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House of the Dragon turned into one of those shows everyone seems to bring up, no matter the circle. It carries the Game of Thrones legacy, but somehow builds its own noise. Old fans stayed around, new ones joined in, pulled by the weight of dragons, betrayals, and the constant rivalries. In the middle of all that, Olivia Cooke started standing out as Alicent Hightower. The part gave her visibility, recognition too, but it also opened a door to a different side of fame, admiration mixed with a kind of hostility that kept following her outside the screen
The prominence of House of the Dragon goes beyond its narrative. It reflects the weight of being part of a franchise that has consistently shaped the television landscape. Each new season brings with it debates, predictions, and close scrutiny from a global fan base that follows every detail of Westeros. For Cooke, this environment is both a stage for professional growth and a reminder of how intense fandom reactions can be.
Statements to The Hollywood Reporter
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cooke spoke about the pressure of portraying such a divisive character and the hostile reactions that sometimes reach her directly. She recalled situations in which fans asked for a photo and then added comments like “We HATE your character!”. She summarized her frustration with the remark:
“Some of the fans have been f*cking horrible to our cast.”
She added:
“It makes me really angry that we’re then supposed to just bow down and [pay] obeisance to these people that only want to say the most debased, hate-filled things.”
Protecting the character Alicent
Despite the criticism, Cooke demonstrates empathy for Alicent’s path in the story. She explained that she feels sorry for the character, describing her as someone molded by a patriarchal system.
“I feel f*cking sorry for her. I feel she’s grown up into this patriarchal system and she’s been brainwashed by her father to honor this lineage.”
The statement highlights how Cooke interprets Alicent not just as a participant in political intrigues but as a woman whose choices are heavily shaped by circumstance.
The parallel with the real world
The actress also connected these experiences to broader issues outside fiction. Cooke pointed out that the hostility directed at her character reflects existing social structures and ongoing misogyny. She mentioned examples such as women in Afghanistan being deprived of basic rights and the rise of figures like Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson. She summarized the point by saying:
“Despite the adversity, we are f*cking incredible — and that makes straight men insane.”
Support from colleagues
Cooke said the weight isn’t just on her. Emma D’Arcy feels it too, stepping in as Rhaenyra. Matt Smith, with Daemon, is the same thing. The fans don’t always hold back. She mentioned how the cast keeps close, checking in, leaning on each other. That kind of bond, small but steady, ends up being a shield. Because the show pulls out huge emotions, bigger than expected sometimes, and they hit hard, louder than anyone on set can control.
Expectations for what comes next in House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon continues with a weekly release strategy that fuels discussions on social media platforms. The second season reached 8.9 million viewers across platforms in its finale in the United States, according to Warner Bros. Discovery. The third season is currently in production in 2025, with Cooke already back on set. When asked about the direction of the new episodes, she replied with humor:
“No worries about all the big fighty, fighty, dragon, dragon stuff.”
Impact and legacy
Cooke’s words underline how playing a character in House of the Dragon goes beyond performance. By defending Alicent, she connects the fictional conflicts of Westeros with real social debates, such as gender inequality and the treatment of women in positions of influence. Her perspective shows the difficulty of separating fiction from reality when reactions from audiences take on a personal tone.
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Conclusion
House of the Dragon moves forward with the third season in progress and a fourth season planned to close the narrative. The global reach of the series remains strong, but Cooke’s remarks serve as a reminder of the personal consequences of toxic fandom. By calling attention to the hostility and at the same time showing compassion for Alicent, the actress provides a grounded reflection on respect and the human side of those who bring these characters to life.
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