The number of Targaryens in the series House of the Dragon continues to climb with every time jump.
The Game of Thrones prequel series has focused on the direct blood relations of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), particularly his daughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).

Advertisement

However, recent episodes have seen other children of the King come to the forefront of the show, including his sons by his second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).

These boys are, of course, Prince Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).

Yet, there is someone else from House Targaryen in the source material that has not appeared in the show...

**Mild spoiler warnings for the book Fire and Blood and series House of the Dragon**

More like this

Where is Prince Daeron Targaryen in House of the Dragon?

Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon
Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon HBO

In the book Fire and Blood, King Viserys I Targaryen has four children with his second wife Queen Alicent Hightower.

  • Prince Aegon Targaryen
  • Princess Helaena Targaryen
  • Prince Aemond Targaryen
  • Prince Daeron Targaryen

However, fans of the series will likely note that only the eldest three of these children have been depicted in House of the Dragon.

Prince Daeron Targaryen, despite being Viserys and Alicent’s third son, was their most popular in the book due to his intelligence and kindness.

Daeron was born shortly after Prince Jacaerys Velaryon in the book and should have been mentioned in the series after the time jump that began episode 6. However, Daeron has yet to appear or even be mentioned in the series.

In the book, due to the feuding within the family, Daeron ended up a rival to the sons of his half-sister Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.

Daeron was also a dragonrider with a mount in the dragon Tessarion.

Tom Glynn-Carney as Prince Aegon Targaryen and Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Tom Glynn-Carney as Prince Aegon Targaryen and Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon HBO

At the age of 12, Daeron was sent to serve as a cupbearer and squire for House Hightower in Oldtown, leaving him firmly entrenched in Alicent’s faction known as the “Greens”.

When the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons breaks out, Daeron is still at Oldtown but eventually becomes a vital figure in the war despite only being aged 15.

Daeron is a popular figure who is well-liked in the fight for the succession rights of his older brother, Prince Aegon Targaryen.

In the book, the people of Westeros come to return to Daeron as "Daeron the Daring".

It seems, however, that the character may yet still appear in the show after all and is indeed residing in Oldtown.

Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower, Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon
Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower, Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon Ollie Upton/HBO

In a blog post by George R. R. Martin reflecting on the television adaptation, he reflected: "Do I wish we’d had more time to explore the relationship between Rhaenyra and Ser Harwin, the marriage of Daemon and Laena and their time in Pentos, the birth of various and sundry children (and YES, Alicent gave Viserys four children, three sons and a daughter, their youngest son Daeron is down in Oldtown, we just did not have the time to work him in this season), and everything else we had to skip? Sure.

"But there are only so many minutes in an episode (more on HBO than on the network shows I once wrote for), and only so many episodes in a season."

Meanwhile, after the airing of the season 1 finale 'The Black Queen', showrunner Ryan Condal teased a role for Daeron going ahead.

Olivia Cooke as Queen Mother Alicent Hightower, Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon
Olivia Cooke as Queen Mother Alicent Hightower, Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon Ollie Upton/HBO

Condal revealed to Variety: "He does exist. No worries, everybody. He’s the youngest son. He’s warded off at Oldtown to Hobert Hightower and soon to Ormond Hightower, who is Hobert’s nephew, who becomes Lord of Oldtown.

"Honestly, this stuff happened all the time in this world. It’s not our modern day where if you had a 6-year-old, you would FaceTime them every day and see how they’re doing and write letters. He’s there. That’s the fact.

"When he is relevant to be mentioned — and he will be — he will be mentioned."

So, it does seem as though Daeron could make a daring appearance in the upcoming second season.

Read more:

House of the Dragon airs on Sky Atlantic and is available on NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.

Advertisement

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement