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Emma D’Arcy’s request for a weapon for Rhaenyra
Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO
Emma D’Arcy highlighted their wish for Rhaenyra to have a weapon in future seasons of House of the Dragon. They described the practicality and empowerment a prop like a sword or dagger could bring to the character. This request reflects Rhaenyra’s growing strength and authority in the story. D’Arcy said:
“The petition I’ve put in is, I want a weapon. Like, it’s getting ridiculous. I don’t even mind if it’s like a like a little dagger or a short sword. I don’t really care. Like imagine all the men in the show don’t have to worry about where they put their hands because they’re constantly holding the pommel of their sword.”
“And all the rest of us are going, where do we put our [ __ ] hands? Anyway, next year one one hand is going to be taken care of. That’s what I want, I want a sword, and I’ve been really clear about that with Ryan. And I think that’s happening in terms of what happens next, you know.”
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Rhaenyra’s evolution in Season 2
Credit: Theo Whiteman/HBO
Season 2 of House of the Dragon focuses on Rhaenyra’s response to grief and her quest for power. D’Arcy shared that Rhaenyra’s profound loss is the driving force behind her evolution. This dislocating grief propels her journey as she fights for her late son’s name and legacy. D’Arcy said:
“Yeah, at the start of the series, I think she is in profound grief. Grief, as we sort of know, can be such a dislocating force. So, I suppose, in a way, the journey she goes on is really clear. She starts the series as sort of an island unto herself, and she has to make a journey back to her family, her peers, her allies in order to reclaim power. She’s fighting for her late son’s name.”
“It was a really fortuitous and unusual situation for me because I shot the second series after experiencing a really significant bereavement. It’s fascinating to find yourself invited to ruminate on that loss and the grieving process while simultaneously trying to compartmentalize it in some way. It was an interesting experience of, in some moments, suppressing something and, in other moments, being invited to sit with it for long periods.”
Emma reflected on their personal experiences with loss during filming. They found it challenging but meaningful to explore grief through their character. This duality added emotional depth to their portrayal, making Rhaenyra’s struggles feel authentic and relatable. D’Arcy said:
“I imagine it gets complicated, too. In my head, I would be asking myself, “Am I using this real, profound loss for my job? And is that right?” But I guess that is the job. It truly is the job—to use your life, your experiences. At the same time, when it’s something so important and profound, it’s complicated. I think it’s complicated.”
“Normally, my feeling is that the main part of our job is to pretend. I feel that quite strongly. The most important muscle for an actor is the imaginative muscle. I sometimes think I have to be strict with myself about working my imagination and not being lazy. The payoff, if you really do the imaginative work, is that the resource keeps giving. In contrast, relying on your own personal experiences can start to thin out or become challenging to process.”
“But grief is unusual. It feels physiological in some way. You are a different person. You’re like a stranger to yourself. I felt a little dislocated from myself while we were shooting Series 2, and that wasn’t something I could opt out of.”
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Rhaenyra’s future challenges
Credit: Theo Whiteman/HBO
D’Arcy discussed the challenges Rhaenyra will face in a position of power. They shared curiosity about how the character’s new responsibilities will shape her decisions. The actor emphasized that power brings unique conditions and challenges. Season 2 delves into the darker aspects of Rhaenyra’s character. D’Arcy described this transformation as an exciting opportunity to explore unsympathetic traits in the character. D’Arcy hinted that fans should brace for shocking moments as Rhaenyra’s story unfolds. They said:
“Something that struck me recently is that in both series, circumstances often put her in a reactive position. At the end of Series 2, though, she is in a superior political position for the first time. I don’t really know the answer to what happens when she’s in genuine power and not being constantly undermined by her own council. She has the strategic advantage now, which is a completely new dynamic.”
“Towards the end of the second series, we see her make a distinct choice about her own destiny for the first time. She inherited the role, along with all the responsibilities it carries. But when the threat arises that her father might have changed his mind on his deathbed about the succession, she is forced to make a decision. Even if she finds it unlikely, the mere possibility compels her to decide what she truly wants.”
“At this point, we see her lean into her faith and the historical legacy of her family. There’s something almost fanatical about her behavior as she takes up her own name and ordains herself by the end of Series 2. I find this shift frightening in a way I really enjoy. Suddenly, we’re approaching the realm of fanaticism, where faith begets faith, and her character becomes more unsettling.”
“This development makes her a more frightening character, and I want to test the audience’s loyalty to her. She has garnered all this goodwill, and now I want to challenge that. Let’s see how unsympathetic she can become. I don’t know since I’m not writing it, but I’m excited to test those relationships.”
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