Emma D’Arcy has opened up about one of the most intriguing new dynamics in House of the Dragon Season 3, the complex relationship between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Mysaria.
In a new interview with Los Angeles Times, D’Arcy called their bond the “hardest to describe” of all Rhaenyra’s relationships.
Quick read:
- Rhaenyra’s actual first romantic relationship is with Mysaria not Daemon says Emma
- Mysaria helps Rhaenyra see herself in a completely new way
- She feels seen with Mysaria
From suspicion to passion
The relationship between the two women evolved significantly in Season 2 after Mysaria became one of Rhaenyra’s key allies. D’Arcy explained how their connection began:
“I love that they start off actually in a place of conflict [and] deeply suspicious of one another.”
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Both characters, according to D’Arcy, have learned to skillfully navigate male-dominated power structures. This shared understanding becomes the foundation for something deeper. The attraction, they say, comes from being truly seen in a new way:
“The attraction for Rhaenyra is a matter of being seen in a way that’s completely new.”
Image: HBO
A different kind of romance
D’Arcy emphasized that Mysaria represents something entirely different for Rhaenyra compared to her relationship with Daemon:
“Mysaria is maybe the first truly romantic connection.”
While Rhaenyra and Daemon’s bond is rooted in shared power, ambition, and domination, the connection with Mysaria feels more like opposites attracting.
“Mysaria offers a window into a type of hardship that opens Rhaenyra’s eyes to a portion of experience to which she’s had no access.”
This contrast brings a fresh emotional layer to Rhaenyra’s journey, exposing her to perspectives and vulnerabilities she has never encountered before.
As Season 3 continues exploring Rhaenyra’s evolution as a leader and a person, her relationship with Mysaria appears set to play a significant emotional and political role. With Daemon back to serve Rhaenyra, it adds complexity to her character, showing a side that seeks genuine connection amid the brutality of the Dance of the Dragons.
