Emma D’Arcy discussed what it was like to film the Game of Thrones prequel, the House of the Dragon, and how not being a fan of the original series actually helped them get the role.
The star plays Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in the series, which is set about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
They got the call offering them the role at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in most work drying up entirely.
“It was very strange timing. I was just really delighted at having something to do again,” they told The i.
D’Arcy also admitted that they had never seen Game of Thrones and added that this may have been a good thing.
They continued: “If I had the love for Game of Thrones before my audition that I have for it now, I don’t think I’d be sitting here. The pressure was already significant.
“If I already had a personal investment in the franchise, I don’t think I would have held my nerve honestly.”
At the time of auditioning, the 30-year-old had no idea what the House of the Dragon was about, or that it was a spin-off of the fantasy series.
“I think that’s entirely a reflection on me,” they stated. “Everyone else managed to work it out; I remained very naïve. Everyone’s making fantasy series these days, so I just thought it was some spoof version. I didn’t realise until I was asked to send in another audition tape.”
D’Arcy also shared that the show “attempts to deliver a different gaze” to its predecessor and has a “focus on the violence inherent in patriarchal structures.”
House of the Dragon is available from 22 August exclusively on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW.
Latest
