Doctor Who and The Crown star Matt Smith takes on the role of Prince Daemon Targaryen, arguably one of the more complex characters we can expect to see in House of the Dragon.

According to HBO: “The younger brother to King Viserys, and peerless warrior and dragonrider, Daemon possesses the true blood of the dragon. But it is said that whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods toss a coin in the air…”

He’s the brother of King Viserys (Paddy Considine), second son of Prince Baelon Targaryen, and grandson of the Old King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.

A talented warrior, Daemon was knighted by his grandfather when he was just 16, when he was given one of two ancestral swords of House Targaryen, Dark Sister.

Daemon was initially supportive of Viserys and his accession to the Throne, but he soon sours to the idea when his own ambitions are ruined.

Serving initially as Master of Coin and Master of Laws, Daemon found more happiness as Commander of the City Watch of King’s Landing – but being in charge of an army was a potentially dangerous situation for a man who could flip at any moment.

Daemon always considered himself the heir to the Iron Throne following Viserys’s reign as his little brother – especially given the fact that the King failed to father a son with his wife Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke).

But Hand of the King Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) was sure to make his position known, telling Viserys that his daughter, Princess Rhaenrya Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), should be the next leader of the Seven Kingdoms instead.

With a few seemingly against Daemon, who will Viserys choose to be the next in command? And how will Daemon take the decision?

Why did George R R Martin choose Prince Daemon as his favourite Targaryen?

George R R Martin chose Prince Daemon Targaryen as his favourite in the dynasty in an interview hosted on the YouTube account Aegon Targaryen.

“I’m notorious for my love of grey characters and one of the greyest characters in the entire history of Westeros is Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince,” he said.

Martin called him a “notorious bad boy” and a “rogue in every sense of the word” who is a “very colourful” character.

Will Daemon prove as popular with fans of the show?

What is Dark Sister?

HBO

In House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen wields the Valyrian steel sword, Dark Sister. It is one of two ancestral swords tied to House Targaryen.

Slender in design, Dark Sister is thought to have been made for a female warrior initially, and has had a fair few owners before it reached Daemon.

Queen Visenya Targaryen is the first known Targaryen owner of Dark Sister, having used the sword in training alongside her brother King Aegon I Targaryen. She would go on to establish the Kingsguard.

She gave the sword to her 13-year-old son, Maegor Targaryen, but he chose to fight with the other Valyian sword, Blackfyre. The sword was stolen by Queen Alyssa Velaryon and gifted to Jaehaerys, the Old King, when he pronounced his claim to the Throne.

Daemon’s father, Baelon the Brave, wielded the sword while avenging his brother’s death before it was gifted to Daemon by King Jaehaerys.

Though Daemon is a talented warrior, will he use Dark Sister to do good?

House of the Dragon premieres on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 22nd August 2022. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what’s on tonight.

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