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Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Entertainment
Tracy Brown

'House of the Dragon': Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is 'the Queen Who Never Was.' Here's her backstory

The Targaryen family drama at the center of "House of the Dragon" is about to get more intense.

The reign of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) came to an end in the final moments of Episode 8, setting the stage for a conflict around succession. Because although Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) has long been his named heir, misunderstandings and outside agitators — like the King's Hand Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) — are just some of the obstacles the series has set up as roadblocks to her coronation.

Viserys' eldest son with Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Prince Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) has long been set up as the alternate candidate that others in the realm may choose to rally behind. But are there other contenders?

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