House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal, asked who he would put on the Iron Throne for a sane and stable rule, took 17 seconds to answer. His pick is Alicent Hightower — not a Targaryen, and the one major candidate who does not ride a dragon.
The question was put to Condal by Empire on the Pilot TV podcast, in the immediate aftermath of the season three finale. It is the question that has hung over the franchise since Game of Thrones: in this family, should anyone rule?
Condal’s case rests on the ground Alicent has covered. Queen consort, queen dowager, then the power behind the Greens during the Dance of the Dragons — she has held power, lost it and held it again, without a dragon to settle the argument for her.
“There’s not a character in the show that has seen more of a differential between power, to lack of power. She’s seen it all. She doesn’t ride a dragon, which I think is probably important for a sane and stable leader.”
Ryan Condal, co-creator and showrunner of House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon: the case for Alicent Hightower
He also sees a capacity to let grudges go. “Even though Alicent could be vindictive about things — and we’ll see where it goes from here based on what happens in the season 3 finale — we have seen her let go of vindictiveness, in a way that other people seem to double down on it as things get darker.”
The Sea Snake, second place
Condal’s back-up pick is Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, whose claim is experience rather than birth. “I think Sea Snake would be a great king too, in terms of experience,” he said. “I was just trying to pick somebody that wasn’t blonde.”
Season three of House of the Dragon is streaming now on OSN+ in the UAE, with the earlier seasons available. IGN carried the same interview highlights.
Who is Alicent Hightower?
Played by Olivia Cooke, Alicent is the queen consort of Viserys I and mother of Aegon II, who leads the Greens in the Dance of the Dragons. She was once Rhaenyra Targaryen’s closest friend; the war over the succession turned them into rivals.
Who is Lord Corlys Velaryon?
The Sea Snake, played by Steve Toussaint, commands the largest fleet in Westeros and served as Master of Ships. His wife, Rhaenys Targaryen, was known as the Queen Who Never Was — the heir passed over when the throne went to Viserys.
Where can I watch House of the Dragon in the UAE?
The full series streams on OSN+, which carries HBO’s shows in the region. Season three is available in full.
