Warning: spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon episode 5.
House of the Dragon fans aren’t the only ones who are going to miss Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lady Alicent Hightower, with members of the cast also sharing tributes to the stellar young actors.
Fabien Frankel, who plays the gallant Ser Criston Cole in the Game of Thrones prequel series, chimed in to express how highly he thinks of his co-star Milly, writing in an Instagram comment: ‘You’ll be missed Kiddo.’
In episode 5 of the show, Rhaenyra’s wedding to Ser Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate) ends in tragedy, as the groom’s lover Ser Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod) is viciously killed in the middle of the feast by Criston in a fit of rage.
Next week’s sixth episode will feature a 10-year time jump, with the role of Rhaenyra being taken over by Emma D’Arcy and the character of Alicent being taken over by Olivia Cooke.
To mark her final appearance in the series (unless she ends up returning in future seasons in flashback scenes), Milly shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, beginning with a photo of her and Emily sharing a warm embrace.
‘I love u all I love u I love this!’ she wrote in the caption, with other photos including a snap of Fabien snoozing while slouched in a chair while wearing his headphones, as well as Prince Daemon Targaryen actor Matt Smith holding up a special House of the Dragon pass.
The post also featured a video of Milly and Emily sharing a hug and giggle during filming, as well as an image of Milly and Fabien in their everyday clothes, seemingly performing a jig while having a smoke.
As well as Fabien’s adorable comment underneath Milly’s compilation, Emily wrote: ‘I love love love u.’
House of the Dragon producer and director Greg Yaitanes commented: ‘Congratulations on launching this show and showing the world who you are,’ while Clare Kilner, who directed episodes four and five, added: ‘I love u Milly!! U intelligent funny, sensitive, creative wonderful human being!’
Emily marked her last episode by sharing a couple of stills from a scene she shared with Rhys Ifans, who plays her on-screen father, Ser Otto Hightower.
‘The last hurrah for us youngerz on @houseofthedragonhbo tonight.“The road ahead is uncertain, but the end is clear,”’ she said in her caption.
Olivia, who’s taking over her role, wrote underneath: ‘Big old shoes to fill pls just do it all you’ve been so great.’
Director Clare added: ‘Emily!! You are absolutely amazing as a human being and as a actor!! @theemilycarey so much love to you.’
Paddy Considine, who stars in the series as King Viserys I Targaryen, paid homage to both Milly and Emily in a post, sharing an image of them in character as he wrote: ‘Last ep before the time jump for these legends. @theemilycarey @millyalcock It was an absolute pleasure working with the pair of you. Go forth!.’
Responding to her on-screen husband, Emily said: ‘We must sashay away. It’s been a joy Pads!’
House of the Dragon next airs on Monday at 2am on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
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