House of the Dragon: Olivia Cooke offers insight into Alicent Hightower

After the success of HBO’s Game of Thrones, several additional spin-offs related to the works of George R. R. Martin were almost immediately greenlit, including the prequel series, House of the Dragon, which is currently in production In it, Ready Player One actress Olivia Cooke will play Queen Alicent Hightower, who marries into House Targaryen and plays a pivotal role in the family conflict that follows.

It’s a battle of who is going to land on the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms, and as Collider explains, Queen Hightower wants it for her sons, while her stepdaughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, (Emma D’Arcy) wants it for herself. Fans can only imagine the circumstances that will follow these events.

In an interview with Collider about her upcoming legal thriller Naked Singularity, Cooke also discussed her role in the highly anticipated Thrones prequel.

While House of the Dragon is currently back in production after COVID-related issues caused a shutdown, Cooke kept many details of its story secret, stating that she doesn’t know if she, “can say anything without really giving it away”

She however did say how her character Alicent is a very complex individual and she believes that people“are gonna want to see the worst in her.”

Similar to the original Game of Thrones, this prequel will feature many complex characters, especially when it comes to morals and the battle between right and wrong. It shows what power can do to these individuals.

The series takes place a century before the original Game of Thrones and the cast are able to expand on what was previously seen with audiences for years.

"“It does help that the story is of a hundred years prior,” Cooke said.” We’re in the world of Game of Thrones, but you can also put yourself in a different headspace as well and know that, for an actor, you don’t have to necessarily follow on from what anyone else is doing. But at the same time, yeah, it’s utterly bizarre… looking down and just being like, ‘What am I wearing? What am I doing? This is mad.'”"

Even though the original Game of Thrones had been around for many years at this point, House of the Dragon is still a brand new experience for a new cast entering the world of ice and fire.

For fans who are curious about the visual aspect of the series, Cooke describes “gorgeous” sets that have been created and praises the intricate details that go into the series’ costumes.

“Down to the tiny prop that you hold in your hands, there’s just so much thought that goes into it and so much history as well,” she told Collider.

She makes sure to give appreciation to the many people behind the scenes who bring the production to life, saying that, “The crew is a hundred strong. The artistry involved is mind-blowing.”

The anticipation of a new series, especially one that is a spin-off of one of the most successful of all time, is bound to keep audiences enthusiastic about what is to come next.

“It’s amazing to work on a film, a TV show, or anything where everyone is just so passionate about it.”

House of the Dragon is set to premiere on HBO Max in 2022.