'House of the Dragon' Season 2: Laenor Velaryon's much-anticipated return in prequel series explored

The character of Laenor Velaryon is played by Matt Carver, Theo Nate, and John Macmillan at different stages of his life
UPDATED MAY 28, 2024
Laenor Velaryon is presumed to be dead in 'House of the Dragon' Season 1 but he escapes alive with the help of Daemon Targaryen (@hbo)
Laenor Velaryon is presumed to be dead in 'House of the Dragon' Season 1 but he escapes alive with the help of Daemon Targaryen (@hbo)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is set to premiere on HBO on June 16, 2024, and as fans eagerly anticipate the new season, the return of Ser Laenor Valeryon (John Macmillan) has become a hot topic of discussion among viewers.

Laenor Velaryon belongs to the House Velaryon of Driftmark and is the son of Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best). His mother Rhaenys is the sister of King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine).

Laenor Velaryon is played by three actors, Matt Carver, Theo Nate, and John Macmillan throughout 'House of Dragon' Season 1 as he is shown growing from a child to an adult. John Macmillan takes on the role of Laenor Velaryon as an adult.

In the first season of 'House of the Dragon,' Laenor Velaryon is depicted as homosexual and in love with Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod). However, he is married to Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) as part of an arrangement to unite two houses.

Joffrey however is killed by Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and he later finds love in a knight called Qarl Correy (Arty Froushan). Despite this, he has three children with Rhaenyra Targaryen, although they are not biologically his own.

What happened to Laenor Velaryon in 'House of the Dragon' Season 1?

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

Laenor is a character who desires his freedom and wants to be away from the ongoing civil war in House Targaryen.

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra, aiming to strengthen her claim to the throne, devises a plan to marry her uncle Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), who happens to be King Viserys's brother.

For their arrangement to work, Rhaenyra would need to eliminate her husband. However, that goes against her character, so they seek an alternative solution to their dilemma.

Rhaneyra and Daemon along with Laenor and Qarl, devise a plan in which Qarl and Laenor stage a confrontation, resulting in Laenor being presumed dead after a servant is severely injured, rendering him unrecognizable.

Daemon helps Laenor and Qarl escape to the city of Essos, facilitating their quest for freedom, while he himself proceeds with his marriage to Rhaenyra.

Will Laenor Velaryon return in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?

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

Laenor Velaryon's return in the second season appears imminent, as his involvement in filming for the show was reportedly spoiled, with a few images from the sets of 'House of the Dragon' surfacing, as reported by The Direct.

Laenor Velaryon's return to the series could be pivotal, especially given his skills as a fighter and his role as a dragon rider with Seasmoke.

As the Targaryen house goes to war with Rhaenyra's team fighting to claim the iron throne, we can see Laenor making a return to the series. 

In the book "Fire & Blood," which served as the inspiration for 'House of the Dragon,' Laenor is killed by Qarl with no suggestion of him surviving or faking his death. Thus, the creators have exercised creative freedom in adapting the source material.

Therefore, there are no clues in the book about his return to the series in the second season. 

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Trailer



 

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

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