Who is Lord Corlys Velaryon and who is actor Steve Toussaint?

Last season saw Corlys, played by Steve Toussaint, suffer quite the rollercoaster of emotions after his life-threatening injury but ultimately, his allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) has been pledged, making for some expectantly bloody battles in the upcoming season.

But aside from his impending warfare, Corlys could also be suffering with a little closer to home when it comes to his wife, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best).

Chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Toussaint teased: "For the first time, for him, this incredible relationship that he has [with Rhaenys], this thing that is sacred to him, is possibly under threat."

While he did suffer quite the injury in season 1, the finale saw Corlys alive and well but who exactly is the character? And what's his claim to the Iron Throne? Read on for all you need to know about The Sea Snake.

Who is Lord Corlys Velaryon?

Corlys Velaryon started traversing the seas when he was just a boy and was considered to be an excellent, and natural, sailor.

He first captained a ship when he was just 16 and was revered at the age of 23. Now, he is head of the royal fleet and Master of Ships.

Corlys's nickname the 'Sea Snake' came from the ship he designed and built which sailed on nine voyages to Essos. It was during these famed trips that he increased his wealth when he brought new goods back to Westeros.

After gaining his wealth, he married Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best), the granddaughter of the Old King Jaehaerys Targaryen.

According to Toussaint, the pair are actually very much in love, unlike other marriages in the franchise which are often done out of convenience.

He previously told The Hollywood Reporter: "The other thing Eve [Best, who plays Rhaenys] and I were discussing the other day is that [Rhaenys and Corlys] are the only couple together purely for love. He also listens to her. He doesn’t always pay attention, but he seeks her advice."

When Rhaenys's father died and Jaehaerys lost the next heir to the Iron Throne, the Great Council called by the Old King saw Princess Rhaenys passed over for the throne in favour of Viserys. She came to be known as the 'Queen Who Never Was' but despite this, Lord Corlys faithfully serves King Viserys I as his Master of Ships.

Despite being usurped once before, Rhaenys and Corlys suggests uniting House Velaryon and House Targaryen by putting forward their own 12-year-old daughter Laena as a potential bride for Viserys.

However, House Velaryon once again is scorned by House Targaryen and Viserys chooses instead to wed Alicent Hightower.

Corlys soon takes matters into his own hands, uniting with Viserys's hot-headed (and equally scorned) brother Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), who together vowed to take control of the Stepstones.

How did Lord Corlys Velaryon get injured in House of the Dragon season 1?

Season 1 ended on quite the down point for Lord Corlys as he suffered a major blow (literally) at the battle of the Stepstones.

The lengthy battle saw Lord Corlys slashed in the neck with a dagger, falling overboard at sea and then suffering with blood fever, which killed many of his own men. Talk about drawing the short straw, right?

While many thought it spelled the end for Corlys, in the season 1 finale, we saw that actually, he was alive and well. The Stepstones were successfully conquered by Corlys and Daemon, with Daemon declaring himself King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea.

Corlys himself placed the crown on Daemon's head and so, going into season 2, it's very clear that Corlys is on the side of the Targaryens.

Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com about where we meet him in season 2, Toussaint said: "Well, it's about 10 days since the end of season 1, the beginning of season 2. And so for Corlys, for both of them but certainly for Corlys, they are still grieving the loss of Luke.

"Corlys is still recovering from the injury he got in episode 8. He’s still recovering from this, I still walk with a stick. And his ship is in disrepair. So wanting to hurry to get that fixed so he can get back out there and lead his men in this oncoming war, and also having to deal with certain dark clouds on the horizon due to past misdeeds."

Who is Steve Toussaint?

It might be easier to list things Steve Toussaint hasn't appeared in. The renowned actor is perhaps best known for his roles as Seso in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Captain John McGuire in Mutant Chronicles, and Hunter Squad Leader in Judge Dredd.

In terms of TV, Toussaint appeared in Before We Die alongside Lesley Sharp, It's a Sin, Small Axe, In the Long Run and Line of Duty.

He also starred as Feekat in Doctor Who's Ascension of the Cybermen and played Roger Mendez in Our Girl. More recently, he has appeared in Rain Dogs as The Duke and also in Prime Video film Gassed Up.

House of the Dragon season 2 will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK from Monday 17th June 2024 – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV.

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