Actor Emma D'Arcy has been hailed as a powerhouse for her breakout performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen in the fantasy drama, House of the Dragon. Ahead of the premiere of the third season, Emma spoke to Hindustan Times about her character's battles in this season and shared some thoughts on how co-star Matt Smith brings a 'football hooligan energy' to Daemon.
The book presents Rhaenyra as almost a mad queen, a tyrant who could not let go of the lure of power. But the show offers a more layered, sympathetic portrayal of the character. Emma chalks the differences down to how women in power have been perceived over the years.
In season 3, as the Dance of the Dragons intensifies, Rhaenyra will have to contend with more men doubting her abilities to govern. Emma says that Rhaenyra has to deal with a campaign of othering and find a way to declare to her male colleagues and counsel, as well as her subjects, that 'I am the same as you. I have the same capacity to lead the realm as you.'
Praising Matt for his physical style of acting, Emma says he has turned a violent character into a medieval football hooligan, imbuing it with charm. 'There was a scene we did this season, and I got to watch Matt, who is an amazing physical performer, do some violence. The way Matt approaches it is allowing Daemon to be like a football hooligan. It is a much more poised presentation of violence,' says Emma.
House of the Dragon season 3 premieres on June 21 on HBO and HBO Max worldwide. In India, the show will stream on JioHotstar. The eight-episode season 3 will conclude on August 9.
