Baela and Jacaerys actors Bethany Antonia and Harry Collett can’t stop praising Emma D’Arcy’s powerful acting in the latest season of House of the Dragon. In a new Rotten Tomatoes interview, two key members of the House of the Dragon cast opened up about what it was like witnessing Emma D’Arcy’s performance as Rhaenyra Targaryen in Episode 2 of Season 3, and their words are glowing.
Quick read:
- Rhaenyra’s on-screen son and step-daughter praise the actor for their performance especially in episode 2 of the upcoming season
- Bethany said if it was upto her she would give every award to Emma for that specific performance
- Harry said it is the best performance he has ever seen firsthand on the set
“They’d have every award going”
Bethany Antonia, who plays Baela Targaryen, was visibly moved when discussing one particular scene from the episode. She described Emma D’Arcy’s work as nothing short of a masterclass:
“There’s a moment in episode two that I think Emma D’Arcy gave a masterclass of performance. And like, if it was up to us, they’d have every award going.”
Antonia went on to highlight the sheer endurance required for the scene, which was filmed over an extremely long shooting day:
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“It was genuinely to do that and keep it up for 10 to 14 hours of the day as well. It was… I can’t honestly, I was speechless on the day as well. It was just wonderful, wasn’t it? And it was so real. And also watching them maintain it.”
Bethany Antonia: “There’s a moment in episode two that I think Emma D’Arcy gave a masterclass of performance […].”
Harry Collett: “I think I would say, in my whole acting career, […] that is probably the best performance I’ve seen firsthand on set.” pic.twitter.com/WnX0u85UH6
— 🦔 (emma z. d’arcy’s version) (@starsdusks) June 19, 2026
“Best performance I’ve ever seen”
Harry Collett (Jacaerys Velaryon), who has been acting since he was six years old, didn’t hold back when sharing his own reaction. He ranked Emma D’Arcy’s Episode 2 performance at the very top:
“I think I would say, in my whole acting career — and I do remember a lot, even though I started when I was six — but that is probably the best performance I’ve seen firsthand on set.”
Emma D’Arcy has been widely praised by fans and critics for their nuanced portrayal of Rhaenyra, especially as the character navigates grief, leadership, and the escalating civil war. The fact that fellow cast members, who work with D’Arcy every day on set are calling a single scene a “masterclass” speaks volumes about the emotional weight and technical brilliance on display by them.
