"Game of Thrones" introduced audiences to the various houses, great and small, that populate the lands in and around Westeros — starting with the Targaryens, Starks, Baratheons and Lannisters. Set almost 200 years before the events of the flagship series, "House of the Dragon," which premiered Sunday on HBO, depicts the distant ancestors of well-known houses and familiarizes viewers with lesser-known clans as they orbit around the Seven Kingdoms' seat of power, the Iron Throne.
At the outset, "House of the Dragon" is primarily focused on members of House Targaryen, the current ruling family, and their closest allies. But the "Game of Thrones" prequel series boasts an expansive cast of characters, often with names that are barely distinct from somebody just as significant. Here's a guide to those we meet in Sunday's premiere and expect to play a key role in the series going forward.
House Targaryen
