Interview

Phia and Tom had to petition for more Helaena and Aegon scenes in House of the Dragon Season 2

The actors had to push for more screentime for Aegon and Helaena.

Published

6 months ago

June 27, 2024

Ved Prabhudesai

Credits: Max

House of the Dragon Season 2 showcases the tragic relationship between Aegon and Helaena Targaryen. In an interview with IndieWire, showrunner Ryan Condal and actors Tom Glynn-Carney and Phia Saban discussed it.

Aegon and Helaena’s dynamic is burdened with grief, worsened by their inability to provide solace to one another. However, the interview reveals that Saban and Glynn Carney had to petition for a scene featuring the two of them.

Our Apps

Phia and Tom pushed for more Aegon and Helaena scenes

Credits: Max

Aegon and Helaena initially only had one scene together in Episode 202, where they passed each other on the steps before a funeral. This moment, though brief, was very important, and the actors, Tom Glynn-Carney and Phia Saban had to advocate tirelessly to keep it.

Stream House of the Dragon on Max | Save up to 20%

Stream House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones and more HBO Original series on Max. Sign up and save up to 20% with an annual plan.

Subscribe Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Later, another scene was added in Episode 1, where Aegon asks Helaena where to find Jaehaerys. These are their only scenes together. Tom Glynn-Carney said:

“Phia and I were petitioning for a long time to have more interaction. It’s still pretty minimal, but what we what we did get, we tried to make it the most of. I feel like they’re two people who are on the opposite ends of the spectrum, whatever that spectrum is. They have been forced together — they’re family, and husband and wife, mother and father to two children — and none of that was their decision, their choice. We have come at it from very different angles and tried to find some kind of connection, some sort of electricity that goes between each other.”

“I really enjoy any scene that we have together. She’s very unpredictable. She’s a dangerous actor in the best possible way, and I love working with people like that.”

The Making of HBO's House of the Dragon Warner Bros. Shop

Discover the filmmaking secrets behind HBO's House of the Dragon! With fire and blood, House Targaryen ruled Westeros for over 200 years?a legendary reign depicted in HBO's House of the Dragon. Now, fans can embark on an epic behind the scenes journey, with this deluxe coffee table book chronicling the production of the landmark television series. An official collection of concept art, interviews with cast and crew, and stunning unit photography, The Making of HBO's House of the Dragon will be the ultimate account of this hugely anticipated television event.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

If you have any important filming news about House of the Dragon, or if you want to collaborate with us or want to write for us, please drop us a message here.

Related Topics:

Up Next

“I would’ve been totally fine with a massive load of torture,” says Blood actor

Don't Miss

Matt Smith doesn’t think Daemon is responsible for the death of Jaehaerys

Ved Prabhudesai

Ved Prabhudesai is an avid enthusiast of all things pop culture. He has a special interest in the field of animation and art, with a background in Fine Arts and Digital Media Arts. He has begun his first into the field of Entertainment Journalism with Wiki of Thrones, and has been writing for them since 2023. He also has experience working as a screenplay writer, animator and comic book artist. His hobbies include holding discussions and organising events focused around pop culture, dissecting the importance of media in today's world. He began reading A Song Of Ice And Fire shortly before Game of Thrones debuted on HBO. He has followed the series religiously and has spent hours reading Wikis learning about Targaryen history and possible plot points we will see in the Winds of Winter.