“It was a big ten-pager”: Olivia Cooke reveals Rhaenyra and Alicent’s meeting took three days to film

Actors Emma D’Archy (Rhaenyra) and Olivia Cooke (Alicent) discuss their approach to portraying the complex and evolving relationship between their characters in the hit HBO series House of The Dragon season 2. They delve into the nuances of Rhaenyra and Alicent’s meeting, a pivotal moment that sets the tone for their complicated dynamic. Rhaenyra and Alicent’s relationship is a complex web of friendship and rivalry, with moments of tenderness and understanding juxtaposed with episodes of bitter competition and resentment.

Exploring the Emotional Complexity of Rhaenyra and Alicent’s Relationship

D’Arcy and Cooke spent three days capturing the essence of Rhaenyra and Alicent’s interaction, delving into the emotional depth and subtlety within the script. Olivia Cooke notes that they sought to find the “music within the scene,” uncovering moments of stillness and yearning for connection. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, praising Emma D’Archy for their seamless partnership in bringing this intricate scene to life. Olivia Cooke mentions in a recent interview with GQ,

“It sort of just evolved. We shot it over three days, I think. It was sort of just trying to find the music within the scene—it was a big ten-pager. And just trying to find the moments of stillness, but also this yearning for connection, and then how it twists on its head with the ultimatum.

I was just imploring them to, if they feel that there’s something missing, please just direct me, because they’re the one that is reacting off what I’m doing. So I just wanted them to have an extra eye on the scene, and if there’s a beat that I’m not picking up, to grab it. They said the same back, even though I couldn’t ever give Emma notes, because they’re so amazing.”

Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

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A Bittersweet Reunion

As the season comes full circle, Emma D’Arcy (Rhaenyra) and Olivia Cooke (Alicent) reflect on the emotional journey of their characters. Amidst the grief and loss that has unfolded, the actresses aimed to capture the palpable longing for a lost friendship and the ache of their fractured relationship. With a focus on conveying the longing and grief that has come to define their relationship, the actresses delivered a poignant performance that lingers with the audience.

“And also like, the pressure of knowing that this was the finale, and wanting it to feel as full-bodied and satisfying as possible, for the meeting of these two women who have been adrift from each other all season. It felt like it needed to culminate to something, and then there also just needed to be this yearning for one another—within all of that, yearning for the relationship we once had. After all this has happened, children have been lost, but still, the grief of the loss of their friendship and the loss of each other needed to be really palpable.”

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