Who is Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and actress Eve Best?

Not dealt the best of hands by her feuding family, and known as the 'Queen Who Never Was', Princess Rhaenys returns for season 2 - but is "emotionally shattered", according to Best.

Chatting exclusively to RadioTimes.com about where we find her character at the start of season 2, Best said: "She is shattered like everyone, really deeply sad about Luke and all of it.

"And digging very, very deep, because like all great people, women, mothers, carers, while everybody else is melting down, she's kind of holding them all emotionally and holding herself together emotionally.

"She's got on the back of that dragon and gone out and she's been basically doing all the work, I feel like. She's obviously exhausted."

But as there's set to be all-out war between the Targaryens and the Hightowers, known as the Greens versus the Blacks, it's a better time than ever to get reacquainted with Princess Rhaenys and where she slots into things.

Read on to find out about Rhaenys Targaryen, including how she lost the Iron Throne and her plan to get it back.

Who is Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon?

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is the daughter of Aemon Targaryen and Lady Jocelyn Baratheon, and is also a dragonrider, choosing her beastly companion of Meleys.

Her father was the Prince of Dragonstone (the heir apparent), meaning she could be considered in the line of succession to the Iron Throne after her dad.

Rhaenys gained the Old King's blessing to marry Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), and the pair were wed when she was 16.

When her father died, many thought she would be named as the Princess of Dragonstone, but Jaehaerys chose Aemon's brother, Baelon (King Viserys's father). Many were furious to see she'd been overlooked for a man, and her husband Corlys stepped down from his place on the small council in protest.

Following Baelon's death, Jaehaerys had to pick yet another successor but left it with the Lords of Westeros to vote. Once again, they went with a man, choosing Baelon's son, Viserys (Paddy Considine), as the next heir.

Thereafter, Princess Rhaenys has been dubbed the 'Queen Who Never Was'.

In season 1 of House of the Dragon, we see that Princess Rhaenys is delivered another blow when it comes to her cousin Viserys. After the death of his wife Queen Aemma Arryn, Viserys is encouraged to take another wife, and that's when Rhaenys and Corlys suggest their daughter Laena as a potential bride.

Although Laena is just 12 years old, Rhaenys and Corlys believe their marriage would repair the gap between House Velaryon and House Targaryen – but it doesn't go to plan. Instead, Viserys chooses Alicent Hightower as a wife, leading Rhaenys and her family to not attend the wedding ceremony.

In better news, Rhaenys does manage to secure a marriage between Viserys's daughter Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock/Emma D'Arcy) and her own son, Ser Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan/Theo Nate).

But whether her bloodline will ever make it to the Iron Throne or not, we'll just have to wait and see.

Who is Eve Best?

Eve Best is perhaps most known for her role as Wallis Simpson in The King's Speech, which also starred Colin Firth.

She also played Farah Dowling in Netflix's Fate: The Winx Saga, Anna Clayton in Lucky Man and Dr Eleanor O'Hara in Nurse Jackie.

Best has most recently starred in the final season of Netflix's The Crown as Carole Middleton, Kate Middleton's mother. She also starred in ITV's Maryland alongside Suranne Jones.

Best has further starred in Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Waking the Dead, Shackleton and Casualty.

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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