House of the Dragon season 1 had several deleted or planned scenes that didn’t make it in. These twelve surprisingly didn’t make the cut.

House of the Dragon has already covered a vast period of over twenty years, and in the concise arc of season 1, some important scenes were left out. It’s typical for big shows to shoot scenes and ultimately leave them out. It’s particularly vital in a series that covers as much ground and as many characters as House of the Dragon to be careful about what scenes make it into the released episode.

The deleted House of the Dragon scenes vary in importance to the season 1 plot, ranging between different characters. Like the deleted scenes in the Game of Thrones, the moments cut from House of the Dragon are primarily small characterization bits that clarify motivations. While several deleted scenes have been discussed, none have been released, so each one’s purpose and value are mainly speculative.

Baelon Dies Shortly After Aemma

A scene of Aemma’s son Baelon passing was shot.

The death of Aemma Arryn is a massive proponent of House of the Dragon season 1. Viserys is left as a widower king without a male heir. The loss of his beloved wife leads Viserys down a path of regret and passivity. Aemma died in childbirth, and her baby Baelon passed shortly after. Viserys actor Paddy Considine explained that a scene of Baelon’s death was shot but never made it into the series. The tragedy of episode 1 was harrowing enough as is, and the showrunners had the right instinct to discard a baby death scene, even if it would’ve added to the weight of Viserys and Daemon’s conflict.

Criston Cole Swears His Oath

A season 1 scene was shot of Criston Cole swearing his Kingsguard oath.

Ser Criston Cole quickly became a House of the Dragon character viewers loved to hate during season 1 after his romance with Rhaenyra took a turn for the worse. Actor Fabien Frankel revealed that a scene was shot of his character swearing his Kingsguard oaths, which would have established the taboo nature of Cole and Rhaenyra’s relationship. Funnily enough, the full Kingsguard oath wasn’t written out in the books or Game of Thrones, but House of the Dragon season 1 revealed the vows in a scene with Ser Errick Cargyll swearing loyalty to Rhaenyra. So this moment with Cole would’ve been the first time seeing them.

Daemon Flirts With A Pentoshi Servant

Daemon is revealed to be bisexual in a deleted scene in Pentos.

A scene that showed Daemon flirting with and kissing a male servant while living in Pentos with Laena was cut from the series. Daemon is revealed to be a highly sexual man in season 1, but the nature of his sexuality isn’t explored. While being bisexual is a characterization for Daemon, it’s not the most essential scene cut out of the season. Photos of the scene were released that give an idea of what happened.

Rhaenyra And Jace Meet

A blue-screen shot shows a deleted scene from episode 10.

A photo of Rhaenyra and Jacaerys talking later in the season has been revealed, but there’s zero context for what could happen. The blue screen background hides what they might have been looking at, though the walls indicate that it occurred on Dragonstone. Despite being the eldest son of the main character, Jace isn’t the most developed character in House of the Dragon, and exploring the dynamic with him and his mother, or his thoughts on the impending war, could’ve been valuable.

Daemon Learns About Lucerys’ Death

Matt Smith helped shape the poignant House of the Dragon season 1 ending

House of the Dragon season 1 ends with Rhaenyra hearing the news of her son’s death, showing the face of a mother who now wants revenge. It’s a powerful ending, but not the one the series initially had planned. In an interview with Empire, director Greg Yaitanes explained the original plan: for Daemon to learn of Lucerys’ death and have to decide how to explain it to Rhaenyra. He adds, “It was actually Matt’s idea to take her away from the table and bring it by the fireplace to symbolically have the fire.” The decision resulted in an iconic closing shot.

Rhaenyra Prepares Alicent For Her Wedding

An early image showed Rhaenyra prepping Alicent to marry Viserys.

The division between Rhaenyra and Alicent is one of the central conflicts in House of the Dragon, primarily explored in the latter half of the season after the characters have grown up. The event that divided them, Alicent and Viserys’ wedding, wasn’t depicted in the show, though an early promotional image showed her wedding dress. Showrunner Ryan Condal explained that they shot a scene of Rhaenyra helping Alicent prepare her, which likely would’ve been a tense, awkward moment for the two.

Daemon Mourns With His Daughters

Another scene from Pentos would’ve added to Daemon’s character.

Daemon is the character hurt most by the House of the Dragon deleted scenes, as many involve subtle development moments for him. In a deleted scene following the death of Laena Velaryon, Daemon is seen holding his daughters, comforting them after they’ve lost their mother. This is a vital characterization for Daemon, who is ultimately painted in season 1 as a primarily inattentive father.

Daemon Makes A Toast To Viserys

Daemon originally gave a toast to Viserys at the dinner table.

Episode 8 beautifully displays King Viserys Targaryen’s final days, including a terrific moment when Daemon helps him climb the throne for the last time, a scene improvised by actor Matt Smith. The last-minute decision to include this moment removed the need for another scene, which saw Daemon making a toast to his brother at the dinner table. The decision to show Daemon’s affection for his brother with actions rather than words was fitting, as Daemon isn’t the most emotionally cogent character. However, it could have been a sweet moment that added to the episode.

Baela Wins Rhaenys Over

A scene showed Baela convincing Rhaenys to fight for the blacks.

In the absence of Corlys Velaryon, Rhaenys Targaryen is left with the choice of who House Velaryon will side with in the conflict of succession. In a seemingly integral cut scene, it’s revealed that Baela was the one who persuaded Rhaenys to join the Blacks. Baela states that she’s a dragon rider and will be there fighting in the war, which the House of the Dragon season 2 trailer showed glimpses of. Rhaenys smiles, admitting that she sees glimpses of Laena in Baela. The moment importantly clears up Rhaenys’ motivations toward the end of the season and offers a tender moment showing her affection for her family.

Harold Westerling Confronts Criston Cole

A spicy scene would’ve shown Harold Westerling insulting Criston Cole.

After the council meeting where the future of the Seven Kingdoms is decided, Ser Harold Westerling departs from the room disgruntled. A scene was shot that would show Harrold Westerling and Criston Cole crossing paths in the hall, where Westling insults Cole, saying “The rats in the Red Keep have more honor than you.” Actor Graham McTavish described the scene to TV Line, which seemed like it would’ve provided a fun moment of gratification for Cole haters.

Viserys Considers Revealing The Prophecy To Daemon

An early season deleted scene adds to the Viserys and Daemon dynamic.

The prophecy plot device is an essential aspect of House of the Dragon season 1 that helps tie things directly to Game of Thrones. Paddy Considine described another deleted scene where Viserys sits with Daemon, considering revealing the prophecy to him but ultimately deciding not to. The moment would have further emphasized Daemon’s jealousy later in the season when he discovers the existence of the prophecy, as it implies that Viserys never considered him an actual heir candidate.

Rhaenyra Confronts Alicent About Her Marriage To Viserys

A deleted scene shows Rhaenyra and Alcient’s first argument.

The series explores Rhaenyra and Alicent’s division over time, but apparently, a scene was shot that showed their first explosive argument. This event occurred in the godswood, resulting from Viserys announcing that he’d be wedding Alicent. Rhaenyra and Alicent’s relationship is vital to the show, so skipping such a pivotal moment between the characters is shocking. While most of what was said is implied by other scenes, it seems like the most impactful House of the Dragon deleted scene.