Milly Alcock, known for her portrayal of 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 revealed on The Tonight Show that on just her second day on set, a high-ranking individual suggested she undergo 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 felt "mortified" by the experience.
Despite the initial setback, Alcock humorously reflected on the incident during her appearance, suggesting it grounded her. "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, adding, "You know what I mean! I was like, 'I can't do this. This is terrible. This is a big mistake.'" Her self-deprecating humor endeared her to fans and showcased her resilience.
Alcock's portrayal of Rhaenyra, the daughter and heir of King Viserys I Targaryen, earned her a Critics Choice award nomination. She appeared as a series regular in Season 1 and as a guest star in Season 2 of House of the Dragon, which chronicles the decline of the Targaryen dynasty. Emma D'Arcy takes over the role of the adult Rhaenyra, who ascends to become Queen.
Milly Alcock's performance in House of the Dragon has not only won her critical acclaim but also opened doors to other high-profile roles. She is slated to play Kara Zor-El / Supergirl in the upcoming Superman film this summer and in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow next year.
House of the Dragon premiered in August 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the original Game of Thrones series. The show quickly garnered a second season renewal just days after its debut and secured a Season 3 renewal in June 2024, before the premiere of Season 2. Its success was further highlighted by winning the Golden Globe for Best Television Series — Drama.
While Season 3 of House of the Dragon is confirmed, an official release date has yet to be announced, keeping fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Targaryen saga.
