“People didn’t see that coming”: Phia Saban on Helaena’s unexpected twist in House of the Dragon Season 2 finale

In the world of House of the Dragon, Queen Helaena Targaryen has long been underestimated by those around her. However, her subtle yet powerful nature has finally been revealed, showcasing her as a formidable player in the battle for the Iron Throne. Phia Saban’s portrayal of Helaena has masterfully brought to life the soft-spoken yet prophetic queen, whose mystical abilities have been hiding in plain sight. The show has expanded on Helaena’s character, giving her more agency, depth, and significance in the story. Her prophetic abilities and their impact on the plot are more pronounced in the show than in the book.

Helaena is a mystical character

The season 2 finale confirmed Helaena’s status as a dragon dreamer, possessing rare prophetic visions. She appeared in a vision to Daemon, humbling his ego and reminding him of his place, while also confronting Aemond about his attempt on Aegon’s life. This significant departure from George R.R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood, marks a new direction for Helaena’s character.

Phia Saban, the actress who plays Helaena, expressed her excitement about charting new territory for the character, as Helaena being a dragon dreamer is not present in the book. Phia Saban in an interview with Entertainment Weekly said,

“It’s really fun. I know that people feel so passionately and lovingly towards the original story, but I think that me, as a fan of things, I love a certain level of loyalty. Then I love the idea that I can be surprised or something could be subverted.”

Credit: HBO

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Phia Saban on Helaena’s unexpected twist

Phia Saban finds it enjoyable to deviate from the original story and surprise the audience, as it shows respect for their intelligence. She believes that loyalty to the source material is important, but also values the opportunity to subvert expectations and explore new possibilities. She acknowledged that, as a fan herself, she appreciates when storytellers take creative risks and challenge her assumptions.

By introducing Helaena’s dragon dreamer abilities, the show has successfully surprised viewers and added depth to the character, making Saban’s portrayal even more compelling.

“It more flatters the audience’s intelligence when you get to surprise them and subvert things, so I like the idea that people didn’t see that coming for Helaena. Obviously, I can’t watch the show as an impartial person.”

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