"We did not aspire to imitate 'Game of Thrones'", explains Milly Alcock

• OCS airs this Monday the 4th episode of

  House of the Dragon

  , the spin-off of

  Game of Thrones

  .

• Milly Alcock plays Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen while Fabien Frankel plays Ser Criston Cole.

• The two actors return for

  20 Minutes

  to their respective roles and the vertigo of playing in such a big franchise.

They were propelled to the forefront of the world scene overnight.

While the 4th episode of

, the spin-off of

is broadcast this Monday at 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. on OCS City, Milly Alcock and Fabien Frankel, the interpreters of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole in the series, look back on their first steps in the skin of their characters and their vertigo at appearing in the casting of such a big franchise.

What was your reaction when you learned that you were in the cast of "House of the Dragon"?

They were propelled to the forefront of the world scene overnight.

While the 4th episode of

, the spin-off of

is broadcast this Monday at 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. on OCS City, Milly Alcock and Fabien Frankel, the interpreters of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole in the series, look back on their first steps in the skin of their characters and their vertigo at appearing in the casting of such a big franchise.

What was your reaction when you learned that you were in the cast of "House of the Dragon"?

They were propelled to the forefront of the world scene overnight.

While the 4th episode of

, the spin-off of

is broadcast this Monday at 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. on OCS City, Milly Alcock and Fabien Frankel, the interpreters of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole in the series, look back on their first steps in the skin of their characters and their vertigo at appearing in the casting of such a big franchise.

What was your reaction when you learned that you were in the cast of "House of the Dragon"?

SCO

They were propelled to the forefront of the world scene overnight.

While the 4th episode of

, the spin-off of

is broadcast this Monday at 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. on OCS City, Milly Alcock and Fabien Frankel, the interpreters of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole in the series, look back on their first steps in the skin of their characters and their vertigo at appearing in the casting of such a big franchise.

What was your reaction when you learned that you were in the cast of "House of the Dragon"?

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They were propelled to the forefront of the world scene overnight.

While the 4th episode of

, the spin-off of

is broadcast this Monday at 3 a.m. and 9 p.m. on OCS City, Milly Alcock and Fabien Frankel, the interpreters of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole in the series, look back on their first steps in the skin of their characters and their vertigo at appearing in the casting of such a big franchise.

What was your reaction when you learned that you were in the cast of "House of the Dragon"?

Milly Alcock.

I was dumbfounded!

A little confused too.

Nervous, not reassured, and elated.

Yes, a bit of all that!

Fabien Frankel.

The same !

A lot of frenzy and fears.

You're anxious because you know this is a huge, well-crafted franchise, you hope the show is good and they made the right call putting you in it!

Precisely, how do you escape the pressure linked to such an anticipated spin-off?

MA

We realized early on that we were doing a different show, that we didn't aspire to emulate

.

We invested in who our characters were, what made them tick rather than thinking about the picture as a whole, which will ultimately translate into the world our characters move through.

We didn't have to act like we were in

.

FF

I completely agree.

She said it very well, I can't say it better!

How did you prepare for the role?

FF

I completely agree.

She said it very well, I can't say it better!

How did you prepare for the role?

MA

I watched

that I hadn't seen!

I met Emily Carey [who plays young Alicent Hightower] I just tried to understand my character and why she behaves the way she does.

I worked on the physical aspects, I took on a different accent, for example, I moved to the other side of the world.

There was a lot to do!

FF

Criston Cole is the only Dornish in the series.

So I wanted to know more about Dorne and how they were viewed in King's Landing, especially by wealthier families.

I worked with a coach who explained to me that Dornish people were viewed in the world of

the way the Irish were viewed in England in the 1940s and 1950s…with a kind of disgust.

The Dornish also lived in a world far removed from the one in which everyone else lived.

I tried to imagine what it would be like to be a Dornish knight parachuted into that world

Dorne

FF

Criston Cole is the only Dornish in the series.

So I wanted to know more about Dorne and how they were viewed in King's Landing, especially by wealthier families.

