Who is Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon? Emma D'Arcy character explained

As Rhaenyra enters season 2 of the show, she's just faced the ultimate heartbreak, following the death of her son Lucerys Targaryen at the hands of Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).

Aemond's older brother, Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) sits on the Iron Throne, and is being steered by his mother Alicent and grandfather Otto Hightower.

But, as war approaches, can Rhaenyra win back her throne? Here's everything you need to know about the queen herself.

Who is Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon?

Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen is the daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Aemma Arryn. She's married to her uncle, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) but was previously married to Laenor Velaryon (John MacMillan) before his death.

Rhaenyra and Laenor had three children, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (played by Harry Collett), Lucerys Velaryon, who died at the end of season 1, and Joffrey Velaryon.

We first met Rhaenyra as a teenage girl in House of the Dragon, played by Milly Alcock, and then saw her portrayed as an adult by Emma D'Arcy.

When he was chosen by the lords of Westeros to be the next ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Viserys was predominantly chosen because he was a man, and they would rather the Old King Jaehaerys I Targaryen was succeeded by him instead of the next in line by blood, which at that point was his female cousin, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best).

This then prompted some discussion about whether Viserys could in good faith claim his only child, Rhaenyra, as the heir.

With the lack of a male heir and growing pressure from the king's hot-headed brother, Daemon, who was technically the next male heir, Viserys faced a tough decision – and it was complicated even further when his Hand, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), declared Daemon unfit for the role.

That ultimately saw King Viserys elect to name his daughter Princess of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne. However, Viserys later married Alicent Hightower, with the pair having two sons, Aegon and Aemond.

While Viserys remained steadfast in his decision to name Rhaenyra his heir, a conversation with Alicent on his deathbed changes the course of the Targaryen history.

Mistaking Alicent for his daughter, he references a conversation he and Rhaenyra had about Aegon the Conqueror's dream, the Song of Ice and Fire, and the "Prince that was promised", a story that is told from King to heir.

As Alicent wasn't party to that conversation, she believes Viserys is referring to their son Aegon and has changed his mind about his heir, making her believe that her son is the rightful heir to the throne.

By the end of season 1, the Greens and Blacks are fully divided and Rhaenyra sends her sons to the North and to Storm's End to rally allies. But Aemond chases Lucerys on his dragon Vhagar and accidentally kills him, heralding the start of a civil war or the Dance of Dragons.

A final shot in House of the Dragon season 1 sees Rhaenyra learning of the news of her son's death, with a look of grief and rage on her face.

Queen Rhaenyra rides on the dragon Syrax from the start of the series.

Who is actor Emma D'Arcy?

Actor Emma D'Arcy plays the older Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.

They are best known for their role in Truth Seekers in the Amazon Prime Video series starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg.

D'Arcy (31) also starred in Amazon Prime Video's HANNA and Netflix's Wanderlust alongside Toni Collette and Zawe Ashton.

The actor is non-binary and uses the pronouns they/them.

Who is actress Milly Alcock?

Milly Alcock is an Australian actress.

Viewers will best know Milly Alcock for her role in the Tim Minchin comedy-drama, Upright, where she played Meg, a youngster who was fairly lost. She will return for season 2 which was filmed from March 2022.

Milly has also had roles in Reckoning, The Gloaming (Starz), Les Norton, Fighting Season and Netflix's Pine Gap.

Most recently, the actress has been cast as Supergirl.

The 24-year-old was born in 2000 in Sydney, Australia.

She plays a young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon.

House of the Dragon season 2 will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK from 17th June – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV.

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