House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal has opened up about the moment the team realized they had found their perfect young Rhaenyra Targaryen; and it happened almost instantly. In a recent interview with Variety, Condal revealed how Milly Alcock, then just 20 years old, won the iconic role during her very first meeting with the creative team.
Quick read:
- Ryan Condal and the casting team knew Milly Alcock was perfect for young Rhaenyra
- Condal praised Alcock’s “dimensional quality,”
- He appreciates Milly’s range as an actor
Image: HBO
The instant connection
Condal described the experience of discovering Alcock with genuine admiration:
“People talk about the ‘it’ factor and things like that — but she just has this dimensional quality that is not something that you can learn as an actor. There’s just a natural grace and charisma.”
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He emphasized how clear the decision was from the very beginning:
“We just knew in the first meeting with her that this is our Rhaenyra.”
A natural fit for the role
According to Condal, Alcock brought depth and presence that perfectly matched the complex young version of Rhaenyra, a character who is fiery, ambitious, rebellious, and vulnerable all at once. Her natural charisma and emotional range made her stand out immediately among other candidates.
Milly Alcock’s performance in season 1 as young Rhaenyra was widely praised by fans and critics alike. Her portrayal helped set the tone for the entire series, especially in the early episodes that explored Rhaenyra’s relationships with her father Viserys, her uncle Daemon, and Alicent Hightower.
Lasting impact
Even after the time jump to Emma D’Arcy’s adult Rhaenyra, Milly Alcock’s version of the character remains a fan favourite. Her breakout role in House of the Dragon launched her career into the spotlight, leading to major projects like her upcoming role as Supergirl.
Ryan Condal’s comments serve as a testament to how crucial that first meeting was in shaping one of the most important characters in the Game of Thrones universe.
With House of the Dragon Season 3 premiering on June 21, 2026, fans continue to celebrate both Milly Alcock’s and Emma D’Arcy’s contributions to bringing Rhaenyra Targaryen to life across different stages of her journey.
