Cast changes are sometimes necessary, but was it really needed in HBO’s House of the Dragon?
The sequel to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, has proved to be a stellar fantasy epic so far. The emphasis on the Targaryen lineage has worked wonders for a series that was, in its latter seasons, criticized for its lack of focus. Like many GoT fans, I’ve been enjoying the new direction in which House of the Dragon is heading – particularly after the bitter taste that GoT‘s Season 8 left me.
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However, it’s not all smooth sailing for the Targaryens. Episode 6 marked a clear before and after for the show – one that could spell trouble for the series in the long run.
Beware of the spoilers ahead, as they take us a decade into the future for those who haven’t seen episode 6 yet.
Changing Faces
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Remember Jaqen H’ghar? The Faceless Men could alter their entire physical appearance to deceive their targets. Unfortunately for Hollywood execs, no actor has been able to do this (yet). When your story calls for a ten-year time skip, you’ll inevitably encounter continuity issues with the looks of younger characters.
The Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower House of the Dragon cast change might have sounded like a harmless idea, but never underestimate the power of fans’ attachment, especially when Milly Alcock and Emily Carey were delivering such outstanding performances.
It gets even worse when you consider that Alcock might as well be the face of the series for non-fans, so imagine their shock when they hear that the main character is only in the show for five episodes.
House of the Dragon‘s narrative demands some considerable cast changes, that might be true. However, I can’t help but feel like it could have been done more tastefully, and I think I’ve found the show that does this sort of thing best: Netflix’s The Crown.
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Exploring a Lineage
![house of the dragon cast change](https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/house-of-the-dragon-cast-change-1-770x578.jpeg)
Unlike Game of Thrones‘ focus on multiple Houses, House Targaryen is undoubtedly the star of the show in House of the Dragon. Seeing the actors age in their roles and live through the traumatic experiences that lead to the fall of one of the most powerful Houses in all of Westeros makes for outstanding entertainment, but it also takes a toll on the actors.
Perhaps the House of the Dragon cast change would have been less traumatic for fans if it was in the same vein as The Crown: time skips and inevitable recasts would only happen between seasons. This would certainly help fans digest that some of the characters they know and love now look completely different.
The only downside to this approach is that, inevitably, different actors will lend different visions of the same character to audiences. Between episodes 5 and 6, it seems like Rhaenyra (now Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent (Olivia Cooke) are completely different characters.
I can’t help but think that maybe it would have been better if Miguel Sapochnik and Ryan Condal took some liberties with the source material when it comes to the age of the characters. Perhaps this would have allowed Milly Alcock and Emily Carey to keep playing the same characters for the duration of the show, with just a hint of makeup and movie magic to achieve an older look.
All that said, it’s still a bit early to declare that House of the Dragon has been “ruined” by the cast change. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with the new actresses moving forward, and how they adapt to the fantastic prequel story we’ve been seeing so far.
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Why why why. Should have never changed actresses. You made them look like they jumped 30 years. Worst idea ever
Omg!! What did they do? What a F-up to change characters. Some good old fashioned makeup would have done the trick for the 10 year time jump. Look at the movie “Benjamin Buttons”, they changed the age on Brad Pitt so many years and several times throughout. Why couldn’t they… Read more »
This was such a bad idea. It ruined it. Everything about the characters are changed. What on earth were the producers thinking?
I agree . A total mess up. I am giving up watching this. They should know people have choices . Good luck dragons casts.
I like it but prefer the old characters and the fact they aged some and not all was weird may have made more sense to age all with makeup and affects
The short of it…..series started off good and is now ruined with the cast changes. Unbelievable with what makeup artists can do today that the original actors couldn’t have remained on the show. Bad decision.
Could have been so good but actor change was ridiculous as facial appearance and personality completely different.
Tried next episode but just didn’t work for me , just confusing as to what was going on with all chemistry lost .
Enthralled to exasperated in one episode.
Show started out great, that ten year jump and cast change ruined it for me.
Ugg!! I added HBO Max for nothing. Id rather watch the first 5 again and quit.
Completely agree for the Rhaenyra role. All of the amazing chemistry and passion that they built up for 5 episodes went poof, gone with the new Rhaenyra. After all of the build up, fans deserved to see them finally get together snd experience all of the longing, pain, passion, etc.… Read more »
Character change blows. I will not watch now. Very angry.
I quit watching I was so mad?
I agree, I really enjoyed the show and the skill from the actors really brought their characters to life. All of a sudden, we have a 10 year time jump with unrecognisable actors that share no similar traits to their younger selves. It’s honestly just ruined the show for me… Read more »
I agree, I really enjoyed the show and the skill from the actors really brought their characters to life. All of a sudden, we have a 10 year time jump with unrecognisable actors that share no similar traits to their younger selves. It’s honestly just ruined the show for me… Read more »
To change characters is one thing, but to keep one preserved (Christian) and,,,,to have a strong 17/yo convert into a weak and timid adult kissing up to a woman who was once her soft friend. Rhayerna didn’t care about pleasing others or about losing the crown.
Really disappointed when Milly Alcok was replaced, she was briliant and was just creating her character, that was going to be a strong Queen.
Just can’t get into the changes.
Why women replaced and not men. Not even the soldier who was also young
Exactly! At least some gray hair on Christian…he had a grudge for ten years which would age anyone
Really too bad the series has suddenly changed two major characters were recast. So wrong about what they did, now it’s too late to undo what was done. Unfortunately I will no longer be watching the was good series, they ruined it for me. Goodbye House of the Dragon.
