Emma D’Arcy recalls the advice Emilia Clarke gave them about play a Targaryen

Emma D'Arcy recalls the advice Emilia Clarke gave them about play a Targaryen

As a seasoned movie buff with a keen eye for the intricacies of the entertainment industry, I must say that Emma D’Arcy’s journey into the world of “House of the Dragon” is a fascinating tale of courage and self-discovery. Being a deeply introverted person, D’Arcy’s initial apprehension about losing anonymity in such a high-profile series was entirely understandable. Yet, their fear of failing in front of a large audience added another layer of complexity to their anticipation.

At present, we find ourselves in a gap between seasons of HBO’s prequel show to Game of Thrones, titled House of the Dragon. This series features Emma D’Arcy portraying Rhaenyra Targaryen, a queen who is currently in exile but aspires to reclaim her rightful position on the Iron Throne. The next phase of this story will unfold at a later date. In the interim, D’Arcy has opened up about their initial feelings and apprehensions when they landed the role, as well as the challenges associated with joining such a highly anticipated production, during an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

D’Arcy explained that the main disadvantage they felt was the loss of anonymity, as they are naturally quite introverted. Given the massive success of “Game of Thrones,” it’s not surprising that the cast members became something akin to rock stars. However, D’Arcy had a deeper concern: “I wasn’t sure if I could handle this,” they reflected. “Could I pull this off? And if I couldn’t, I would discover my inability alongside many others at the same time. That seemed like a challenging setting for failure.

Happily, it worked out, D’Arcy is currently basking in the recognition of getting a Golden Globe nomination, the second they’ve gotten for their work as Rhaenyra. It’s safe to say that people have accepted them in the role. Now all D’Arcy has to deal with is their final fear: giving interviews on podcasts like Happy Sad Confused: “I worried about this sort of stuff, about the having-to-be-yourself bit,” they said. “I’ve always felt a lot more comfortable as other people. I think that’s a kind of interesting paradox about the requirements of the contemporary actor. So many of us have unhealthily sort of run away for from our own discomfort by playing other people and now we’re brought out to present ourselves.”

Emma D'Arcy recalls the advice Emilia Clarke gave them about play a Targaryen

Emilia Clarke was “so generous” to Emma D’Arcy ahead of House of the Dragon

Despite initial apprehensions about “House of the Dragon”, D’Arcy found solace in a valuable ally: Emilia Clarke, who portrayed Queen Daenerys Targaryen, a descendant of Rhaenyra, on “Game of Thrones”. The two met prior to the event for a dinner where Clarke imparted her vast knowledge.

D’Arcy recalled how generous she was. The evening was truly lovely, and her openness stood out. She was straightforward and honest, offering advice that was both profound and practical. For instance, she suggested decorating one’s trailer as a personal space, or discussing the challenges of wearing a wig daily. We discussed these practical matters, such as the impact on one’s scalp. I consider myself lucky because our experience, while not as intense as Emilia’s, was still like a mini trial by fire. The show has a rich history that can make you feel like an apprehensive guest at times, but now I feel like I’ve earned my resident status. It wasn’t until after the second series ended that I felt more secure in this role, as if I truly belonged.

D’Arcy initially portrayed Rhaenyra in the first half of House of the Dragon, handing over the role to Milly Alcock following the fifth episode as the series leaped forward in time. However, during the second season, D’Arcy was present throughout, which could explain their current sense of comfort.

We’ll have to be patient before we see Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra again in “House of the Dragon,” as production for season 3 won’t begin until March 2025 at the earliest, which indicates new episodes might not air on HBO and Max until 2026. In the interim, HBO plans to launch a fresh “Game of Thrones” prequel series titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” in the latter part of next year.

2024-12-11 23:41