Prince Daemon Targaryen

Prince Daemon Targaryen is King Viserys's younger brother, a dragonrider whose mount is Caraxes, and Rhaenyra's uncle and later husband. He is portrayed by Matt Smith and rides for the Blacks.

He is introduced being banished from the Red Keep for mocking the dead infant Baelon, and the pattern set there holds: he takes what he wants, resents being passed over, and fights best when everyone has written him off. At Dragonstone he makes the Stepstones his own war, and his solo assault turns the campaign against the Crabfeeder. His personal life runs on the same logic — a visit to his estranged wife Rhea Royce in the Vale ends in her death, and years later he is in Pentos with Laena Velaryon when she dies in childbirth.

When the succession crisis hardens he is the one pushing Rhaenyra toward war rather than away from it, and he executes Vaemond Velaryon for treason in open court. In Season 2 he holds Harrenhal and raises an army for the Blacks through the Riverlands, and by Season 3 his forces are at the gates of King's Landing when the Gold Cloaks turn their cloaks.

Prince Daemon Targaryen is the younger brother of King Viserys I - heir to nothing, and dangerous because of it. Rogue prince, City Watch commander, husband to three fortunes and rider of the blood-red dragon Caraxes, he is the most capable and the least controllable man in the realm: the court's blunt instrument and its sharpest threat in one body.

His arc is a long negotiation with power. Exiled and recalled, married and widowed, he finally weds his niece Rhaenyra when Viserys names her heir, binding his ambition to her cause. As the Greens usurp the throne, Daemon becomes the Blacks' sword - the prince who seizes Dragonstone without a drop spilled and starts planning a war he has spent his whole life wanting.

He is the show's study in charisma as a weapon: men follow him into fire, women into scandal, and the audience into sympathy he has rarely earned. His devotion to Rhaenyra is real and terrible, because Daemon's love, like his loyalty, has always come wrapped in his own reflection.

• Dragonrider (Caraxes)
• Elite warrior
• Volatile ambition
• Charismatic authority
• Ruthless pragmatism
• Deep Targaryen pride

deuteragonist

Daemon's ties are drawn in Targaryen blood. His rivalry with Otto Hightower - the Hand who wants him gone - spans decades. His marriage to Rhaenyra fuses desire, dynasty and rebellion: uncle and niece, kingmaker and queen. His first great alliance came through Laena Velaryon, and through her, the sea power of Corlys Velaryon; their daughters Baela and Rhaena are his living bonds to Driftmark. Against the Greens he is pure war: Aegon II's crown and Criston Cole's swords are the obstacles his dragon was made for.

Romantic

• Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen — Wife and political partner

Allies

• Lord Corlys The Sea Snake Velaryon — Ally by marriage - The Blacks
• Princess Rhaenys Targaryen — Ally by marriage
• Harwin Strong — City Watch era

Enemies

• Ser Otto Hightower — Rival for the King's ear
• King Aegon Ii Targaryen — Green claimant
• Ser Criston Cole — Green commander

Family

• Niece and second wifeQueen Rhaenyra Targaryen
• Second wife (deceased)Lady Laena Velaryon
• DaughterLady Baela Targaryen
• DaughterLady Rhaena Targaryen

Affiliations

• House Targaryen; The Blacks

• Matt Smith — Prince Daemon Targaryen (live action)

No character media available yet. Photos and videos will be added in a later update.

• Official references count: 1
• Public references count: 2

• Title: Prince - former Hand to the King - Commander of the Gold Cloaks
• Status: Active
• Billing: Top-billed main character
• Role: main cast
• Shows: House of the Dragon
• Seasons: 4
• Episodes: 26

• The Heirs of the Dragon — S1E1

  He is banished from the Red Keep for mocking the dead infant Baelon.

• Second of His Name — S1E3

  Consumed by the war in the Stepstones, his daring solo assault turns the tide against the Crabfeeder.

• We Light the Way — S1E5

  He visits his estranged wife Rhea Royce in the Vale.

• The Princess and the Queen — S1E6

  He and Laena Velaryon weigh an offer in Pentos as she dies in childbirth.

• The Lord of the Tides — S1E8

  He executes Vaemond Velaryon for treason in the throne room.