How do you approach a character like this?
But when I found out, I couldnt process it.
I didnt process it for about three days.
It didnt kick in until day three, that it was actually this show.
When I started reading the script, I was like, Huh, thats me.
But I truly dont think I ever fully processed it.
Image via HBO
MILLY ALCOCK: I still havent processed it.
Its just a blur, this whole experience.
CAREY: Yeah, its a whirlwind, for sure.
Image via HBO
What was the thing that really helped key you into your character?
CAREY: For me, it was my journal.
I journaled in character.
Image via HBO
It was very near and dear to my heart.
Throughout the whole rehearsal period is when I got most of the journaling done.
ALCOCK: For me, what weighed Rhaenyra down was the costumes, in a weird sense.
Shes physically restricted, so it impacted the way that I would approach a scene.
Did you just need to take a moment, every day?
The first time that I was in costume and on the set was for a camera test.
You just are put in front of a camera and have to walk around a little bit.
I remember that I was itching to just do it.
Id stepped on set and it was so immersive.
The costumes pull your shoulders back and they change the way you walk.
I was there with Milly.
It was just the two of us.
And I remember looking at her like, This is it.
What do I say?
Come on, give me something to do now.
It suddenly became very real, and it felt so right.
Suddenly, a lot of my nervousness had gone away because I was there and everything clicked.
I was, Right, I dont have to be scared anymore.
ALCOCK: Yeah, every day was just heaven, in a weird way.
What was your connection toGame of Thrones?
Had you seen it, or had you just heard of it?
Did that add any weight or responsibility to all of this?
CAREY: Of course, it adds a certain amount of pressure that its a preexisting show.
And not just that, but its the biggest TV show, possibly ever.
Its impossible to not feel the pressure and the weight of that.
But neither of us had seen the original show before we booked the role.
We both watched it in pre-production.
I stopped watching it in pre-production because I got so overwhelmed by it.
I had to prioritize a little bit.
ALCOCK: How do you live up to the greatest show of all time?
CAREY: I guess well find out.
ALCOCK: I guess were going to find out.
It feels like theres such a responsibility to old fans, and we have to live up to that.
Ultimately, I know that were all here to venture to tell a new and authentic story.
CAREY: I second that.
Its so interesting, what a personal story this feels like.
Did it help to connect, with the whole family drama aspect?
CAREY: One hundred percent.
For a fantasy fan, this gives you everything and more.
Its never really been my genre.
At its core, its a very grounded story with very grounded, truthful, complex characters.
I think our show is the exact same.
Thats why it was so fun to play with, as an actor.
ALCOCK: Its just good writing.
Its good writing thats set into the context of a world that we dont live in.
Hopefully,House of the Dragonexecutes that as well as [Game of Thrones].
CAREY: Fingers crossed.
There are dysfunctional families in every genre and every time period.
ALCOCK: Families are dysfunctional, inherently.
CAREY: I think just the palpable closeness between them.
It toes the line between platonic and romantic.
I dont think you even know what those words mean at 14.
You dont know what the feelings mean.
Its just this need to be with that person.
You love them with your whole being, and you just adore them.
Theres something really nice about it.
Thats what I loved most about our relationship.
You meet them at such a happy point within their adolescence.
House of the Dragonairs on Sunday nights on HBO and is available to stream at HBO Max.
