House of the Dragon’s Ewan Mitchell wants to find Aemond’s breaking point

As an actor who has played characters from all walks of life, I find Aemond Targaryen to be one of the most intriguing and complex. His calm demeanor amidst chaos, his ambition, and his mysterious past are traits that resonate with me on a deeper level.

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the end of season 2 of House of the Dragon.]

In the season finale of House of the Dragon, no one seems content. Rhaenyra and Alicent have formed an uneasy truce; Aegon is fleeing with Larys, while Daemon and Criston are gearing up for a confrontation. Otto finds himself imprisoned somewhere. The character Aemond, however, has experienced an unprecedented rise and fall this season. He ascended from prince to regent, severely injured his brother, and with the aid of Vhagar, claimed two dragons. But he was caught off guard by dragonseed, burned a town in rage, and received a reprimand from his sister.

Ewan Mitchell, the actor, expresses his enthusiasm about portraying such large, intense emotional shifts in his character Aemond, which he’s always found particularly exciting.

Mitchell expressed earlier this season that “Aemond seems to project an image greater than himself.” He drew inspiration from iconic horror movie characters of the 80’s who were captivating without uttering a single word. They moved so deliberately in the environments they occupied, creating a sense of dread and inevitability. In essence, when someone believes as deeply as Aemond does, it can be quite terrifying.

In essence, although nothing in the final events directly weakens his position, Aemond has always had a tender side beneath his hard-edged persona. Contrary to his status as one of the most influential figures in Westeros, Aemond carries a sense of vulnerability.

As the final episode of season 2 drew near, Mitchell discussed with TopMob the vulnerable spots on Aemond’s body, his current situation at the end of season 2, and his anticipations for season 3 – whether Helaena (Phia Saban) was correct about Aemond or not.

[Ed. note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.]

TopMob: You’ve mentioned earlier the sources that inspired your portrayal of Aemond in season 2 – those include Prometheus, Heat, Halloween, and Lawrence of Arabia. I’m intrigued to know what aspects you were aiming to capture as you delved into research for the role of Aemond.

Ewan Mitchell describes characters who hold immense power and view it as a tool to accomplish tasks that others cannot. This is reminiscent of the character in “Lawrence of Arabia,” where a quote from Lawrence, “The trick, William Potter, is not minding that it hurts” resonates. The portrayal of self-control in the face of pain mirrors Aemond’s character, who knows he can be loved but also understands that he can accomplish more by being feared and doing what is necessary, even if it involves a certain amount of evil. Furthermore, Mitchell seeks characters who are initially disadvantaged, eventually rising to become the central figure in their story, overcoming obstacles and becoming stronger despite setbacks. These types of characters are the focus of his interest.

As a gamer, did I find myself energized by their performances – be it their philosophies, physicalities, or all of the above? Absolutely!

I usually manage to catch a movie daily, though there have been instances where my work commitments demand two films in a day due to scheduling conflicts. However, creativity can strike at any moment, so I’m always on the lookout for it. For example, I recently watched M. Night Shyamalan’s film “Split”, and it subtly suggests that those who are broken might be more advanced in some way.

Since Aemond lost his eye, it has driven him to grow and transform into a formidable force. I was recently discussing the upcoming season with a reporter, who wore a Rutger Hauer shirt from Blade Runner – an inspiration that could potentially influence my character development too. Essentially, I’m keeping an open mind, ready to embrace any new ideas or influences.

Are there varying factors shaping Aemond’s life at different stages, perhaps distinct influences such as Alicent compared to Helaena, or maybe unique relationships instead?

Absolutely! In “The Red Sowing,” growing the dragonseeds has undoubtedly heightened Aemond’s desperation heading into episode 8. The cool, composed character we’ve come to know from earlier episodes seems to be slipping away. It’s intriguing to delve into this fractured version of Aemond, where the frightened boy within him resurfaces, a side he’s been keeping hidden for years under a veil of composure.