Yep, sadly i will have to agree. The show became a complete lackluster affair by the changes of Alicent and Rhaenyra. The new actors just lack presence and intensity in their roles and the overall dynamic is all wrong now. I don’t think I will continue watching it. Use makeup… Read more »
The recasting of Rhaenyra = huge mistake. Milly Alcok was brilliant in the role and could easily have been aged up 5 years (she is 22 IRL). The new actress doesn’t look like her, act like her, or seem to have anything at all in common with the younger version… Read more »
Absolutely couldn’t agree more
Totally ruined this series for me and obviously many others I couldn’t follow episode 6 as it was so confusing The vivacious nature and inner strength of both princess and queen are now lost with the replacements People invest in a character and the passion of the younger 2 is… Read more »
Awful I didn’t know who was who what a stupid decision to make. Fire everyone involved in the change. I’m going to go watch the Lord of the Rings new show. HBooO
terrible idea really ruined the show
They just cut their viewers in half. Maybe less!!
Agree with all the comments above. Series totally ruined. Why can’t the female leads age like the men! Matt Smith hasn’t aged at all.
Totally agree with all the above comments. Completely ruined for me.
Why can the men be aged and not the women? The new female characters are not nearly as good. It’s true that Matt Smith hadn’t aged at all!
So disappointed. I wasn’t overly attached to the former actresses (but one was the literal face of the series – and both were doing a great job), but it was just so confusing. I had no idea that was Rhaenyra in the beginning of episode 6. The confusion was only… Read more »
Completely ruined a must watch show for me. I feel ripped off by the director. Actually had to stop episode 6 and re-watch episode 5 because I was so confused and certain I missed something. But I didn’t. This is worse than star wars directors rushing story lines which was… Read more »
I am severely disappointed. When I started watching it, I thought they were going back in time to show Rhaenyra being born for some reason. I rewatched the beginning 3-4 times thinking I missed something. Then I had to stop it to see WTF happened by googling it and then… Read more »
You Will lose many viewers because of this
Unnecessary change
It was awful and the timing was off no explanation and come on with make up The original two actresses could’ve continued as fans we started to love their personalities and be vested in it and I think the writers are arrogant to think they could just replace them and… Read more »
I almost liked the show at the end if 5th episode but the new cast and this leap ruined everything successfully. I just turned it off as it all came back to the boring scenes. How all these people that are paid an unbelievable amount of money can let this… Read more »
I almost liked the show at the end if 5th episode vut the new cast and this leap ruined everything successfully, I just turned it off as it all came back to the boring scenes. How all these people that are paid an unbelievable amoynt of money can let this… Read more »
It was awful awful awful soooooo disappointing!!!!!!
So disappointed. I too was confused for a while at the start of Episode 6 – thought I was watching another series! As a huge GOT fan (still saddened by the empty ending of an epic tale in Season 8), this feels similar. I don’t know if I can be… Read more »
I totally agree. HBO dropped the ball. The recast ruins the continuity and attachment that you develop for the characters.
I struggled with the ending of GoT so I was not going to even give House of The Dragon a watch. I did though and was enjoying it until episode 6. I agree with comments posted. The cast changes were totally unnecessary I for one will not be wasting any… Read more »
Why did the writers think this would work?? No explanation AT ALL??
This is horrible!!!! The new actors are not good or as attractive.. it’s confusing.. I am gravely disappointed
That’s my biggest issue…the girl who plays rhaenyra now isn’t nearly as pretty or as conniving as the original. I absolutely loved the younger one…her chemistry with Matt Smith was too hot to change cast…im giving it until I see the chemistry between Darcy and Smith before I ultimately decide… Read more »
I loved the first 5 episodes and can’t get through the 6th. Unbelievable how fast the show was ruined for me. Loved the princess and the Queen.
Spent half the episode trying to figure what the hell was going on before I realized there was a time shift. No sure why they didn’t relay this to the audience at the beginning. I found it difficult to follow along with the plot and keep the characters straight, which… Read more »
Disappointed… I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I was so confused!
I turned on episode 6 and wondered who these strange new people were. The king, almost at death’s door had miraculously lived through it all and hadn’t aged a bit, apart from a bit less hair and why did Ser Christian Cole not age a day. Very strange HBO and… Read more »
HBO spend 6 episodes introducing the characters to – boom 10 year jump and replace them. Yet Mat Smiths not aged, the king has PVA glue on his face and the Queens saucy man looks younger to me. HBO I think you just did an own goal (or killed the… Read more »
its a soap opera. Maybe the book does it justice but HBO does not.
The show is ruined and not sure I will watch any longer.
I agree! I am shocked and dissapointed they changed such a strong and beautiful actress for one who looks sooo different, not good. The princess now has 4 children? They aged the king-why not his daughter? And the queen and Rhaenyras husband looks like different actor too? Bad idea HBO… Read more »
Wow!! How disappointing. After spending half our time trying to figure out who the new people were we ask why? Completely ruined it for us. We grew attached to the “old” cast and are so cheesed off we won’t bother continuing now.
yep exactly i feel like this cant have been made on purpose i see no reason to take such a risk. it brings nothing but confusion and disappointment and as you said people dont even change that much visually in the 20-30 years range, i tried to watch that episode… Read more »
Warning: Spoilers for those that haven’t read the books. The actress that played the young Rhaenyra did a really good job. And one issue there, in my opinion, is that it seems like the actress playing the adult actress didn’t study how the younger actress interpreted the character. It’s like… Read more »
Exactly how I viewed it!
SPOT ON! You nailed it! I felt everything you said to the t….
Exactly how I viewed it!