Milly Alcock, who portrayed the young Rhaenyra Targaryen in the acclaimed Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon, faced a challenging start to her role. The Australian actress disclosed during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show that just two days into filming, someone in a high-ranking position suggested she needed acting coaching. "On my second day on House of the Dragon, one of the, I’m not gonna say who, but someone very high up, pulled me aside and was like, 'Um, we’re gonna get you an acting coach,'" Alcock shared, admitting she was "mortified" by the experience.
Despite this early setback, Alcock humorously reflected on the incident, saying it confirmed her self-doubt. "It just confirmed everything that I’ve kind of known to be true, [which] is that I’m not very good at my job," she quipped. "You know what I mean! I was like, 'I can’t do this. This is terrible. This is a big mistake.'" Her lighthearted take on the situation showcased her resilience and ability to find humor amidst professional challenges.
Alcock's portrayal of Rhaenyra, the daughter and heir of King Viserys I Targaryen, earned her critical acclaim. She appeared as a series regular in Season 1 and made a guest appearance in Season 2, which chronicles the decline of House Targaryen. Emma D’Arcy takes over the role of the adult Rhaenyra, who eventually ascends to the throne.
Milly Alcock's performance helped House of the Dragon achieve significant success, premiering in August 2022, three years after the final episode of the original Game of Thrones series. The show was swiftly renewed for a second season shortly after its debut and secured a Season 3 renewal in June 2024, even before Season 2 aired. Its accolades include a Golden Globe win for Best Television Series — Drama.
Looking ahead, Alcock is set to take on the role of Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in the upcoming Superman movie and the subsequent Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. As for Season 3 of House of the Dragon, while it is confirmed to be in production, an official release date has yet to be announced.
