Family members who grew up side-by-side arenow facing off on the battlefield.
On the other side, at Rhaenyra’s side is her uncle/husband Daemon (Matt Smith).
The trio joked about the new season and the time jumps from the first season.
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
Frankel discussedCriston’s new relationship with Alicentthis season and how it’s different from his relationship with Rhaenyra.
Cooke spoke about being the Dowager Queen and hershift in power now that Aegon is on the throne.
And Smith hints ata deep fracture between Daemon and Rhaenyrathis season that will test Daemon’s loyalties.
My first question is actually for Matt and Fabien.
FABIEN FRANKEL: We miss the old cast.
[Laughs] No, no, no, no.
It’s been great.
OLIVIA COOKE: To my defense, we were there the whole time!
FRANKEL: Yeah, you were.
Image via HBO
It feels like you came sort of late, but I guess not.
COOKE: We didn’t.
We got to cast first!
Image via HBO
We were there the whole time.
It pisses me off!
[Laughs] We didnt just suddenly arrive midway through.
Image via HBO
FRANKEL: Some of the others did.
Phia [Saban] arrived quite late, didn’t she?
MATT SMITH: Season 2 has been a triumph from start to finish.
We’ve all had an absolute blast.
I’ve lost my mind.
I don’t know why I’m laughing.
Image via HBO
COOKE: I’m so sorry I got so angry.
[Laughs]
SMITH: I do look back on those younger days with great fondness, though.
We were laughing about it earlier.We were all meant to age, like, 20 years.
Image via HBO
COOKE: I know!
SMITH: Tom [Glynn-Carney] wasn’t even born.
I’ve got a different head!
FRANKEL: We’re so old!
What has changed and why theres not as much of that resentment being held?
FRANKEL:I think they’re really different, and I think it’s a really different relationship.
Like we said, it’s been so long.
That relationship with Rhaenyra was so long ago, and they were so young.
At this point,they’ve been there for so long, it’s a really different thing.
Also, Rhaenyra and Cole were kids when they got together.
They were just really young and inexperienced, and it’s a very different relationship.
Will they bend the knee to Team Green or Team Black?
COOKE: It’s interesting.
SMITH: It’s a very good question.
I think where his loyalties lie is probably a question that the series poses this year for Daemon.
Look, there’s a deep fraction between their relationship.
He’s riding towards a very dark, stormy place of self-reflection and deep abyss.
I’m not looking forward to that, but we’ll see how it goes.
SMITH: Oh, it’s a hoot!
Who Would Smith, Cooke, and Frankel Pick To Play on the Opposite Team?
SMITH: She is baller, isnt she?
I do love Rhaenys.
She’s so good, as well, isnt she?
COOKE: Oh, fucking hell!
FRANKEL: In that first scene, shes so good.
I probably would play Daemon, to be honest.
It’s so much fun to play someone with that much irreverence.
SMITH: It’s been interesting.
You know what I mean?
They’re all quite similar sort of paths, even this year.
FRANKEL: Yeah, mine would be Daemon.
SMITH: I don’t know, really.
Im trying to think.
FRANKEL: Youd be quite good at Otto.
SMITH: Oh, Ottos great.
FRANKEL: He’s always kind of…
COOKE: Conniving.
SMITH: Yeah, Otto.
FRANKEL: Or Larys.
SMITH: I hate them all!
I dont want to play any of them.
House of the DragonSeason 2 premieres today on Max in the U.S.
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