Aerion Targaryen almost had a “Slim Shady”‑like hairstyle on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Quick Read

• Finn Bennett says Aerion’s wig went through eight or nine tests.
• Early versions included a rugby‑style mullet that was quickly scrapped.
• Showrunner Ira Parker liked Bennett’s shaved head but worried it looked “too Slim Shady.”

Wig tests and bold choices

Bennett explained that the creative team debated whether Aerion should have the traditional long, flowing Targaryen hair or something more modern in a Vulture interview. He recalled: “There were a lot of conversations about where they were going to land with the wigs and whether it would be the traditional long, flowy kind of wigs. But I really like that they’ve been brave and bold about it. Westeros has a history, it’s a place, and there will be fashions that crop up and die, and I really like that everyone has short hair in this.”

Coming straight off another project, Bennett had a buzzed head, which led to eight or nine wig tests. One early attempt was a rugby‑style mullet, which he admitted looked terrible. The team eventually shortened the style until it matched Aerion’s brooding personality.

Slim Shady in Westeros?

The shaved‑head look nearly stuck, and Bennett revealed that showrunner Ira Parker liked the idea. But he admitted: “I do think showrunner Ira Parker quite liked my shaved head, and we were thinking about doing that for a bit, but it might have looked a bit too Slim Shady.” Bennett laughed that once the wig went on, he immediately started acting broodier, because the style made him look “like a bit of an asshole — and I loved it.”

The comparison sparked fan jokes about Aerion as Westeros’s Slim Shady — a rebellious figure with swagger, menace, and a flair for chaos. Just as Eminem’s alter ego embodied raw defiance, Aerion’s look could have amplified his cruel streak with a modern edge.

Aerion Targaryen in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Image: HBO)

What lies ahead for Aerion and Finn Bennett

While Aerion’s hairstyle may have avoided Slim Shady territory, Bennett’s performance ensures the character remains unforgettable. His ability to channel cruelty while hinting at deeper insecurities makes Aerion one of the most complex figures in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. For Bennett, the role is both a challenge and a showcase of range — proving he can embody characters who are cold, villainous, and layered.

Looking ahead, Aerion’s arc promises more opportunities for Bennett to explore the darker corners of Westeros. Whether fans joke about him as the “Eminem of the Targaryens” or not, his portrayal has already carved out a unique place in the Thronesverse.