How the 'House of the Dragon' characters have changed throughout the first season, which spans over 20 years

Olivia Cooke and Emma D'Arcy as adult Alicent and adult Rhaenyra in "House of the Dragon."HBO

• Warning: Spoilers ahead for season one of "House of the Dragon."
• There have been multiple time-jumps throughout the first season of "House of the Dragon."

King Viserys Targaryen began season one looking strong and regal.

Paddy Considine as Viserys in episode one of "House of the Dragon."      Ollie Upton / HBO

But by episode eight, the ruler had lost an eye, an arm, and his sanity, leaving him absolutely decrepit-looking.

Paddy Considine as Viserys in "House of the Dragon" episode eight.      Ollie Upton / HBO

Princess Rhaenyra was portrayed in the first part of the season by Milly Alcock. Like other Targaryens, she has long, flowing white hair.

22-year-old Australian actress Milly Alcock plays Rhaenyra when she's younger.      Ollie Upton / HBO

Emma D'Arcy took over the role of Rhaenyra for the final half of the season. But the princess looks much the same as an adult as she did during her childhood.

Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra in episode eight of "House of the Dragon."      Ollie Upton / HBO

Emily Carey portrays young, fresh-faced Alicent Hightower in the first four episodes.

Emily Carey as Alicent Hightower, the second wife of Viserys.      Ollie Upton / HBO

And as an adult, Alicent is portrayed by Olivia Cooke. In both her childhood and adulthood, Alicent has dark red hair and a self-righteous attitude.

Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower.      HBO

When we first meet Aegon II Targaryen, the firstborn son of King Viserys and Alicent, he is just a child.

Aegon is just a toddler when we first meet him in episode three.      Ollie Upton / HBO

As he grows older throughout the show, Aegon begins to sport the signature Targaryen mane of white-blonde hair.

Ty Tennant, who plays Aegon during his early adolescence, is the son of "Doctor Who" star David Tennant.      Gary Moyes / HBO

By later episodes, Aegon has completely matured.

Tom Glynn-Carter as an even older Aegon.      Ollie Upton / HBO

Like his siblings, Aemond's hair is long and white, even as a child.

Young Aemond, Alicent's second son with Viserys, is played by Leo Ashton.      HBO

During his later years, Aemond wears a patch after losing his eye during a fight amongst all the children in episode seven. He's consequently known as Aemond "One Eye" Targaryen.

Ewan Mitchell as Aemond in episode nine.      HBO

Lucerys and Jacaerys, Rhaenyra's children supposedly fathered by Laenor, don't look like their Targaryen or Velaryon relatives. Instead, their hair is dark brown.

Lucerys and Jacaerys played by Harvey Sadler and Leo Hart in episode six of "House of the Dragon."      HBO

As they grow older, both Lucerys and Jacaerys continue to stick out in a sea of blonde and white-haired family members.

Older Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) and Jacaerys (Harry Collett) in episode eight.      HBO

Laena Velaryon is seen at several stages of her life throughout the series.

Nova Foueillis-Mosé plays Laena in the first two episodes, and Savannah Steyn portrays the character when she's an older teen in episode four.      HBO

But throughout her life, Laena maintains her long, silvery-white hair and killer sense of style.

Nanna Blondell plays Laena as an adult, when she is married to Daemon Targaryen, Viserys' brother.      Ollie Upton / HBO

Like his Velaryon and Targaryen relatives, Laenor also has white-blonde hair.

Theo Nate as young Laenor, the twin brother of Laena.      Ollie Upton / HBO

He continues to wear his hair at shoulder length throughout his years at court.

John Macmillan as older Laenor, who is married to princess Rhaenyra.      Ollie Upton / HBO

Lyonel Strong has a full head of red hair during the earlier episodes of "House of the Dragon."

Gavin Spokes as Lyonel Strong, who becomes Hand to the King during the first season.      Ollie Upton / HBO

But as he grows older, he slowly begins to lose his hair, and also put on weight.

Gavin Spokes was aged through make-up and prosthetics to portray older Lyonel Strong.      Ollie Upton / HBO