House Of The Dragon - Every Main Character Ranked From Worst To Best

To say that Paddy Considine's Viserys Targaryen was imperfect would be an understatement. What is not is the assertion that the veteran actor's Targaryen King was the most universally beloved character on the show.

Viserys was prone to inaction, allowing the people in his inner circle to undermine him. Daemon, Rhaenyra and Otto all ran roughshod over him at one point or another, getting away with acts that would cost the average citizen their head. This failure to act was an incisive factor in the development of Rhaenyra and Alicent's feud; their family's infighting subsequently ate away at the King until there was nothing left but an emaciated skeleton.

Viserys became such a fan favorite as it became clear what an inherently good man he was. Viserys wanted nothing more than to build bridges with Rhaenyra after Aemma's death, and even in the face of constant pressure and Aegon's birth, still refused to strip her of her title of heir apparent. Even in his final days, Viserys' love for his family shone through; his impassioned plea at dinner to no longer hold ill feeling towards each other - delivered as a family member and a dying man, rather than a king - was one of the most heartbreakingly poignant television scenes in recent memory.

Considine also received praise in particular from fans for the devastatingly authentic manner in which he depicted Viserys in the stages of terminal illness, with many visibly moved by the the parallels to their own tragic personal experiences. A towering performance for the ages and one that will be sorely missed; give the man a damn Emmy already.