As a gamer, I’m utterly captivated by Phia’s acting in that scene – it’s downright chilling! When he approaches her with his plea to ride on dragonback alongside him, seize Harrenhal, and dismantle Daemon’s power in the Riverlands, only for her to rebuff him so decisively… It leaves Aemond feeling insignificant, yet she exudes such a sense of dominance in that moment, it’s truly awe-inspiring!

In my experience, some relationships are so deeply ingrained that they seem almost intuitive, even when the two individuals rarely spend time together. I’ve encountered a few such connections where one person is always able to understand and challenge the other effortlessly. This dynamic is strikingly evident in their interactions, as if they were destined for this role. In the case you mentioned, it appears that she serves as his conscience, swiftly bringing him back on track whenever he strays from the path. And remarkably, he seems to accept her guidance without argument or hesitation. This silent understanding between them is a testament to their long-standing bond and shared history.

1) Her words sliced through him deeply. He tends to envision the course and setting of events. However, she often contradicts him, which slightly shatters his composure. (Paraphrased)

In the series that explores individuals’ pursuit of power, their connection to it, and its duality as something that can be controlled and corrupted, how would you describe Aemond’s role in this context? What are his thoughts and attitudes towards power?

As a devoted fan, I ponder over Aemond’s character, questioning if he’s innately evil or if power simply corrupted him. Was his upbringing by Otto Hightower and his mother a significant factor, or was it the influence of the Red Keep that molded him into who he is? In other words, was it his nurture or his nature that shaped Aemond’s destiny?

From my perspective, Aemond has always been driven by the desire for power and recognition as a warrior throughout the series. Initially, he was deeply involved in the war, but when he seized power and became prince regent, it was like a switch flipped. Suddenly, everyone around him seemed to exist only for his benefit – those who could serve him were welcome, while others found themselves discarded.

Is his drive for power more about the insecure child within who yearns for safety, respect, and invulnerability, or does it stem from a conviction that he can excel beyond everyone else?

At the council gathering, it’s as if everyone else is unraveling, voices escalating, and tempers flaring. However, there’s a calm amidst the storm, and that’s none other than Aemond. He’s not swayed by the chaos; instead, he remains composed, his cool demeanor a stark contrast to the rest. When the right moment strikes, he takes action with precision.

As a historian who has spent years delving into the annals of the Seven Kingdoms, I can confidently say that the prospect of ruling such a vast and complex realm as Westeros is not for the faint-hearted. The burden of power, especially when wielded by a dragon-rider, is immense and often overwhelming. This young man, with his colossal, fearsome, ancient dragon, finds himself in an enviable position, yet one fraught with challenges and expectations.

Let me share how I crafted his character’s arc throughout the season, drawing inspiration from…

In another way of saying this, we might express: Aemond seems to have an incredible resilience, as I don’t believe he has reached his breaking point yet. It’s intriguing; perhaps it was during the moment when Helaena challenged everything he believed his life would become and the direction it would take. I suspect that Aemond has always viewed himself as the master of his own journey and destiny. However, when Helaena reveals this information, it could potentially turn him into an adversary. Yet, it might also make Helaena an incredibly useful ally. If one can utilize Helaena’s foresight and power, it would be possible to perceive a strike before it occurs.

As a fervent fan, I’m curious to delve deeper into Aemond’s story: At what point will he ultimately snap? We’ve witnessed his actions up until now, and his act of betrayal against his brother in season 2 was a chilling indication of his transformation. The question arises, was this sacrifice worth it for him, and at what cost did he pay in that pivotal moment?

What are your thoughts on his final position this season? It seems as though a successful season sets him up perfectly for her to burst his bubble at the end.

Absolutely, that’s an insightful perspective. He needs to ponder over this new understanding and that revelation. However, given Aemond’s restless nature, he won’t stay put for long; he’ll be riding his dragon instead. And let’s not forget, he often gets into mischief. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this unfolds in season 3.

It seems to me that he’ll need to transform once more. Just like when he lost his eye as a child, it provided him with the motivation to metamorphose into something completely different. Following this revelation at the end of season 2, he may have to adapt again, or else risk shattering once more.

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2024-08-08 17:19