What the 'House of the Dragon' cast looks like in real life without wigs, costumes, or makeup

• "House of the Dragon" season two premieres Sunday on HBO.
• The "Game of Thrones" prequel series focuses on the noble houses of Westeros during a civil war.
• Here's how the cast compares to their character counterparts.

Many of the main stars of "House of the Dragon" return for the show's second season.

The "Game of Thrones" prequel was an instant hit when it first premiered in 2022. Season one told a story over 19 years that builds up to a massive civil war in Westeros. Season two will finally show that war, as House Targaryen and House Hightower fight over who should rule Westeros.

Fans may be surprised that many of the cast members do not look like their characters. Though House Targaryen are famous for their blonde hair, Matt Smith and Paddy Considine, who played major Targaryens, are not blonde.

Here's what the cast looks like in real life compared to their characters.

Queen Rhaenyra looks the most similar to Daenerys Targaryen in "Game of Thrones," with signature long blonde hair often worn in braids.

Emma D'Arcy, who portrays older Rhaenyra, wears a wig for their character.

In season one, we saw a younger version of Queen Rhaenyra.

Milly Alcock, who plays young Rhaenyra, is a brunette.

Prince Daemon Targaryen is Rhaenyra's husband and uncle.

Under the blonde wig and sturdy armor, Matt Smith actually has short, dark brown hair.

King Viserys Targaryen has silvery-blonde hair like other members of his family.

Paddy Considine has short, dark, salt-and-pepper hair, but he rocks the same facial hair as his character.

Alicent Hightower is Viserys' second wife and Rhaenyra's former best friend.

In real life, Olivia Cooke has a darker shade of brown hair than her character, and rocks bangs.

In season one, there was a younger version of Alicent.

Emily Carey, who plays young Alicent, also has slightly darker hair than Alicent's.

Criston Cole is a young and solemn knight with curly brown hair and light facial hair.

Of all the cast members, Fabien Frankel resembles his character the most.

Otto Hightower, Alicent's father, is a practical-looking man with close-cropped hair and a beard.

In real life, Rhys Ifans has a less thick beard and lighter hair color.

Princess Rhaenys is the cousin of King Viserys, and wears her hair in a tall, braided style.

Eve Best does have blond hair in real life, but it is shorter than her character's and less silver.

Lord Corlys is a serious leader with white locs and a salt-and-pepper beard.

Steve Toussaint wears a wig for the show because he is bald in real life.

Prince Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon is the firstborn son of Rhaenyra.

Harry Collett, who plays Jacaerys, has curly hair just like his character.

King Aegon II Targaryen is Alicent's firstborn son.

Tom Glynn-Carney, who plays Aegon, has darker hair than Aegon in real life.

Prince Aemond Targaryen, Alicent's third child, has the Targaryen signature blonde hair.

Ewan Mitchell has shorter hair than Aemond.

Queen Helaena Targaryen, Alicent's second child, also has blonde hair.

Phia Saban also wears a wig to portray Helaena Targaryen.

Lady Baela Targaryen is Daemon's first child with his first wife, Laena Valeryon.

Bethany Antonia wears a blonde wig to play Lady Baela

Lady Rhaena Targaryen is Daemon's other daughter.

Phoebe Campbell also wears a blonde wig to play Lady Rhaena

Ser Harrold Westerling is the former lord commander of the Kingsguard.

Graham McTavish looks exactly like his character, without the armor.

Mysaria has long dark hair that is often cloaked in public.

Sonoya Mizuno also looks very similar to her character in real life.