5 House of the Dragon characters from season 1 that won't be in season 2

HBO's Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, returns June 16 on HBO and Max for its much-awaited season 2. Inside the 8 episode bracket, the war will continue between the Targaryens, and there'll be more bloodshed, along with characters grieving from its affects. It's not going to be a pretty family affair, but when you're fighting for the crown, you'll do whatever it takes.

The two siblings, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'arcy) and King Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), are naturally at the war's front (on opposing sides), but they have many in the Seven Kingdoms aiding their causes.

Season 1 introduced us to the characters who helped shape the war and House of the Dragon's narrative. While many will be returning to season 2, some, unfortunately, will not. Death is a major plot point in the drama, but it doesn't make it any easier to lose the characters we got to know and favorite. Here are five characters who'll not be returning for the second season.

House of the Dragon characters that won't be in season 2

Harwin 'Breakbones' Strong

Actor: Ryan Corr

Harwin was the eldest son and most noble of the Strong family hierarchy, the lover of a young Queen Rhaenyra, and a father to her three boys: Jacarys, Lucerys, and Joffrey. However, Rhaenyra was already married when she was with Harwin, but it was a loveless marriage. She and her husband, Laenor Valaryon, could see other people.

Things quickly become disasterous when the children are revealed to be Harwin's. To protect his family, he, along with his father, Lord Lyonel, were burnt to death in season 1, episode 6. Harwin was only in four episodes, but his presence, character arc, and charisma made him a fan favorite to the audience.

King Viserys Targaryen I

Actor: Paddy Considine

King Viserys I is the father of Rhaenyra and Aegon and ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. He was considered amicable and a fair leader and loathed any conflict in his family. Sure, he had issues with his brother Daemon (Matt Smith), but it was nothing that the King couldn't handle.

Although Viserys longed for a son to inherit the Iron Throne, he made Rhaenyra the Sole Heir despite objections from the Council. The rule was that the successor would be a male so the centuries-old monarchy tradition could be honored, but maybe the King wanted a change and believed in his daughter.

Viserys was married twice: first to Aemma Arryn, Rhaenyra's mother and then to Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Rhaenyra's best friend and the mother of Aegon, Aemond, Daeron, and Helaena.

In the ninth episode, and second-to-last in season 1, King Viserys dies of leprsy, and because of this, what was a peaceful land starts to become a vast warzone.

Queen Aemma Arryn

Actor: Siân Brooke

Aemma Arryn is the first wife of King Viserys and the mother of Rhaenyra. She had failed pregnancy after failed pregnancy and stillbirths after her daughter in an attempt to produce a male heir. Her last effort, which ultimately cost Aemma her life, seemed to go well until she went into labor. The baby was breach and Viserys had a decision to make, he chose to save their child but didn't tell Aemma what was about to happen. The C-section performed on her was one of the most unsettling an disturbing moments in the series. She died in the process and their son eventually did as well. Aemma's death left Viserys shattered, and although he remarried, it didn't aide in relieving his grief.

Laena Velaryon

Actor: Nanna Blondell

Laena was the daughter of Corlys Velaryon and his wife Rhaenys Targaryen, the younger sister of Laenor, and the second wife of Daemon. Despite her short introduction, Laena held a strong purpose to the House of the Dragon storyline, allowing it to move forward.

We meet Laena as a young girl in the first episode, "The Heir of the Dragons" as a potential wife for King Viserys after Aemma's death. Marriage between the king and Laena wasn't meant to be, and she married his brother instead, with whom she had two children, and a third pregnancy.

The Targaryen connection is still very much present with Laena and the eerie circumstances surrounding it. Like Aemma, Laena has a difficult labor, and would've undergone a dangerous C-section to try to save her child, had it not been for Daemon's objections. However, what's different about Laena's demise is that she chose her time to go, rather than suffering in agony and waiting to die.

To end her pain, she orders her trusted companion and dragon, Vhagar, to draw her fire and is initially met with understandable hesitation. Laena's death was critical to the plot since its design allowed it to move forward and teach no matter who you are in the House of the Dragon universe, everyone has their own dose of suffering.

Lucerys Velaryon

Actor: Elliot Grihault

Lucerys is the middle child of Rhaenyra and Harwin and the core reason why the war shifted from succession to revenge. In the season 1 finale, his Uncle Aemond's (Ewan Mitchell) dragon (Vhagar) kills Lucerys and his much-smaller dragon, Annex, after flying into a violent storm. Aemond is shocked by the unexpected and graphic death of his nephew, who was only fourteen.

Lucerys passing isn't going to go down in vain, and his mother and stepfather, Daemon (her uncle), declare war on The Greens. In the House of the Dragon season 2 premiere, "A Son For a Son," the war will rise to new heights.