“There was no option/backup contender”: House of the Dragon Risked it All for 1 Actor Who Has Almost Single Handedly Saved the Show from Going Stale
- HBO’s 'House of the Dragon' took a bold step by casting Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen.
- The showrunners spotted Smith’s talent, all thanks to his standout performance in 'The Crown.'
- Smith was drawn to Daemon's complex character and dramatic depth, despite his initial hesitation.
In the high-stakes world of TV casting, finding the perfect actor can make or break a show. When it comes to picking the right star, TV executives often have to gamble big, hoping their choice won’t be a flop but rather a scene-stealer!
Enter House of the Dragon, HBO’s ambitious prequel to the legendary Game of Thrones. When it came to casting the elusive and brooding Daemon Targaryen, the show’s producers didn’t just dip their toes—they jumped in headfirst with one name in mind: Matt Smith.
While the show was gearing up to make its big debut, there was no Plan B—Smith was the only option. Why, you ask? Well, it’s because Smith has this amazing talent for transforming into all sorts of complex characters, just like Daemon himself. The showrunners weren’t about to roll the dice on anyone else.
Matt Smith Was the Only Choice for Daemon Targaryen
When House of the Dragon set out to find the perfect actor for the enigmatic Daemon Targaryen, Matt Smith wasn’t just a leading contender—he was the sole pick.
The show’s creators, Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal, quickly honed in on Smith, with Sapochnik recalling the process on The Hollywood Reporter:
We were like: ‘Matt Smith would be interesting.’ Then it was like, ‘We should come up with some names — Matt Smith would be interesting.’ Then later it was, ‘Well, we should probably go to Matt Smith at this point.’
Condal, a big fan of The Crown, couldn’t get enough of Smith’s performance as Prince Philip. He thought Smith’s portrayal was so on-point that it revealed a lot about his acting chops.
Critics and fans have since lauded Smith’s portrayal of Prince Philip, making him a big reason for the show’s early success. Even though Smith had his doubts about stepping into the royal shoes for the prequel, he eventually gave it a go. When it comes to the allure of Daemon Targaryen, let’s be honest: it’s all thanks to the actor playing him—Matt Smith.
Daemon is no saint—he’s resentful, and has a knack for stirring up family drama. But Smith’s charisma is so electric, it’s impossible not to cheer for him. It just goes to show that sometimes, it’s not just the character but the actor’s magnetic presence that wins us over. The 41-year-old got that rare talent for turning a rebellious troublemaker into someone you can’t help but root for!
Matt Smith’s Journey to Joining House of the Dragon
When Matt Smith was first approached about the role in House of the Dragon, he was initially skeptical (as what he told THR). Imagine him in a car park, where his agent dropped the news about a new show set in the Game of Thrones universe. He was like:
‘Ohhh. I don’t know. It’s a tough one, isn’t it? It’s a tough one to follow. Haven’t we seen this before?’ But then [the offer] sort of didn’t go away.
So, why did the British star decide to jump on this project? Well, it turns out he was pretty excited to learn that Paddy Considine was also joining the cast as King Viserys. Smith is a huge fan of Considine’s work, and the chance to team up with him was too good to pass up.
On top of everything else, he was totally hooked on Daemon Targaryen. Daemon’s dramatic family feuds and his combo of mystery and sheer ruthlessness had him totally spellbound.
When the Northampton native snagged his role in House of the Dragon, you could practically see the sparkles in his eyes. Despite Daemon’s darker side, he was sure that Daemon is the hero of his own epic tale. With such a great part, it’s no wonder Smith is blazing a trail as one of the standout stars of the show.
House of The Dragon is available to watch on HBO!
