House of the DragonSeason 2 is slowly approaching and the show’s incredible cast have started making the press rounds to promote the new season. Starting on June 16, Season 2 will take place just days after Season 1’s shocking finale, which has potentially plunged House Targaryen and House Hightower into all-out war over the Iron Throne. While a lot of the marketing material, includingdueling trailers symbolizing the upcoming war, have been looking ahead to Season 2, the show’s two stars, Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra Targaryen) andOlivia Cooke(Alicent Hightower) have taken a moment to look back at their first day on set during Season 1.
In aHBO featuretteto promote Season 2, D’Arcy and Cooke sat down and re-watched their three favorite scenes from Season 1. Whilst watching their characters violently confront each other in Episode 7, the pair described shooting the scene, with Emma D’Arcy revealing it was her first day on set. While the rest of the cast were wearing the beautifully made, medieval-inspired garments and costumes, D’Arcy was off camera wearing a casual, 21st Century look. The actress said:
“I remember the first day was really amazing ‘cause I was off camera the whole time. And so I was getting to do this scene, but in my own clothes. Which sometimes feels kind of nice. But I just remember it, ‘cause it was sort of the first time I got to act with you. I had one of those days where you feel very made up because I was in my tracksuit speaking to Olivia Cooke and Paddy Considine. And it was really wicked.”
Olivia Cooke then praised her co-star’s performance in the scene (despite her being in a tracksuit). D’Arcy said:
“No, I remember the same thing, and watching you. And you’re so stoic, and you’re so indignant as well. And, like, playing off of that, I was so infuriated on the day. It was so juicy. I don’t think we’ve filmed a scene like that since.”
Emma D’Arcy Was Upstaged by a Much Younger Co-Star
House of the Dragon
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
During the featurette, the pair also viewed Joffrey Targaryen’s birth scene. Whilst re-watching the scene, D’Arcy joked that she felt entirely upstaged by their infant co-star. Cooke first joked about it, saying “I just remember that baby was so good.” D’Arcy then quickly replied, saying:
“Upstaged me in my birth scene, actually.”
House of the Dragon Season 2 Timeline and Plot Revealed by Cast
House of the Dragon’s stars reveal some major details about the show’s upcoming second season.
The pair then discussed other aspects of the dramatic scene, with Olivia Cooke revealing the immense pressure she felt during the scene. Season 1 ofHouse of the Dragonintroduced audiences to Rhaenyra Targaryenand Alicent Hightower across a few decades, switching actors every few episodes. The birthing scene introduced audiences to D’Arcy and Cooke’s iterations of the characters, which Cooke said added an extra weight to her shoulders. The actress said:
“I just remember there was so much pressure because they were introducing us as the character. Even though we’d been filming for months at that point. There was pressure on that day. Like, this was our introduction.”
House of the DragonSeason 2 starts on July 19, 2025, on HBO and Max. Season 1 is available to stream on Max.
