Actress Milly Alcock, who plays Rhaenyra in “House of the Dragon,” discusses the first scene she shot for the prequel to Game of Thrones, and it was a significant one. 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen and 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, “House of the Dragon” reintroduces viewers to the world of Westeros. House of the Dragon also stars Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans, Emily Carey, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, and Fabien Frankel in addition to Alcock as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
King Viserys I Targaryen occupies the Iron Throne at this point in Westerosi history, however his future is still up in the air. Viserys crowns Rhaenyra as his heir to the Iron Throne when his wife Queen Aemma Arryn and their infant son die in delivery, essentially laying the groundwork for the forthcoming Targaryen conflict of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons. Viserys and Rhaenyra have a crucial chat before she may be named heir before the ceremony at the conclusion of the first episode of “House of the Dragon.”
Alcock recently disclosed the first scene she shot for the prequel was the sequence with her and Considine in the skull room at the end of the first episode during an appearance on The Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon following episode 3. In it, Viserys discusses with Rhaenyra the prophetic dream of Aegon the Conqueror and how it has been passed down from monarch to successor for many years. Alcock remembers trembling in anticipation of recording the scene, not only because it was her first day, but also because of how crucial the sequence was. Here is what she revealed:
“The end of the first episode, I’m in the skull room with Paddy and he’s telling me something very, very important and that was my first day and I was shaking. I was so scared.”
Alcock’s trembling before recording this specific moment is understandable, not just since it was her first day on the eagerly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, but also due to the sequence’s overall significance. The prophetic dream of Aegon the Conqueror, which saw a Great Winter coming from the North and bringing a peril that could only be vanquished with a Targaryen on the Iron Throne, is related by Viserys to Rhaenyra. The title of George R.R. Martin’s book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as the White Walker danger seen in Game of Thrones hundreds of years later, are both references in this scenario.
On “House of the Dragon,” despite being thrown right into the fire, Alcock held her own opposite Considine, an actor with much more experience. The young actor’s portrayal has only garnered further attention and appreciation with each new episode. However, audiences should make the most of Alcock’s portrayal of Rhaenyra while it lasts because she and the other “House of the Dragon” performers will soon be replaced after another time leap. On “House of the Dragon,” Emma D’Arcy will shortly take Alcock’s place as Rhaenyra.
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