As the Dance of the Dragons rips Westeros apart in House of the Dragon, one of the most divisive figures in the conflict is still Alicent Hightower. She is the character fans love, hate, defend, and dissect in equal measure, often in the same episode. At CCXP Mexico 2026, Olivia Cooke offered a striking insight into Alicent’s state of mind, painting a portrait of a woman who would gladly end it all if she only had the power to do so.
Quick read:
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Olivia Cooke says Alicent would “press” a big red button to end war
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The actor believes Alicent is driven by remorse, guilt, and regret
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CCXP Mexico 2026 panel sheds light on Alicent’s inner conflict
Olivia Cooke imagines Alicent stopping the war
On stage at CCXP Mexico 2026, Olivia Cooke was asked to reflect on where Alicent Hightower stands in the bloody chaos she helped unleash. Her answer was surprisingly tender toward a character many fans see as one of the architects of the war. She said:
“100%. If she had a big red button that can stop all the war and you know there can be peace in the land, then she’d press it. She would press it immediately. I think she feels huge remorse and huge guilt and regret for the things that she’s done.”
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Remorse, guilt, and the tragedy of Alicent Hightower
Cooke’s comments at CCXP Mexico add another layer to the ongoing conversation about where Alicent sits in the moral landscape of House of the Dragon. By stressing “huge remorse,” “huge guilt,” and “regret,” she positions Alicent as someone who is acutely aware of the cost of her actions, even if she cannot simply walk away from them. It suggests that, in Cooke’s reading, Alicent is no longer just fighting for her son’s crown; she is also wrestling with the knowledge that every move on the board spills more blood in her name.
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