Alicent and Rhaenyra’s Secret Love Is the Heart of ‘House of the Dragon’

Since the first episode of Game of Thrones-spinoff House of the Dragon aired back in August 2022, the series has garnered a fandom that not even its predecessor could reach. From fan accounts dedicated to Team Black to the official Succession Twitter account going to bat for Team Green, this show’s impact has definitely surpassed initial expectations. But in a story filled with beheadings, dragon fire, and steamy drama, it’s a friendship that remains one of the most compelling parts of House of the Dragon—and has made fans, queer and straight, go wild.

When House of the Dragon begins, young Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) and Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) are the best of friends. We are introduced to them both when Rhaenyra dismounts from her dragon and walks to a carriage where Alicent awaits. As they stroll casually through the Red Keep arm in arm, they’re the perfect image of childhood friendship. But, as the series goes on, for many fans, friendship blossoms into romance. The two share yearning glances and touches, and Rhaenyra dreams of a life where the two ride “on dragonback, see the great wonders across the Narrow Sea, and eat only cake.” Any chance of love is quickly stifled, though, when Alicent’s father Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) begins to plot his daughter’s betrothal to King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) after his wife Aemma (Sian Brooke) dies in childbirth.

In true Game of Thrones fashion, Alicent is forced to become her childhood companion’s step-mother, which sets off the downward spiral of their relationship. By the end of Season 1, an older Alicent (now played by Olivia Cooke) has usurped Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) throne and made her son Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) king; meanwhile, her other son Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) has killed Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), Rhaenyra’s child. While it seems like a point of no return for the two women, Season 2 makes it clear that they are still the heart of the show.

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