‘House of the Dragon’ Star Lauds the Show For Doing One “revolutionary” Thing That Even George R.R. Martin’s Super Successful Books Failed to Achieve
Created by George R.R. Martin and Ryan Condal, HBO’s popular and successful fantasy drama series, House of the Dragon, is all set to return for season two. The prequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, is based on Martin’s 2018 book Fire & Blood, set about 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The ensemble cast includes Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Olivia Cooke, and more.
The audience welcomed the first season of the show with an open heart, and it received positive responses from critics. Special praise was added for character development, writing, visual effects, and the background score of the show. As the cast prepares for the season two premiere, one of the members shared their views on the show’s casting.
House of the Dragon actor applauds the revolutionary casting of the show
Ahead of the world premiere on June 16th, 2024, the cast of George R.R. Martin‘s House of the Dragon walked the red carpet at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City for the premiere of season two. Speaking to the Associated Press, actor Steve Toussaint, who plays Lord Corlys Velaryon on the show, applauded the makers for the casting of the show. He said,
For a show like this, a very big show to say, there are all kinds of voices and all kinds of people in this world. Is what you want to say revolutionary? Until today, I get messages on Instagram and stuff like people saying thank you so much for being there. It’s so important for us to see somebody playing in a position of power as well as opposed to, I don’t know, a slave or whatever representing. So I think it’s vital for anybody who is underrepresented.
According to reports by CNN, the actor shared that the initial reaction he received when he was announced as the cast member of the show back in 2022 has drowned in praise. In the book, the members of House Velaryon are described as White, but in House of the Dragon, the family members are portrayed by Black actors.
Back in 2022, speaking to THR, Toussaint was asked about playing one of the lead characters on the show, to which he explained that when he got the part, he thought of it like any other part. He added that he didn’t realize that it was a big deal until he was racially abused on social media. The actor explained that when the casting was announced, someone put up a picture of the impression of The Sea Snake from the book opposite his picture and used the N-word. However, he said that he could not allow all of it to bother him.
Tom Glynn-Carney talks about King Aegon’s ‘unexpected’ ascent to the Iron Throne
At the premiere of House of the Dragon season two, actor Tom Gylnn-Carney, who plays King Aegon, admitted that his character was as surprised as the audience when he was given the Iron Throne. He said via People,
He’s floundering. But also, there is a guise of his that he’s trying to wear well. He’s got a bit of a spring in his step. He’s also walking two inches taller than he would do, I think. For a start anyway.
The actor continued that Aegon is finding all of this exciting, and it’s the first time the audience has seen him with purpose, which he never had before. Carney added that for the first time, Aegon has a reason to get out of bed, and he’s a family man now.
Aegon’s brother, Prince Aemond Targaryen, portrayed by Ewan Mitchell, also shared at the premiere about the most wanted man in the realm. He shared that, despite being the second born, Aemond always wished to be treated as the firstborn, but at the end of the day, he knows he’s the spare.
He’s the one who goes out and fights the war. He feels Aegon lacks the perseverance to be king. He was the one who squandered his inheritance, and Aemond was training with Criston Cole in the Red Keep yard.
Mitchell noted that Aemond and Aegon are very different, but believes they both need each other.
Season 2 of House of the Dragon starring Matt Smith , and Emma D’Arcy, premieres on HBO on June 16th, 2024.
