Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra) talks about the “psychological” wound that triggered the events of House of the Dragon

The first season of House of the Dragon did a fantastic job of distilling all the things we have come to love about the Game of Thrones universe. Without a doubt, the dragons stole the show, but so did the gore and treachery, as well as the emotions of love, passion, desire, sadness, and terror. The second season of the Targaryen drama is on the way, and let’s look back at the issues that are at the core of House of the Dragon.

Alicent and Rhaenyra’s relationship underlines House of the Dragon

In an interview with ScreenRant, D’Arcy, who plays adult Rhaenyra, talked about how the on-screen former friends basically caused a civil war, “I think it’s important because if there’s not a relationship, there is no wound, narratively speaking.

I think something that you and I—and Miguel Sapochnik, one of our co-show runners and co-creators—have spoken about a lot is that he’s deeply interested in making sure that this is a psychologically-motivated narrative, and checking that we can track back from events that happen towards the end of the series through to experiences in childhood.”

Their friendship provides better drama

Alicent and Rhaenyra’s relationship is the focal point of House of the Dragon, and it goes through a drastic change. D’Arcy further explained, “I think that’s why. It sort of just makes for better drama that they start in a place that’s so intimate. Added to which, it’s the thing that has enabled Ryan and Miguel to build a series around two women. That’s the other reason, because that’s the heart of the construction of House of the Dragon.”

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