devoid characters.
6Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen)
Makes An Already Incredible Character Even More Compelling
It was always going to take a powerhouse performance to do Rhaenyra Targaryen’s character justice; step forward Emma D’Arcy. Seamlessly picking up where the equally impressive Milly Alcock left off, their riveting take on “The Black Queen” has been nothing short of breathtaking.
D’Arcy illustrates the gradual change in Rhaenyra’s personality in an exceptional manner; a mother relentlessly worn down by the stress of her position, her children’s illegitimacy, and Alicent’s scheming. However, it’s after the death of her son Lucerys that they particularly begin to shine, expertly conveying the grief of a woman torn between her responsibilities as a parent and her duties as heir to the throne.
5Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon Targaryen)
Can Easily Switch Between Sadistic And Vulnerable At A Moment’s Notice
While his character is decidedly not a fan favorite after a litany of morally questionable moments inHouse of the Dragon,Tom Glynn-Carney’s bow asKing Aegon Targaryenis a far more nuanced performance than his penchant for sadistically childish behavior would indicate.
Aegon’s vulgar antics often distract from the complex personality Glynn-Carney has imbued his charge with; a young man riddled with insecurities who is actually deeply invested in becoming a great king. It’s a testament to the layered nature of the young actor’s memorable performance that audiences never know what version of Aegon will be arriving onscreen.
4Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen)
Brings A Harrowing Intensity To Every Scene He Appears In
Ewan Mitchell has come a long way from his humble beginnings as the amiable Osferth inThe Last Kingdom. Taking on the role of one of the Dance of the Dragons' most prominent and complex players in Aemond “One-Eye” Targaryen is no small feat, but theSaltburnalum has taken to his new role like a duck to water.
Mitchell’squiet intensity and foreboding aurahas brought one of George R.R. Martin’s most compelling characters to life in jaw-dropping fashion. Effortlessly commanding the viewer’s attention, the Englishman is a magnetic presence in every scene Aemond appears in, offering a seemingly unflappable exterior sharply juxtaposed against the unhinged glint that subtly flashes from his one remaining eye.
3Milly Alcock (Young Rhaenyra Targaryen)
Expertly Captures The Essence Of A Young And Ambitious Targaryen
A virtual unknown before the 2022 debut ofHouse of the Dragon,it’s safe to say that Milly Alcock’s performance as a younger version of Rhaenyra Targaryen blew unsuspecting audiences out of the water in short order.
Invoking comparisons with Emilia Clarke’s Daenaerys Targaryen, the Australian actress exuded the fiery disposition associated with House Targaryen like it was second nature. In her time on the show, Alcock effortlessly captured the very essence of the tenacious young Rhaenyra, expertly showcasing the invincibility and ambition of youth coupled with an impetuous contempt for the inhibitions posed by tradition and decorum.
2Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen)
Offers A Mesmerizing Interpretation Of A Truly Terrifying Character
Such is the strength of the unforgettable performance turned in by Matt Smith, the notion of somebody other than theDoctor Whoalum playing Daemon Targaryen inHouse of the Dragonis absolutely laughable. Smith’s take on the Rogue Prince is mesmerizing, a swirling cocktail of ruthless ambition and smoldering menace housed within a character possessing a penchant for some of the morememorable one-linersin recent memory.
The actor’s mercurial interpretation of Daemon doesn’t need to even open his mouth to steal the scene. Smith is capable of doing more with a barely perceptible change in his facial expressions than most performers can accomplish with a lengthy Shakespearean monologue.
1Paddy Considine (Viserys Targaryen)
Provides A Heartbreaking Take On A Flawed King
The casting of Paddy Considine likely raised a number of eyebrows whenHouse of the Dragonwas first announced. Not only was the Englishman practically typecast as a conflicted antihero, but his rugged features didn’t exactly scream “Valyrian monarch.”
Of course, that was before Considine donned the iconic platinum wig and proceeded to produce one of the most emotionally stirring television performances in recent memory. The actor lent heartbreaking legitimacy to hisportrayal of Viserys Targaryenfrom the early stages of his rule to his final days as a dying man full of regrets, exquisitely capturing the essence of an individual who only wished to see his beloved family coexist in harmony.
