“Feelings and s-xy times aren’t really the priority”: ‘House of the Dragon’ Star Sets Fan Expectations Straight after 1 Intimate Scene Takes Viewers By Surprise
- Sonoya Mizuno breaks down the intimate moment between Mysaria and Rhaenyra.
- The actress details her preparation behind a vulnerable scene in Season 2 Episode 6.
- Sonoya Mizuno notes how Lady Mysaria's relationship with Queen Rhaenyra will evolve.
CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SEASON 2 EPISODE 6
Prequel to HBO’s Game of Thrones and the second television series in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire franchise, House of the Dragon is based on the parts of Martin’s novel Fire & Blood. The events on the show, set almost 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, showcase the events that led to the downfall of House Targaryen along with a devastating war of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons.
The ensemble cast of the show includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Sonoya Mizuno, Fabien Frankel, and more. The show has received positive responses from critics and the audience for its visual effects, background score, writing, character development, and performances by the actors. The ongoing second season of House of the Dragon’s latest episode featured an unexpected intimate scene, and the star reveals the details behind the scenes.
Sonoya Mizuno breaks down Mysaria-Rhaenyra’s intimate moment on House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon’s sixth episode from season two ended in a very unexpected moment between Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lady Mysaria, played by Emma D’Arcy and Sonoya Mizuno. In a recent interview with The Wrap, Mizuno revealed the details behind bringing the moment live on screen.
The duo were seen embracing each other after Queen Rhaenyra leaned in for support from Lady Mysaria after the effects of Rook’s Rest, who, in return, assured Rhaenyra that she was meant to be the queen. Lady Mysaria also opens up about her traumatic past to the Queen, and their heated and emotional moment led to a passionate kiss that surprises the audience. Mizuno explained,
It wasn’t scripted as a kiss. I think it was scripted, as there’s just breath between them or something, and then whatever happens is interrupted.
The actress shares that she, along with D’Arcy and show-runner Ryan Condal, had discussions over months to see if everyone was on board. She mentioned that in fact, it was Emma D’Arcy who had suggested including the kiss in the scene, as she noted that D’Arcy felt that after Lady Mysaria had shared her traumatic past with the Queen, she wanted to comfort Mysaria.
Mizuno pointed out that while playing the scene out, it felt very organic for them to go into the kiss. Upon asking how their relationship would change or evolve after the kiss, the actress shared,
What I will say is that there is a huge war brewing, so feelings and sexy times aren’t really the priority.
The actress, however, did mention that, according to her understanding, none of the two women [Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lady Mysaria] had been hugged like that in a long time, and it was the hug—the intimate vulnerability of the hugs that converted into that moment. She mentioned that according to her that moment was a very thrilling for both the characters.
Sonoya Mizuno opens up about her preparation for the vulnerable moment in Episode 6
During the interview, the actress was asked how she crafted her vulnerable moment, hinting that Lady Mysaria opened up about her past to Rhaenyra. She said,
When you’ve been through really horrific things in your deep past, you are able to talk about them, or maybe the only way you are able to talk about them is with a level of subdued emotion. There was definitely that idea of it not feeling in any way manipulative, but there is a statement of fact. This is what happened to me, and this is why I don’t trust people. This is the sort of thing that happens to all sorts of small folks, and this is why they don’t trust people.
Mizuno continued that the moment was not about Mysaria but about Rhaenyra, noting that it was still a rally for her and Mysaria was campaigning for her queen. She touched upon her character sharing history with Daemon Targaryen played by Matt Smith on the show and how that impacts her relationship with Rhaenyra. She explained that they’d kind of discuss it like two women who shared the same ex-boyfriend.
The actress expresses that it’s a nice journey for Mysaria and Rhaenyra to find Daemon as a common ground, and it helps them work together. She also mentioned that it’s very hard to not have feelings for Rhaenyra when asked if Mysaria’s feelings were genuine.
House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max.
