Rhaenyra Targaryen's journey in House of the Dragon reaches a pivotal moment in Season 3, but her ultimate fate, as chronicled in George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, is grim. After years of scheming and loss, she finally ascends the Iron Throne, only to face betrayal and a horrific death.
Season 3: Rhaenyra Takes the Throne
Season 3 of House of the Dragon has been hailed as a masterpiece by critics, covering events from Fire & Blood. In Episode 2, Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) returns to King's Landing to claim the Iron Throne, motivated by a vision from Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) that she is the chosen one to unite the realm against darkness. However, her ascent is brutal, involving a shocking death. Despite seizing power, she has not won the Dance of the Dragons.
What Happens in Fire & Blood?
In the source material, Rhaenyra becomes Queen of Westeros, but her reign is brief. The Iron Throne cuts her legs and hands, a bad omen suggesting rejection. The smallfolk turn on her due to rumors of cruelty, leading to disasters and betrayals. Vulnerable, she flees King's Landing with her last living son, Aegon the Younger, to Dragonstone.
At Dragonstone, her brother Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and his dragon Sunfyre have taken control. In a horrific scene, Aegon feeds Rhaenyra to Sunfyre while her son watches. This death is referenced in Game of Thrones when Joffrey Baratheon tells Margaery Tyrell: "Rhaenyra Targaryen was murdered by her brother, or rather, his dragon. It ate her while her son watched."
Emma D'Arcy on Rhaenyra's Journey
Emma D'Arcy, who plays adult Rhaenyra, told Elle about the character's arc: "I guess there's something about that final ascent describing the whole journey to this moment, i.e years of interpersonal complication, of fighting for her own legitimacy, of navigating untrustworthy actors. I suppose I wanted her to have to carry years of difficulty up the stairs."
Who Plays Rhaenyra Targaryen?
Rhaenyra is portrayed by Emma D'Arcy as an adult and Milly Alcock as a younger version in flashbacks. D'Arcy, 34, is an English actor known for Wanderlust and Truth Seekers. Alcock, 26, is an Australian actress who starred in Upright and currently plays Supergirl in Man of Tomorrow.
House of the Dragon Season 3 is streaming on Sky Atlantic, NOW, and HBO Max.
