Playing one of the most divisive characters in House of the Dragon hasn’t just put Fabien Frankel in the spotlight—it’s put him directly in the crosshairs of the internet’s ire. As Ser Criston Cole’s reputation nosedived with each betrayal on screen, Frankel became a lightning rod for fan anger, memes, and think pieces. Instead of shying away from the backlash, he’s choosing to reframe it as proof that he’s in a uniquely privileged position as an actor.
Quick read:
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Frankel says fan hate proves people are deeply engaged.
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Calls himself “one of the lucky ones” when audiences show up.
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Sees online scorn as validation of House of the Dragon’s reach.
“You’re the thing they hate” – but that means they’re watching
Speaking to British GQ’s Men of the Year issue, Frankel admitted that the hostility can feel intensely personal: “You can’t help but feel that you’re the thing they hate, and of course, for them, you kind of are,” he says. Yet he quickly flips that perspective, pointing out that the sheer volume of scrutiny only exists because House of the Dragon is so widely watched—and that’s something he refuses to take for granted.
For Frankel, the noise around Criston Cole is ultimately a sign of engagement, not just outrage. As he puts it, “The fact that people are even talking about it, or care enough, means they are sitting at home watching it, and that’s so nice,” adding that if people show up to the theatre or tune into a series you’re in, “then you’ve won, to a degree. You’re one of the lucky ones.” It’s a remarkably grounded way to look at online hate: not as a wall to hide from, but as a warped badge of honor in a crowded TV landscape.
Credit: HBO
Turning vitriol into validation
Frankel’s outlook taps into something every genre actor understands: if fans passionately despise your character, you’re probably doing something right. Criston Cole has become one of modern TV’s most “hate-watchable” figures, and Frankel’s willingness to shoulder that emotional blowback—while still calling himself “lucky”—places him firmly in the camp of performers who see intense reactions as fuel, not a deterrent.
In an era where social media can sour even the biggest successes, his attitude feels disarmingly pragmatic. The hate might sting, but for Frankel, it also confirms that his work is cutting through the noise. As long as audiences keep watching, arguing, and caring about Criston Cole, Fabien Frankel knows he’s exactly where most actors dream of being.
Read next: Fabien Frankel Explains Criston Cole’s Short Hair in House of the Dragon: “Look at the UFC”
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