How Did Every 'House of the Dragon' Book Character Die Before TV Series?
HBO's House of the Dragon has introduced tons of onscreen deaths - but how did each character die in George R. R. Martin‘s book?
House of the Dragon is following the steps of its predecessor as Game of Thrones also suffered several leaks during its time on HBO. Game of Thrones, which aired from 2011 to 2019, was an adaptation of a series of fantasy novels by Martin titled A Song of Ice and Fire.
After eight seasons, the show ended with Bran Stark becoming king and banning Jon Snow (Kit Harington) to the Night's Watch after he killed Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). Sansa (Sophie Turner) was crowned Queen of the North, Arya (Maisie Williams) decided to travel west and King's Landing went up in flames, which left many viewers less than thrilled.
House of the Dragon, meanwhile, is a prequel which took inspiration from Martin's 2018 novel Fire & Blood. The ongoing series is set hundreds of years before the events of GoT and focuses on the ancestors of Daenerys Targaryen.
Emma D'Arcy plays Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, while Matt Smith brings the role of her uncle Prince Daemon Targaryen to life. The show also stars Eve Best, Paddy Considine, Olivia Cooke, Fabien Frankel, Rhys Ifans, Sonoya Mizuno and Steve Toussaint.
Keep scrolling for a cause of death for each character:
Daemon Targaryen
Cause of Death: During the Dance of Dragons
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Cause of Death: Fed to a dragon
Alicent Hightower
Cause of Death: Winter Fever
King Aegon II Targaryen
Cause of Death: Poison
Aemond Targaryen
Cause of Death: A fall
Helaena Targaryen
Cause of Death: Impaled
Rhaenys Targaryen
Cause of Death: A fall
Corlys Velaryon
Cause of Death: Old age
Otto Hightower
Cause of Death: Execution
Ser Criston Cole
Cause of Death: Murdered
King Viserys I Targaryen
Cause of Death: In his sleep
Larys Strong
Cause of Death: Beheaded
Mysaria
Cause of Death: Whipped
Baela Targaryen
Cause of Death: Old age
Jacaerys Velaryon
Cause of Death: Murdered
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This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 6:46 AM.