Season 3 of House of the Dragon premieres this Sunday. It’s been a long two years since Season 2 ended. If you’re struggling to remember the characters and their confusingly similar names, you’re not alone. Similar names like Aegon, Aemond, Rhaenys, Rhaenyra, and Rhaena challenge everyone. This season adds Daemon and Daeron into the mix.

The battle is for the Iron Throne. In Season 1, King Viserys promised his daughter Rhaenyra the throne. However, on his deathbed, Rhaenyra’s friend Alicent misunderstood Viserys’ wishes and put her son Aegon on the throne. This ignited the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, a violent war for power.

Team Black

Headquartered in Dragonstone, Team Black includes several houses like Velaryon, Stark, Arryn, and Tully. They have seven dragons: Syrax, Caraxes, Vermax, Moondancer, Vermithor, Silverwing, and Seasmoke, plus two hatchlings and three dragon eggs.

Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy): She fights for her right to inherit the Seven Kingdoms, despite Aegon taking the Iron Throne. Her son Luke was killed by Aegon’s brother Aemond. Her uncle/husband Daemon challenged her, leading to his exile. She rides Syrax.

Prince Daemon (Matt Smith): After wandering through Harrenhal and experiencing visions, Daemon ends Season 2 by uniting houses under Rhaenyra. He rides Caraxes.

Prince Jacaerys (Harry Collett): Rhaenyra’s son helped gain support from the Starks. He rides Vermax.

Lady Baela (Bethany Antonia): Daemon’s daughter, betrothed to Jacaerys, rides Moondancer.

Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint): He commands Team Black’s fleet and blockades King’s Landing.

Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno): Known as White Worm, she’s Rhaenyra’s spymaster.

Ser Simon Strong (Sir Simon Russell Beale): He surrendered Harrenhal easily, maintaining a seemingly harmless demeanor.

Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin): Known for mysterious and ominous behavior, she influences Daemon’s visions.

New Dragonriders: Addam, Ulf, and Hugh have joined Team Black, riding Seasmoke, Silverwing, and Vermithor, respectively.

Lady Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell): Twins with Baela, she was tasked with protecting Rhaenyra’s children. She captured a wild dragon, Sheepstealer.

Team Green

Team Green operates from King’s Landing’s Red Keep, allied with houses like Hightower, Lannister, and Baratheon. They hold three dragons: Vhagar, Dreamfyre, and Tessarion. Sunfyre, Aegon’s dragon, is presumed dead.

Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke): Widow of King Viserys, her alliances and relationships are complex, strained by family conflicts. She reached out to Rhaenyra in the Season 2 finale, hoping to protect her son Aegon.

King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney): Current ruler, injured by his brother Aemond. He no longer claims Sunfyre as his dragon.

Aemond (Ewan Mitchell): Calls himself Aemond One-Eye, infamous for his cruelty. He killed Lucerys and severely injured his brother, then seized control. He rides Vhagar.

Helaena (Phia Saban): Known for her prophetic dreams, she rides Dreamfyre but prefers not to engage in battles.

Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel): Aegon’s Hand, once had ties with Rhaenyra and Alicent.

New Characters: Daeron, another Hightower son, was raised away from King’s Landing. He rides Tessarion.

Upcoming in Season 3, expect a big naval battle in Blackwater Bay. New characters from both the Greens and Blacks will arrive, adding fresh dynamics. Also, prepare for more confrontations between Alicent and Rhaenyra.