Who Is Alysanne Blackwood, the Archer Who Kills [SPOILER] in 'House of the Dragon'?

Published Jul 27, 2026, 11:27 AM EDT

House of the Dragon has many fascinating female characters, but one of the best has only just recently appeared. Alysanne Blackwood is not in the first two seasons, but Annie Shapero was announced to be playing the part ahead of Season 3, and Episode 6 finally provides a good look at the character. While she has yet to be mentioned by name, Alysanne will become a vital part of the series, at least judging by Fire & Blood, and her ruthless House of the Dragon introduction reveals a lot about her already. Alysanne, sometimes called Black Aly, is a skilled archer in the Riverlands army that fights for Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy). Not only does she have an important role to play in both the war and its aftermath, but Alysanne is exactly the kind of character House of the Dragon needs.

'House of the Dragon' Season 3 Finally Introduces Alysanne Blackwood

House of the Dragon doesn't follow Fire & Blood's introduction of Alysanne, but the series allows her to make an impression. While she is first seen in Episode 2 as one of the loudest singers during the Riverlands soldiers' celebration, she has a much more notable role to play in Episode 6. When the Rivermen and the Winter Wolves ambush Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), Lord Commander of the Kingsguard and Hand of the King, he challenges their leaders to combat. Instead, Alysanne fires three arrows from the treeline, killing Criston. This, in itself, is a huge victory for the Blacks, and given Criston's significant role in the series to date, it immediately makes Alysanne memorable.

While Alysanne isn't directly responsible for Criston's death in Fire & Blood, she plays an important role in the story that House of the Dragon is already telling. As a member of House Blackwood, Alysanne is part of the Riverland army that Daemon (Matt Smith) recruits, even though she isn't mentioned in Season 2. Fire & Blood gives Alysanne a notable role in the Battle of the Burning Mills, where she avenges her brother, Lord Samwell Blackwood, by killing Amos Bracken with a well-aimed arrow. After that conflict, Alysanne is said to have joined the Riverlands host, commanding the archers and fighting in Rhaenyra's name. Described as fierce and fearless, Alysanne continues to fight throughout the war, defying Westeros' expectations of a lady.

'House of the Dragon' Needs Alysanne Blackwood for Its Inevitable Ending

Yet Alysanne's importance is easy to underestimate; she's not just a warrior in the Dance of the Dragons, and in fact becomes a key figure in rebuilding Westeros. Alysanne's most notable storyline in Fire & Blood occurs during the Hour of the Wolf, when Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor) serves as Hand of the King for young Aegon III. Cregan dispenses harsh justice, but allows Aegon III's pardon of Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) to stand despite the king being too young to hold any authority. Though his reasoning remains mysterious, most credit this to Alysanne, who is said to have gone to Cregan, asking him to act mercifully. In the end, Cregan is said to agree to her request as a personal favor on the condition that Alysanne marry him, which ultimately makes her a Stark as well as a Blackwood. Alysanne's merciful stance is a large part of what ushers in peace after the Targaryens' brutal civil war, making her a vital part of its conclusion.

According to Fire & Blood, this is only part of what Alysanne does for the reconstruction of Westeros. Before the new couple returns to the North, she also devises a way to rebuild the Riverlands and finds a home for the displaced Northmen by marrying them to widows in her homeland. This enables the men to stay and help repair the war damage. She may not be a Targaryen, but Alysanne is a necessary part of the Dance's conclusion, and House of the Dragon is likely heading in that direction by introducing her as the archer who slays Ser Criston Cole.

House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.