House of the Dragon co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal has named Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke, as the character he believes is best suited to rule Westeros after the Dance of the Dragons civil war. Speaking on Empire's Pilot TV podcast, Condal said Alicent has "seen it all" in terms of the shift between power and powerlessness, and argued that her not riding a dragon could be an asset for a "sane and stable leader." He stressed the remark is his personal view rather than a hint at who actually wins the war in the show's upcoming fourth and final season, or a spoiler for George R.R. Martin's source book, Fire & Blood.

Condal also named Lord Corlys Velaryon, played by Steve Toussaint, as his second choice, joking he was picking someone "that wasn't blonde." He further reflected on Season 3's ending, describing Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen's pull between the philosophies of Viserys and Daemon as she is gradually altered by proximity to the throne, while rival Aegon II undergoes a more sympathetic character evolution after being pushed away from power.