I worked with a coach who explained to me that Dornish people were viewed in the world of

the way the Irish were viewed in England in the 1940s and 1950s…with a kind of disgust.

The Dornish also lived in a world far removed from the one in which everyone else lived.

I tried to imagine what it would be like to be a Dornish knight parachuted into that world

Have you discussed the role with Emma D'Arcy, who plays the older version of Rhaenyra Targaryen?

MA

Strangely no!

We haven't met!

I know we both wanted it.

There were discussions about it, but it didn't happen.

FF

That's weird!

But on the screen, it works well!

In the first sequence of "House of the Dragon", when we see Rhaenyra, we can't help but think of Daenerys, what do they have in common and what are their differences?

MA

I think they are perceived in similar ways by the public because they are both claiming the throne, which the rest of the world does not approve of.

Their journey is to try to legitimize this claim, especially by the men of this world.

But they are fundamentally different in that Daenerys, though of royal descent, was not raised as privileged as Rhaenyra.

Since birth, Rhaenyra has been treated like a princess… Circumstances are similar, but in practice it's quite different.

Ser Criston Cole is a bit reminiscent of Jorah Mormont…

FF

The only thing they really have in common is that Jorah Mormont protects Daenerys like Criston Cole protects Rhaenyra.

As people, they are very different.

There is a darkness in Criston Cole that there is not necessarily in Jorah Mormont, magnificently interpreted by Iain Glen.

Criston Cole is just inherently a little more off the rails and a little more rebellious as the series progresses.

They are also attached to a kind of code of honor…

FF

I agree 100%.

They are also both in love, Jorah from Daenerys, Criston from Rhaenyra.

Both are driven by this love.

"House of Dragon" approaches female characters in a different way than "Game of Thrones", is the series feminist for you?

MA

The series explores the issue and hopefully the principle of equality between men and women.

It's a very interesting series because it explores the patriarchy, the misogyny and also the internalized misogyny of these two women, who find themselves in this position because of decisions made by men.

The series also addresses the theme of female pleasure, which was not at all the case in

.

Sexuality becomes something that both partners can enjoy.

And it's not there for showiness, to draw attention to the screen.

Then yes !

How would you describe the relationship between your two characters?

MA

It is complicated.

They both feel different things about each other, and that's what's so heartbreaking.

This relationship with Criston Cole is fueled by Rhaenyra's rebellious side, due to her position.

FF

Criston is very protective of her.

I think he really cares about his well-being, besides doing his job well.

I think he likes it.

He admires her intelligence and the fact that she is rebellious against this world in which he was not born.

Criston Cole thinks she would be an extraordinary queen, he really does.

MA

I think it's two people who feel seen by each other.

FF

That's exactly it!

They really see each other and a lot of that is in the subtext.

What are the biggest strength and biggest weakness of your respective characters?

MA

The fact that people allow her to do whatever she wants because she is a royal princess.

Sometimes you need to be told no...

FF, laughing, Sounds

like a mom!

MA

His greatest strength is his outlook on the world.

She's a very curious person and I love that about her.

FF

I think his greatest weakness is his love, which is also his greatest strength.

I think this will end up causing him a lot of pain.

Another interesting relationship is the one Rhaenyra has with her uncle Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith.

How did you approach it?

MA

This is something we talked about a lot with Matt Smith.

Due to her age, she doesn't have much experience.

She doesn't really know how she feels.

She doesn't know how to behave with him, their relationship is quite ambiguous, and the door has always been left open.

She idolizes him a bit.

And yes, it's a very interesting relationship, and fun to play and explore.

What is your fondest memory of filming?

FF

We really had a lot of fun.

For such a dark and serious series, the atmosphere was not like that at all on the set, we laughed all the time.

MA

Yes, all the time.

FF

We did all kinds of stupid things.

Everyone was talking about

which was airing at the time.

FF

We did all kinds of stupid things.

Everyone was talking about

which was airing at the time.

MA

We all watched it!

FF We even created a

dance

, we can't wait for the new season!

We love this series so much, how will it end?

MA

We love the HBO succession series so much.

All!

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