House of the Dragon takes after Game of Thrones, which introduces several characters with complex histories who serve as antagonists to the fantasy drama. Cersei was undoubtedly a vicious villain throughout her eight-season run on Game of Thrones. However, her love for her children was one thing that allowed the audience to empathize with her character.
Olivia Cooke, who plays a similar role to Lena Headey’s Cersei, says she based her portrayal on a similar mindset to the Lannister Queen. During an interview with DeadlineCooke discussed her role as Alicent Hightower and how she wants people to see the character who helped usurp the throne from Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy).
“I’ve never played her as a villain. I know she makes morally questionable decisions and her reactions can be quite brutal to say the least. But I have to believe in what she’s doing to play her with absolute honesty and truth.” Cook explains. “I have to really empathize with Alicent and know that she comes from a place of undying love and protection for her children. I think the internet discourse can be a little too black and white sometimes.” Of course, characters within the thrones universe created by George RR Martin are many things, but black and white is not one of them. “I read a tweet that I think sums it up very well: ‘It’s not about who is right and who is evil, but who your favorite war criminal is.”
Cooke believes her relationship with King Viserys was real love
The relationship between Alicent and King Viserys (Paddy Considine) started off awkwardly. Alicent was 14 at the time (played by Emily Carey), while her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), continued his plans to marry his daughter to the king. Despite their colossal age difference, Olivia Cooke tells Deadline that her character eventually grew into a form of love for Viserys.
“I think she did. I think she really started to love him. I don’t think she’s ever been in love with him. I don’t think she respected him as king,” Cooke explains. “I think she thought he was weak. But I think she respected him as a father and as a good and decent person. He treated her as well as a man can when he marries a 14-year-old.”
Unfortunately, the king’s reign ended and the line of succession was immediately challenged by Otto and later Alicent. Her son, Aegon II, was named heir to the Iron Throne, which would set in motion the events leading up to the inevitable Targaryen Civil War known as the Dance of the Dragons. Although the first season has ended, fans have a lot to look forward to when House of the Dragon returns to HBO and HBO Max.