House Of The Dragon Just Announced Which Characters Will Be Returning For Season 2

Updated with video.

All eyes were on House of the Dragon and it's cast of characters during its first season as we flew back into the world of Westeros. Now, Season 2 has officially started production, and with that news came the reveal of all the returning cast members from Season 1 of the Game of Thrones spinoff. While many of the returning HOTD cast members were expected, there is one face that’s quite surprising. While overall this list helps us clarify who the players will be in the battle for the Iron Throne. 

Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen in the throne room in House of the Dragon

(Image credit: HBO)

Who Is Returning To House Of The Dragon? 

Overall, there is still a lot to be learned about Season 2 of House of the Dragon, however, the confirmed returning cast clarifies who will be involved in the next installment of the hit fantasy series. According to HBO the full list of returning cast members includes:

  • Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen 
  • Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower 
  • Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen 
  • Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen 
  • Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon 
  • Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole 
  • Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen 
  • Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen 
  • Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria 
  • Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower 
  • Harry Collett as Prince Jacaerys 'Jace' Velaryon 
  • Bethany Antonia as Lady Baela Targaryen 
  • Phoebe Campbell as Lady Rhaena Targaryen 
  • Phia Saban as Princess Helaena Targaryen 
  • Jefferson Hall as Tyland Lannister 
  • Matthew Needham as Larys Strong 

All of these returning cast members were largely expected. From the jump, it was obvious that Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith and Rhys Ifans would be returning as the feuding Blacks and Greens. I also suspected that their supporting cast, which includes and Velaryon family as well as the women’s multiple children would all return too. 

Outside the Targaryen family, there are also some notable cast members reprising their roles with Fabien Frankel coming back as Alicent’s right-hand man Criston Cole and the Queen’s creepy advisor Larys Strong, who is played by Matthew Needham, returning. I’d also assume that both these actors will play bigger roles in Season 2, based on how their stories evolved over the final episodes. However, the biggest surprise on this list is the news that Sonoya Mizuno will reprise her role as the mysterious Mysaria, considering her fate was unknown at the end of the season. 

Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria in House of the Dragon standing on a terrace.

(Image credit: HBO)

Why Is It So Important They Confirmed Sonoya Mizuno’s Return As Mysaria?

Throughout Season 1 of the HBO series, Mysaria evolved into a  major power player, and then there was a fire that alluded to her death. One of our biggest questions coming out of HOTD's finale was about the White Worm, and if she was gone. This cast announcement proves she’s still around, and survived that fire. 

Over the course of Season 1, we slowly learned about Mysaria’s power, and how she fits into this game for the throne. She has a big network of spies and was privy to information that could completely change the power dynamics in King’s Landing. 

By Episode 4 of House of the Dragon, we knew that this character could not be trusted as she went on to make deals with Daemon, Otto and more throughout the season. This changing of alliances proved that the White Worm was not on anyone’s side, she was there to help out the highest bidder. 

So, as the politicking continues, and the Targaryen family deals with the fallout of Rhaenyra’s son Luke dying at the hands of Aemond Targaryen and his dragon, we now know that Maysaria will also still be in the picture. 

Plot details are still unknown about Season 2 of House of the Dragon, however, we do know some logistics, like the season will be shorter than the first and it will likely come out in 2024. Now, we can also add a lengthy list of actors into the mix as they make their way back to Westeros for another installment. While we wait for more information about HOTD, be sure to check out Season 1 with an HBO Max subscription to refresh your memory about how Mysaria fits into the show's big picture and cast. 

Riley Utley
Weekend Editor

Riley Utley is the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. She has written for national publications as well as daily and alt-weekly newspapers in Spokane, Washington, Syracuse, New York and Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated with her master’s degree in arts journalism and communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Since joining the CB team she has covered numerous TV shows and movies -- including her personal favorite shows Ted Lasso and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She also has followed and consistently written about everything from Taylor Swift to Fire Country, and she's enjoyed every second of it.