Olivia Cooke on Her ‘House of the Dragon’ Character’s Lack of Surprises at the End of Season 2

In last week’s finale of “House of the Dragon,” the show left us eagerly anticipating what’s next, but it did manage to resolve one key issue by clarifying Alicent’s true loyalties.

In a secret meeting at Dragonstone, Alicent offers to surrender King’s Landing in exchange for her family’s safety. However, Rhaenyra demands that Alicent also agree to the death of her son, Aegon, a condition Alicent reluctantly accepts. Olivia Cooke, who plays Alicent, recently shared her thoughts on this pivotal scene in an interview with GQ.

Cooke explained that she approached the scene with a focus on authenticity. “I played it as truthful,” Cooke said. “Alicent goes into this knowing that she might have to give up Aegon. There’s a part of her that hopes she might still find a way to avoid it, but she knows that’s unlikely. The scene is about Alicent’s final attempt to secure safety for herself and her daughter, even if it means facing her ultimate loss.”

Cooke also discussed how Alicent’s actions reflect a significant personal reckoning. “In episodes four, five, and six, Alicent realizes she has made a grave mistake by placing her son on the throne based on a misinterpretation of her dying husband’s wishes,” Cooke said. “By the time she reaches Rhaenyra, she is deeply aware of the magnitude of her error.”

Cooke compared Alicent’s approach to Rhaenyra to a form of confession. “It’s like a confessional,” she said. “Alicent is putting herself through the biggest confession of her life.”

The actress highlighted the collaborative effort between her and co-star Emma D’Arcy in bringing depth to the scene. “We were both focused on finding the rhythm of the scene,” Cooke noted. “I relied on Emma to help balance the emotions, considering the significance of this being the season finale and the culmination of the characters’ long-standing conflict.”

Cooke also expressed her trust in D’Arcy’s feedback. “I wanted to ensure that if anything felt off, Emma and the directors would guide me,” she said. “The pressure of making the finale impactful was significant, and I wanted the scene to be as compelling and satisfying as possible for the meeting of these two women who have been at odds throughout the season.”