Portrayed by Olivia Cooke (adult)

Emily Carey (young)

Current Status: Alive

Age: 35

Date of Birth: 97 AC

Origin: King's Landing

Episode Appearances: 9

First Seen: ‘The Heirs of the Dragon’

Last Seen: ‘The Green Council’

BACKGROUND

Alicent Hightower, born in 97 AC, is the daughter of Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King to Viserys Targaryen, as well as his predecessor King Jaehaerys Targaryen. Alicent has a number of brothers, the eldest being Ser Gwayne Hightower, a tourney knight. From an early age, she has lived within the Red Keep of King’s Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. Nearing the end of King Jaehaerys’ long reign, with her father acting as Hand, Alicent has grown up among the royal family of House Targaryen and is closest friends with Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, the daughter of King Viserys.

As a clever and precocious child, Alicent was already very studious and possessed a particular passion for history. As a member of House Hightower, she is anxiously devoted to pursuing her duties and meeting the expectations that everyone had of her, mostly related to her father Otto. Alicent is fiercely loyal to her family and is also unconditionally loyal to Princess Rhaenyra, her best friend, to whom she feels deeply attached to. Since her youth, Alicent has displayed a habit of picking at her fingernails when she is stressed.

Having lost her mother at a very young age, Alicent is able to fully comprehend the stages of mourning that both King Viserys and Princess Rhaenyra are going through following the tragic death of Queen Aemma Arryn. This has assisted Alicent in understanding how to advise and give emotional support to both of them, though her support of King Viserys has been at the command of her father Otto. Alicent is acutely aware of her duties to her house.