WARNING! This article contains minor spoilers for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8!House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8, “The Lord of the Tides” features the recasting of several major characters. House of the Dragon episode 6 just included a significant time jump and recast of its two main characters Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, although Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke maintained their roles through the next big time skip. The same episode introduced the young versions of Rhaenyra’s sons Jacaerys and Lucerys; Alicent’s children Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond; and Daemon’s daughters Baela and Rhaena. House of the Dragon episode 8 now picks up around six years after “Driftmark,” which raises the child characters to teenagers and young adults.
As well as bringing forth a few new Targaryen kids and knights, House of the Dragon episode 8 sees actor changes for every major child introduced in episode 6. As teens and young adults, Rhaenyra, Alicent, and Daemon’s children are all plagued by larger responsibilities as they get married and have kids of their own, become betrothed, and fight for their inheritances. Picking up after six years, House of the Dragon episode 8 also introduces the trueborn sons of Rhaenyra and Daemon, the toddlers Aegon and Viserys Targaryen. While some young characters like Joffrey Velaryon have still hardly been shown on screen, House of the Dragon episode 8’s actor changes demonstrate how remarkably different the new generation of Targaryens has become.
Harry Collett As Jacaerys ‘Jace’ Velaryon
Rhaenyra Targaryen and Laenor Velaryon’s eldest child Jacaerys Velaryon is portrayed by Harry Collett, taking over from young actor Leo Hart. Nearly a man grown, Jacaerys is now second-in-line to the Iron Throne after his mother, although he still suffers from taunts about his true father being Ser Harwin Strong. Collet has also appeared in Casualty, Dolittle, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, and The Hive.
Elliot Grihault As Lucerys ‘Luke’ Velaryon
Rhaenyra and Laenor’s second-born son and the heir to Driftmark, teenage Lucerys is now played by Elliot Grihault. The legitimacy of Luke’s birth is questioned in House of the Dragon episode 8 when Vaemond Velaryon stakes his own claim to Driftmark. House of the Dragon is Grihault’s first acting credit.
Tom Glynn-Carney As Aegon Targaryen
Taking over from Ty Tennant, adult Aegon Targaryen is played by Tom Glynn-Carney. Aegon is the firstborn son of King Viserys Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower. He’s now married to his sister Helaena and is still secretly expected to sit on the Iron Throne despite his increasingly immoral actions. Glynn-Carney is best known for his roles in Dunkirk, Tolkien, The King, and The Last Post.
Ewan Mitchell As Aemond Targaryen
House of the Dragon’s Prince Aemond “One-Eye” Targaryen is played by Ewan Mitchell, who replaces Leo Ashton. Six years after losing an eye and claiming the dragon Vhagar, Aemond is now a fierce sword fighter who is serious and unforgiving, especially when it comes to his nephews. Mitchell is most notable for his work in The Last Kingdom, World on Fire, High Life, and The Halcyon.
Phia Saban As Helaena Targaryen
Portrayed as a teenager by Phia Saban, House of the Dragon episode 8’s Helaena Targaryen is as cryptic as ever. The prophetic Helaena is now married to her brother-husband Prince Aegon Targaryen, with whom she shares children. Saban’s only credited role outside of House of the Dragon is as Aelfwynn in The Last Kingdom.
Bethany Antonia As Baela Targaryen
The eldest daughter of Daemon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon is portrayed as a teenager by Bethany Antonia. Baela has spent several years as the ward of her grandmother Princess Rhaenys Targaryen following the deaths of Laena and Ser Laenor Velaryon. Antonia’s other roles include Margot in Get Even, Kayleigh Shaw in Stay Close, and Chelsea in Pin Cushion.
Phoebe Campbell As Rhaena Targaryen
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Rhaena is the younger daughter of Daemon and Laena who has been living with her step-siblings and half-siblings on Dragonstone. The teenage Rhaena is now betrothed to her cousin Lucerys Velaryon, the official heir to Driftmark. Campbell has also appeared in The Last Dragonslayer and Midsomer Murders.
Luke Tittensor As Ser Arryk Cargyll
House of the Dragon episode 8 officially introduces character Arryk Cargyll, a member of the Kingsguard who is loyal to Alicent Hightower and the greens. However, his twin brother is Rhaenyra’s sworn protector. Luke Tittensor, the real-life twin to Erryk actor Elliott Tittensor, is best known for playing Carl in Shameless (U.K.) season 1, Darren Eden in Emmerdale Farm, Liam in Holby City, and Hippolyte in Madame Bovary.
Elliott Tittensor As Ser Erryk Cargyll
Erryk is a member of the Kingsguard, twin brother to the greens’ Arryk Cargyll, and the sworn protector to the heir to the Iron Throne Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Elliott Tittensor played the prominent role of Carl Gallagher throughout Shameless (U.K.), as well as roles in Silent Witness, Spike Island, and Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk.
New episodes of House of the Dragon release Sundays on HBO/HBO Max.