Emma DArcy was feeling like a bit of a cheat.
It was July of 2022 at the world premiere ofHouse of the Dragonin Los Angeles.
And I am quite camera shy, which is obviously a disaster.
Paddy ConsidineVioleta Sofia for Deadline
I sort of felt like, come on, you cowards, use the music!
Like, put your money where your mouth is.
I would never skip the titles, you know?
They were so good.Sogood.
Weiss achieved over eight,Emmy-winning seasons onGame of Thrones.
(Because of the WGA strike, Condal would not dointerviewsfor this story).
So its a three-generational story and we needed to get through that in the course of one season.
Its rarely done, admitted Cooke to Deadline in 2022.
I think while watching it, I felt more pressure than when I actually filmed it.
It never felt like we were replacing the others.
It just felt like the first five episodes were a sort of a time capsule.
There was no laying down of the law for Rhaenyra.
I also didnt feel like that was necessary, DArcy says.
I loved how that was literalized in the show.
It was a very generous springboard for me and Olivia, I think.
(Thats medieval medicine for you!).
I didnt understand that.
Why would you hate him?
The reason for that is because hes actually quite a modern politician.
Hes not quick to move.
He finds the middle often.
Those arent qualities that work in a feudal medieval society.
They are things we look for in our contemporary leaders.
We were really excited to populate this world with a character like that.
Theres a certain weakness seen in that.
That led him to anoint Rhaenyra, instead.
I think his love for his brother is true.
Its just slightly ill-conceived at times.
And when you think hes doing the right thing, actually, hes not.
And when he thinks hes doing the wrong thing, hes not.
If not a tad, ahem, perverted: Daemon ends up gasp!
bedding his niece Rhaenyra while shes still a teen.
But before you clutch your pearls, Smith and DArcy actually leaned into the yukiness of it all.
It can be sexy, and youve got to keep the ick in the room because thats honest.
But ultimately, its important to the story.
So, therefore, Daemon and Rhaenyra do their thing.
There was a bit of jealousy when Season 2 started filming and I wasnt part of it anymore.
But at least I made an impact.
Its Rhaenyras turn now.
(Deadline also broke that Season 2 will only consist of eight episodes, down two from Season 1.
Im excited to pick up where we left off, Condal said.
The wig is amazing.
It does all the work, they admit.
It changes everything about your reality.
I come in and Im completely invisible.
When you come in wearing a blonde wig, people want to hold the door open for you.
Honestly, I cant stress this enough.
People should try it.
