The 10 saddest deaths in 'House of the Dragon,' ranked

Palmer Haasch,Eammon Jacobs,Ayomikun AdekaiyeroJul 8, 2024, 10:12 IST

King Viserys' death in season one of "House of the Dragon" is one of the most crucial, as it sets off a battle for succession between his children Rhaenyra and Aegon. HBO

"House of the Dragon" is no stranger to death, murder, or even fratricide.
Some of the show's most tragic deaths are tied to children and childbirth.

Warning: Major spoilers through season two, episode four of "House of the Dragon."

If you're watching a show in the "Game of Thrones" universe, you should know you're signing up for some pretty devastating character deaths.

"House of the Dragon" is no different from its predecessor: it's full of striking, surprising, and extremely sad deaths, frequently carried out by members of the same family. Children are murdered on dragonback and in their cribs, husbands kill their wives to secure more advantageous marriages, and women tragically die in childbirth. Rhaenyra and Aegon II Targaryen's war over the Iron Throne isn't pretty.

We've ranked the 10 saddest deaths in "House of the Dragon" seasons one and two below,

10. Viserys died after a long bout of illness.

Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in "House of the Dragon."HBO

9. Daemon murders his first wife, Lady Rhea Royce.

Rachel Redford as Lady Rhea in season one of "House of the Dragon."Ollie Upton/HBO

8. Lyonel and Harwin Strong die at Harrenhal, in a plot orchestrated by Larys Strong.

Harwin and Lyonel Strong both died at the command of Larys Strong in "House of the Dragon."Ollie Upton/HBO

7. Jahaerys Targaryen is murdered after a miscommunication.

Alicent and Helaena attend the procession behind Jaehaerys' body.Theo Whitman/HBO

6. Arryk and Erryk Cargyll killed each other after ending up on different sides of the war.

Erryk (Ellliot Tittensor) and Arryk (Luke Tittensor) Cargylle in "House of the Dragon."HBO

5. Joffrey Lonmouth was brutally beaten to death by Criston Cole.

Joffrey and Criston in "House of the Dragon."HBO

4. Laena Velaryon ordered Vhagar to kill her by fire.

Laena Velaryon, now married to Daemon Targaryen, in "House of the Dragon."HBO

3. Rhaenys sacrifices herself and her dragon, Meleys, at Rook's Rest.

Eve Best and Steve Toussaint as Rhaenys and Corlys Velaryon in season two, episode four of "House of the Dragon."Ollie Upton/HBO

2. Queen Aemma dies during childbirth after Viserys orders his son to be cut out of her.

Paddy Considine and Sian Brooke costar as King Viserys and Queen Aemma in HBO's "House of the Dragon."Ollie Upton/HBO

1. Lucerys is the first major casualty of the Dance of the Dragons.

Elliot Grihault and Emma D'Arcy as Lucerys and Rhaenyra in "House of the Dragon."Ollie Upton/HBO

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