8 November ( Eastern Catholic Churches).8 November (Old Calendar Eastern Orthodox Churches).(Similarly, Emma D’Arcy will eventually replace Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra Targaryen.Saint Michael in The Fall of the Rebel Angels by Luca GiordanoĪrchangel, Prince (Commanders) of Heavenly HostĪll Christian denominations which venerate saints While she is currently played by Emily Carey, a mid-season time jump will see Olivia Cooke take over as Alicent. Without spoiling anything, the series’ premiere does a good job of planting the seeds for Alicent’s overall role in the show. Of course, Alicent’s position within King’s Landing’s royal circle will only continue to grow and evolve over the course of House of the Dragon’s first season. In other words, while Otto holds great power as the Hand of the King, his royal position within Westeros is not as straightforward as one might assume. Instead, that title is held by Otto’s brother, Hobert Hightower (Steffan Rhodri), who briefly shows up to swear his loyalty to Rhaenyra Targaryen at the end of the House of the Dragon premiere. Knowing that, it suddenly makes a lot more sense that Alicent’s father, Otto, so abruptly suggests that she spend time with Viserys in the House of the Dragon premiere.Īdditionally, despite what his title may suggest, Otto Hightower is not actually the Lord of his house in House of the Dragon. She spent so much time with Viserys’ predecessor that Jaehaerys began to mistake her for his own daughter, and it’s said that he passed away while Alicent was reading to him. While there, she became a constant companion to the older Jaehaerys. When Otto first became Hand of the King, Alicent accompanied her father to King’s Landing. Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen and Emily Carey as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon Episode 1. Her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), served as the Hand of the King to Jaehaerys I Targaryen (Michael Carter) before assuming the same role for Jaehaerys’ successor, Viserys I (Paddy Considine). In fact, by the time House of the Dragon begins, Alicent has already spent quite a lot of time around Targaryen royals. Notably, while the Hightower knight’s identity isn’t specified, it is likely that he is Gwayne Hightower, one of Alicent’s brothers.Īll of which is to say: Alicent Hightower isn’t just the best friend of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock).

The family’s symbol is a tower with fire coming out of the top of it, which is why Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) chooses the knight with that sigil to be his first combatant during the jousting tournament in House of the Dragon’s premiere.

House Hightower’s Oldtown roots and lengthy history make it one of the most powerful and well-known royal families in Westeros. Oldtown is also the home of the Citadel, where Samwell Tarly (John Bradley) briefly conducts some integral research in Seasons 6 and 7 of Game of Thrones.

The port city is well-known for its large, white castle, called the Hightower, which serves as the seat of House Hightower. Unlike the Tyrells, who rule from a castle known as Highgarden, the Hightowers hail from Oldtown. House Hightower is one of the oldest royal families in the region of Westeros known as the Reach, which is primarily ruled by House Tyrell. Emily Carey as Alicent Hightower and Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon Episode 1.

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