'House of the Dragon': A look at Rhaenyra Targaryen's sons and their secret parentage ahead of Season 2

Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen is rumored to have an affair with Ser Harwin Strong
Ser Harwin Strong is rumored to be the biological father of Rhaenyra's three sons (@hbo)
Ser Harwin Strong is rumored to be the biological father of Rhaenyra's three sons (@hbo)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO on June 16, 2024. The show centers on the events in the Targaryen House as a battle for succession ensues for the coveted Iron Throne. 

One of the central characters of the show is Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) who was named heir to the throne by King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) but denied her claim when Queen Alicent Hightower's (Olivia Cooke) son King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) sits on the throne once Viserys dies. 

Rhaenyra's life has been a topsy-turvy ride, particularly regarding her love life. She gets married to Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) in a marriage arrangement where Laenor, who is homosexual agrees to marry to unite their families but keep their marriage open and continue to love outside their marriage. 

Rhaenyra has three sons from her marriage with Laenor Velaryon: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. However, doubts about the son's parentage continue. 

Who is the biological father of Rhaenyra's sons?

A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) is the biological father of Rhaenyra's sons. Harwin came to King's Landing along with his father and had an affair with Rhaenyra Targaryen. 

Ser Harwin Strong is the heir to Harrenhal and a close ally of Queen Rhaenyra. Once the truth about his involvement with Rhaenyra came out, he was ordered to return to Harrenhal by King Viserys. 

Harwin along with his father died in a fire at the cursed castle of Harrenhal. The fire is later revealed to have been an orchestrated attack by Harwin's younger brother Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham). 

How many children does Rhaenyra have?

Aegon's prophecy was the reason behind Viserys choosing Rhaenyra as his successor (@hbo)
Aegon's prophecy was the reason behind Viserys choosing Rhaenyra as his successor (@hbo)

Rhaenyra has three sons from her first marriage with Laenor Velaryon and two from her marriage with her uncle Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). Aegon III and Viserys II are her sons with Daemon Targaryen. 

Rhaenyra doesn't have a daughter as her daughter Visenya dies during childbirth. She does have stepdaughters though from Daemon's earlier marriage. The daughters are called Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) and Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell)

Her son Lucerys Targaryen aka Luke (Elliot Grihault) died in the final episode of 'House of the Dragon' Season 1. He was the biological son of Rhaenyra and Harwin Strong. 

 Luke was killed by the dragon Vhagar with Queen Alicent Hightower's (Olivia Cooke) son Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) mounted on the dragon. This sets up an all-out war between Rhaenyra and Alicent in Season 2. 

How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?

Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen are involved in a conflict for the Iron Throne in 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen are involved in a conflict for the Iron Throne in 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will be available on HBO Max from June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max subscription. The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.

The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99. 

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Trailer



 

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO on June 16, 2024

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Chicago Fire’ star Taylor Kinney shares the date for the franchise’s next crossover, which will bring all three NBC dramas together
2026-11-12T08:52:55.000Z
James Reynolds reveals his Parkinson’s diagnosis and explains why ‘Days of Our Lives’ is bringing it into Abe Carver’s storyline
2026-11-12T08:23:38.000Z
Charlie Vickers and his ‘The Rings of Power’ co-stars hint at Sauron’s next move and the Season 3 moments that left even the cast struggling for words
2026-11-12T07:50:09.000Z
Nearly three decades after their 1997 horror film, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are sharing the screen again, this time in the ‘9-1-1’ franchise
2026-11-12T06:55:17.000Z
The Hulu spinoff follows nine MomTok creators in California, with Jen Affleck as the lone original star
2026-11-12T05:10:11.000Z
FX’s comedy series ‘Adults’ follows five friends sharing a home in Queens as they navigate adulthood
2026-11-12T04:36:21.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ Season 15 Episode 6 introduces Violet’s estranged mother, whose unexpected return comes with devastating news
2026-11-12T04:24:26.000Z
A leadership change at DC Studios left the status of the Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre series in question
2026-11-12T04:05:49.000Z
'Chicago Med' Season 12 Episode 6, titled 'Lessons in Chemistry,' sees Freddy return to sign Margaret's estate papers alongside Charles
2026-11-12T03:18:28.000Z
Netflix’s ‘The Body’ explores teenage identity, friendship and repression, with its creators drawing inspiration from their own school years.
2026-11-12T03:00:28.000Z