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How Rhaenyra is Different From Daenerys, According to House of Dragon Star
House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock recently explained how her character, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, is different from Queen Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) from Game of Thrones. Set approximately 172 years before the birth of Daenerys, the new fantasy-drama series centers on the House Targaryen during the height of their reign within the Seven Kingdoms. Following King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) naming his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the throne, members of the king's council and family conspire against him, leading to the family civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
When Game of Thrones first premiered on HBO in 2011, audiences were introduced to the silver-haired dragon-riding Targaryen family through Daenerys and her arrogant brother Viserys (Harry Lloyd). The two were exiled members of the family following Robert Baratheon's rebellion against Aerys II Targaryen. Following Viserys' death at the hands of Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), Daenerys uses her three dragons and Drogo's Dothraki army to mount a march to Westeros to reclaim her family's throne.
In a recent interview with Alcock on The Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon, the actor described how Rhaenyra is different from Game of Thrones' Daenerys. Alcock admitted that her character has a "certain playfulness" that she enjoyed but also notes that her character shifts as the years go on, as Rhaenyra begins to fully understand the political world around her. Read what Alcock had to say below.
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"I think Rhaenyra has a certain playfulness that was really fun to explore and we kind of see her allow herself to have fun. As she gets older, she understands what's at stake which means she behaves differently in certain situations but also means that she lets herself go and she doesn't have to be so serious. She learns how to read a room better within that, and it was so much fun just getting to be cheeky."
Alcock points out a few key differences between Rhaenyra and Daenerys that are evident within both shows. Rhaenyra is born into wealth and power, she is given privilege at a young age and is also expected to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. However, due to her comfort, she at first acts like a child and wants to ride dragons and enjoy herself. Daenerys, who is born after Aerys II was overthrown, had a much harsher life as a young woman. She was forced to marry for power and never got to experience the proper childhood she should have been afforded.
However, Alcock seemingly notes some similarities between the two characters as well. As both grow older, they both begin to understand the way of the world. Although Rhaenyra has been anointed by the king as his successor to the throne, the princess understands that her future is not hers to decide simply because she is a woman. She is expected to marry with another powerful house to maintain alliances while her younger brother ascends in her place. Although still young, Rhaenyra appears to begin to understand that the world is run by men, and if a woman wants any kind of power, she must take it by any means necessary. This is a lesson Daenerys learned through betrayal and bloodshed, something Rhaenyra will likely face as House of the Dragon continues.
