The second season of House of the Dragon roars to life on HBO and Max this Sunday, with even more royal Targaryen plots to untangle. With such a large cast of characters and a significant amount of time having passed since season one — which landed back in the fall of 2022 — it’s understandable if you’re heading into the premiere of season two with a bit of trepidation. Just who are all those kids again? Which “side” in the unfolding war for succession is green and which is black? If you want a refresher on the full main cast, check out our introduction to season one, with a full rundown on the main players in our drama.
As laid out by George R.R. Martin in the Song of Ice and Fire book series upon which this franchise is based, the first season essentially served as a slow slide into inevitable conflict between two camps: the “Blacks” and the “Greens,” each supporting a different Targaryen heir and their claim to the throne.
When we left off in season one, we’d reached a grim turning point: From here on in, it’s war. Season two finds battle lines being drawn and an assortment of ensemble characters all professing their loyalty to one side or the other. Here’s a rundown of what to know going into Sunday night’s opener.
The Blacks vs. the Greens In one corner: The Blacks, led by Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), whose father, Viserys, the late king of Westeros, named her as his successor despite tradition reserving the top spot for male Targaryen heirs only.
