Over the course of House of the Dragon, viewers have watched Alicent Hightower lose much of the certainty that once defined her. The queen who spent years trying to hold her family together has been shaped by grief, politics, and impossible choices. So when Olivia Cooke was asked to compare Alicent to Sid Baker, her character in Slow Horses, the actress didn’t hesitate. In her eyes, Alicent would be deeply jealous of the confidence and freedom that Sid possesses.
Quick read:
- Olivia Cooke compared Alicent and Sid.
- Alicent lacks Sid’s self-assurance.
- Freedom is what Alicent would envy most.
Olivia Cooke sees two very different women
Speaking to Town & Country, Cooke reflected on how Alicent would view Sid, the MI5 agent she plays in Slow Horses.
The actress pointed to the confidence that drives Sid, something she believes Alicent has gradually lost throughout her journey in Westeros.
“I think Alicent would be very jealous of Sid. Sid has a lot of just inner confidence and assuredness, whereas Alicent, we’ve seen that crumble. Her inner resolve and her inner compass have really, really crumbled over the years.”
It’s a striking observation because it highlights how dramatically Alicent has changed since fans first met her. The young woman who once believed in duty and order has spent three seasons navigating betrayal, loss, and civil war, leaving her increasingly uncertain about her place in the world.
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Sid represents the independence Alicent never had
Cooke also believes the biggest difference between the two characters comes down to freedom.
Continuing her comparison, she explained:
“She’d be probably jealous of Sid’s autonomy and freedom as well.”
That assessment feels particularly fitting for Alicent. Throughout House of the Dragon, much of her life has been dictated by obligations to family, crown, and tradition. Even when she rises to positions of power, her choices are often constrained by the expectations placed upon her.
Sid, by contrast, operates with a level of personal agency that Alicent rarely experiences. It’s that independence, more than status or influence, that Cooke believes her Westerosi character would want for herself.
Read next: House of the Dragon season 4 is set to begin filming next spring, Olivia Cooke reveals
