The first episode of Game of Thrones premiered on HBO on April 17, 2011. The series took the world by storm and has paved the way for the spinoff show: House of the Dragon. House of the Dragon takes place almost 200 years before the events in Game of Thrones and 172 years before Daenerys Targaryen was born.
The show's first episode had a staggering 9.9 million viewers while Game of Thrones' first episode brought in 2.2 million. This shows that not only is this universe still very popular, but it's also still gaining new fans.
10 Larys Strong
Lord Larys Strong, also known as Larys Clubfoot, is played by Matthew Needham. He is the second son of Lord Lyonel Strong. He quickly allies himself with Queen Alicent Hightower and gets rid of his father and older brother in order to show allegiance while furthering his own standing.
Many fans call him this show's "Littlefinger" since the actor does a great job exuding a creepy and untrustworthy vibe. While the elimination of his family landed a hard personal blow to Rhaenyra and catapulted him to become Lord of Harrenhal, he hasn't really done much else to affect the storyline yet.
9 Criston Cole
Criston Cole, played by Fabien Frankel, was hand chosen by Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen to serve in her father's Kingsguard. King Viserys entrusted his daughter's safety to him and the two became really close. When things ended with Rhaenyra, and he stained his white cloak further, he came close to ending his life before Queen Alicent saved him.
He's portrayed perfectly, however, his character hasn't done much to affect the storyline aside from acting like a bitter, scorned ex-lover. His actions in the show's second half are either ordered by Alicent or done out of jealousy and pettiness.
8 Aemond Targaryen
Aemond Targaryen, played by Leo Ashton and Ewan Mitchell, is the third child of King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower. His claiming of Vhagar leads to an altercation between Rhaenyra's sons and Daemon's daughters. This, along with bullying, molds most of his personality seen after a time jump.
While the confrontation that ended in Lucerys Targaryen's death was a critical part of starting the following civil war, the effects of this haven't been seen yet. Nor have we really seen just how important the Greens having Vhagar on their side is.
7 Corlys Velaryon
Corlys Velaryon, played by Steve Toussaint, is married to Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Corlys is an ambitious man who is still mad that his wife was passed over in terms of succession. He lobbies hard for his lineage to end up on the Iron Throne resulting in his children's deaths.
This first season has already seen him as an important player on the board and a valuable ally. He and Prince Daemon Targaryen work together to clear out the Stepstones, and he commands the Velaryon fleet. His allegiance to the Blacks will definitely influence the coming war.
6 Otto Hightower
Otto Hightower, played by Rhys Ifans, is King Viserys' Hand and Queen Alicent's father. At the beginning of the show, he seems to be very loyal to the king. However, once Queen Aemma dies, his power-hungry side comes out, and successfully places his daughter as the next queen.
Otto becomes quite ruthless towards the end of the show. He makes unilateral decisions when King Viserys is indisposed and tries to convince Alicent and her son, Aegon, that Rhaenyra and her children must die since they threaten their seat on the Iron Throne.
5 Rhaenys Targaryen
Princess Rhaenys, played by Eve Best, is also known as the Queen Who Never Was. When King Jaehaerys I died, Rhaenys was the next in line for the throne having been Prince Aemon's daughter. However, it was decided that the throne should go to Prince Baelon's male heir instead.
After this slight, Rhaenys isn't as driven to further her family as her husband, Corlys Velaryon, is. Had she done the realm a favor and ended the war before it began as she was escaping from King's Landing, she would have catapulted to the top of this list.
4 Alicent Hightower
Alicent Hightower, beautifully played by Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke, was Princess Rhaenyra's best friend at the beginning of the show. Through her father's scheming, King Viserys marries her when his first wife dies giving birth. This is the first of many blows that rip the friendship apart and pit old friends against each other.
Years of unhappiness and jealousy have molded her into the rather cold queen she became at the end of the season. The moves she makes that start from the moment she married King Viserys lay the groundwork for much of the turmoil between the Blacks and the Greens.
3 Rhaenyra Targaryen
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, perfectly played by Milly Alcock and Emma D'Arcy, is the only living child of King Viserys I and Queen Aemma Arryn. Her relationship with her father becomes strained after he announces that he will wed Alicent after her mother dies in childbirth. Though he eventually has a son with Alicent, King Viserys keeps Rhaenyra as his heir.
Many of Rhaenyra's choices and King Viserys' choices involving her have consequences that reverberate in the storyline. From being named heir even though she is female, her marriage with Laenor, the question of her sons' legitimacy, and her eventual marriage to Daemon, Rhaenyra is a crucial piece in the history of Westeros.
2 Viserys Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen, superbly played by Paddy Considine, succeeds his grandfather even though Rhaenys is the daughter of King Jaehaerys' second son. He inherits the throne during a long time of peace and tries his best to keep things that way. However, he breeds divided factions when he names Rhaenyra his heir and when he names her sons her legitimate heirs.
Since he is king, his actions and misunderstandings directly affect his kingdom and the storyline. Add in Paddy Considine's great acting and the only character that could take first place is another fan favorite.
1 Daemon Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen, perfectly played by Matt Smith, is King Viserys' younger brother. He is the heir until King Viserys disinherits him and names his daughter heir. This provokes Daemon to take a dragon egg and Dragonstone until Corlys extends an invitation to help him against the Crabfeeder. Once he brings victory, King Viserys welcomes him back.
This fan favorite oozes likability, charisma, and unpredictability while showing his significant skills as a warrior. His intellect, strategic calculations, and union with Rhaenyra make him a formidable enemy. Who knows what problems he'll end and begin in season two?