Game of Thrones star, Emilia Clarke recently explained why she will not watch the spinoff prequel series, House of the Dragon. Debuting in 2011, the wildly-popular fantasy adventure series is based on the still-to-be-completed George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire novels. Clarke portrayed the Khaleesi Daenerys Targaryen, an exiled princess following a rebellion who subsequently amasses a large army to retake the throne she believes rightfully belongs to her family. Game of Thrones concluded its eight-season run in 2019, and has since spawned the equally popular prequel spinoff show, House of the Dragon, which explores the downfall of the House Targaryen nearly 200 years before the original series.
Speaking with Variety, Clarke claimed she never watched House of the Dragon, and admitted that she does not desire to do so. The actor called the idea "weird" and explained that the different yet familiar world would feel far too odd for her to sit through. Read all of what Clarke had to say below:
I just can’t do it. It’s so weird. It’s so strange. No! Can you [forgive me]? It’s too weird. I’m so happy it’s happening. I’m over the moon about all the awards… I just can’t do it. It’s so weird. It’s so strange. It’s kind of like someone saying, ‘You want to go to this school reunion that’s not your year? Want to go to that school reunion?’ That’s how it feels. I’m avoiding it.
What Other GOT Vets Have Said About House of the Dragon
Shortly after its release, Game of Thrones became an international sensation. With the series concluded, hype and expectations were high for House of the Dragon. Many Game of Thrones alums eventually shared their opinions on the show, with most praising it and calling it a worthy successor.
Kit Harington, who portrayed King of the North Jon Snow on Game of Thrones, called the prequel series "fantastic" and gave nothing but high praise for House of the Dragon co-showrunner and former colleague Miguel Sapochik. Jamie Lannister actor, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, also singled out his character's ancestors, the twins Lord Jason and Ser Tyland Lannister, and playfully regarded them as "smug." Martin, who is a producer on the series, celebrated the adaptation and applauded the performances from the ensemble cast. The author even admitted that he thought Paddy Considine's performance as Viserys I Targaryen is better than the character he wrote in his Targaryen history tome, Fire & Blood.
What to Expect from House of the Dragon Season 2
House of the Dragon is set nearly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and depicts the conflict that tears the House Targaryen apart, leading to the familial war known as the Dance of the Dragons. With Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) as ruler of Westeros following a coup orchestrated by Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Viserys' appointed heir, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) declares herself Queen. With Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) killing Prince Lucerys Verlaryon (Elliot Grihault) in the season 1 finale, Rhaenyra will show no mercy to the usurpers. With House of Dragon slated for season 2 in 2024, audiences will see the full might of the House Targaryen on display when the Dance of the Dragons commences.
Source: Variety