Interview
Emma D’Arcy calls Daemon and Rhaenyra’s erotic energy dangerous: “It’s bloodthirsty. It’s about power.”
There’s a lot more going on between Daemon and Rhaenyra than bad romance, Emma D’Arcy details

Daemon and Rhaenyra maintain one of the most complex relationships in House of the Dragon. After a season-long build-up, the pair finally defied all conventions and came together. However, maintaining their love and affection has proven to be a challenge unlike any they faced on the battlefield. The real test of their bond will come in Season 3.
Quick details:
- Daemon and Rhaenyra share a volatile relationship.
- Emma D’Arcy talks about power dynamics between them.
- D’Arcy reflects on Rhaenyra’s change in Season 2.
Emma D’Arcy reflects on Rhaenyra’s trust in Daemon
Emma D’Arcy’s portrayal of Rhaenyra Targaryen has been appreciated far and wide. They were nominated for a Golden Globe twice, a testament to their unrelenting talent. In a recent interview with Collider, D’Arcy touched upon Rhaenyra and Daemon’s relationship, showing off their understanding of the character:
“My feeling is it’s the latter. It’s funny, within the course of the series, that scene, again, was a real joy to shoot where he reaffirms his commitment to her. You sort of see this moment of reunification in both of them. Something that I realized in the second series was that their relationship only functions when they are in positions of power and confidence. Their erotic energy is dangerous. It’s bloodthirsty. It’s about power.

Image: HBO
If they’re in a state of need or weakness, their relationship doesn’t work. They can’t speak to each other. They can’t reveal that stuff. I suppose what strikes me is as much as that scene was super exciting to shoot, there’s surely way more to discuss. There’s a lot more to say.”
Rhaenyra has become less compromising now
After the death of Lucerys in House of the Dragon Season 1, Rhaenyra goes through a massive change. D’Arcy recounts how the trauma translates into all of her relationships,
“I think Rhaenyra is quite a changed character by the end of the second series. I think her relationship to her name, to her Targaryen history, to her faith even, has shifted in a massive way. She’s less compromising now. The truth is, I wait in anticipation to find out what they’ve written, but I can’t imagine that, given all of the events that transpired in the second series, she wouldn’t need to keep him on a short leash.”
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